Rickey Henderson, celebrated as the greatest leadoff hitter and base stealer in Major League Baseball history, passed away on Friday at the age of 65. His family confirmed his death in a statement released Saturday evening, celebrating his legacy both on and off the field.
“A legend on and off the field, Rickey was a devoted son, dad, friend, grandfather, brother, uncle, and a truly humble soul,” the statement from Henderson’s wife, Pamela, and his three daughters said. “Rickey lived his life with integrity, and his love for baseball was paramount. Now, Rickey is at peace with the Lord, cherishing the extraordinary moments and achievements he leaves behind.” The family expressed gratitude towards the medical staff at UCSF hospital for their care during his final days but did not disclose the cause of death.
Henderson’s career was nothing short of legendary, spanning 25 years across nine different teams. Known for his fearless and flamboyant style, he brought an electrifying energy to baseball, a sport often criticized for its traditionalism. His record-breaking achievements include the all-time record for stolen bases with 1,406, surpassing Lou Brock’s previous mark by a staggering 468 bases. Henderson also set records for the most stolen bases in a single season (130 in 1982), leading the league in steals 12 times, and achieving this feat for seven consecutive years. Remarkably, at the age of 39 in 1998, he became the oldest player to lead the American League in steals with 66.
Beyond his speed, Henderson combined a sharp eye at the plate with unexpected power, hitting 297 home runs, including an MLB record of 81 leadoff home runs. He finished his career with 3,055 hits, and at the time of his retirement, he held the records for runs scored (2,295) and walks (2,190), the latter since surpassed by Barry Bonds.
His accolades include 10 All-Star selections and a career Wins Above Replacement (WAR) of 111.1, ranking him third among players from the past half-century, behind only Bonds and Alex Rodriguez, both of whom were later linked to performance-enhancing drugs. Henderson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on his first ballot in 2009, with an impressive 94.8% of the vote.
Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson once lauded Henderson’s prowess, stating, “He’s one of the top 10 to 12 players of all time. That’s how good Rickey was.” Similarly, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred paid tribute to Henderson, describing him as “the gold standard of base stealing and leadoff hitting,” and noting that recent rule changes aimed to encourage base stealing were inspired by Henderson’s era.
Henderson’s impact on baseball was also recognized in his two World Series championships with the Oakland Athletics in 1989 and the Toronto Blue Jays in 1993, along with his 1990 American League MVP award. His journey from the sandlots of Oakland to the pinnacle of baseball history will be remembered as one of the sport’s most vibrant and influential stories.