Rickey Henderson Dies

A professional baseball left fielder who played 25 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for nine teams from 1979 to 2003

Rickey Henderson, born on December 25, 1958, in Chicago, Illinois, was raised in Oakland, California. An exceptional athlete, he excelled as an All-American running back in high school but chose baseball over football, signing with the Oakland Athletics in 1976. Rickey Henderson began his minor league career in 1976 with the Boise A’s1 of the Northwest League, where he batted an impressive .336 and stole 29 bases in 46 games, showcasing his speed and hitting potential.

In 1977, he played for the Modesto A’s2 in the California League, excelling with a .345 batting average and a staggering 95 stolen bases in 134 games, cementing his reputation as a base-stealing threat. The following year, he moved up to Double-A with the Jersey City A’s3 in the Eastern League, where he hit .274 and stole 81 bases over 134 games, continuing to refine his game against tougher competition.

In 1979, Henderson joined the Ogden A’s4 of the Pacific Coast League at the Triple-A level, batting .309 with a .423 on-base percentage and 44 stolen bases in 71 games before being called up to the Oakland Athletics later that year. In his first full MLB season in 1980, Henderson broke Ty Cobb’s American League stolen base record by swiping 100 bases. He continued to dominate on the basepaths, setting the single-season MLB record with 130 stolen bases in 1982.

Traded to the New York Yankees before the 1985 season, Henderson continued to showcase his speed and power, becoming the Yankees’ all-time stolen base leader during his tenure. Henderson returned to the Athletics in 1989, playing a pivotal role in their World Series championship that year.

Bio and Stats

  • Left Fielder , Batted: Right, Threw: Left
  • Batting average .279
  • Hits 3,055
  • Home runs 297
  • Runs batted in 1,115
  • Stolen bases 1,406
  • Runs 2,295
  • All-Star 10 times
  • Worlds Series Champion in 1989 and 1993
  • Ameican League stolen base leader 12 times
  • Baseball Hall of Famer inducted 2009

He earned the American League MVP award in 1990, further solidifying his legacy. In July 1993, Henderson was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays, contributing to their World Series victory that year. Henderson rejoined the Athletics in 1994, continuing to be a significant offensive threat with his exceptional on-base skills and base-stealing prowess.

Signing with the San Diego Padres in 1996, Henderson led the National League in stolen bases. He was traded to the Anaheim Angels in August 1997, where he finished the season. Henderson returned to the Athletics in 1998, leading the majors in stolen bases at age 39, becoming the oldest player to do so. Henderson signed with the New York Mets in 1999, helping them reach the postseason.

After being released in 2000, he joined the Seattle Mariners, becoming one of the few players to hit a home run in four different decades. In 2001 with the Padres, Henderson broke several major league records, including career walks and runs scored, and collected his 3,000th hit.

He played the 2002 season with the Boston Red Sox. Henderson began 2003 with the Newark Bears of the independent Atlantic League before being signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he played his final MLB games. His last major league game was on September 19, 2003; he was hit by a pitch in his only plate appearance, and came around to score his 2,295th run. After Rickey Henderson’s last Major League Baseball game with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2003,

he continued his career briefly in independent baseball, playing for the Newark Bears5 of the Atlantic League. With the Bears, he demonstrated that his skills were still sharp, batting .339 and stealing 37 bases in 56 games, further solidifying his love for the game and his legendary endurance. Despite expressing interest in returning to the majors, no MLB team signed him, leading Henderson to officially announce his retirement on July 13, 2007,

during a ceremony honoring the 25th anniversary of his single-season stolen base record. Two years later, Henderson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009, receiving 94.8% of the vote on his first ballot. His speech reflected his iconic confidence and charisma,

emphasizing his passion for baseball and his belief in his unique style of play, leaving an enduring legacy as one of the greatest players in MLB history. The same year his number 24 was retired by the Oakland Athletics. After retiring as a player, Rickey Henderson transitioned to coaching,

bringing his wealth of experience and unparalleled base-stealing expertise to younger players. He served as a special instructor for the Oakland Athletics during spring training, working closely with prospects and established players to improve their baserunning and offensive strategies. Known for his meticulous approach to stealing bases and reading pitchers, Henderson became a valuable mentor, emphasizing the mental aspects of the game as much as the physical.

MLB Records

  • 1,406 career stolen bases
  • 2,295 career runs
  • 130 stolen bases, single season

My favorite hero was Muhammad Ali. He said one time, quote, I am the greatest, end of quote. That was something I always wanted to be, and now that the (Baseball Writers’ Association of America) has voted me into the Baseball Hall of Fame, my journey as a player is complete. I am now in the class of the greatest players of all time, and at this moment, I am very, very humbled.

Rickey Henderson

While he never pursued a full-time managerial position, his contributions as a consultant and instructor reflected his passion for teaching and his desire to see the next generation excel. His coaching role allowed him to remain connected to the sport he loved, ensuring that his innovative techniques and competitive spirit continued to influence baseball.

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of my husband, Rickey Henderson. A legend on and off the field, Rickey was a devoted son, dad, friend, grandfather, brother, uncle, and a truly humble soul. 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. We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, support, and heartfelt memories from family, friends, and fans — all of which have brought immense comfort. We also extend our sincere gratitude to MLB, the Oakland A’s, and the incredible doctors and nurses at UCSF who cared for Rickey with dedication and compassion. Your prayers and kindness mean more than words can express. In this difficult time, we kindly ask for your respect and privacy as we adjust to life without Rickey, holding on to the legacy he left for all of us.

Pamela Henderson

He is widely regarded as one of the greatest leadoff hitters and baserunners in baseball history, holding MLB records for career stolen bases (1,406), runs scored (2,295), and leadoff home runs (81). In 1983, Henderson married his high-school sweetheart, Pamela. They had three children. Rickey Henderson passed away at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center, on Friday, December 20, 2024, at the age of 65, due to pneumonia.

Rickey Henderson is one of the greatest baseball players of all time. His on-field accomplishments speak for themselves, and his records will forever stand atop baseball history. He was undoubtedly the most legendary player in Oakland history and made an indelible mark on generations of A’s fans over his 14 seasons wearing the Green and Gold. For those who knew him personally, Rickey was much more than a franchise icon and a Baseball Hall of Famer. He was a friend and mentor to every player, coach, and employee who passed through the Oakland Coliseum or played a game on the field that came to bear his name. We are shocked and heartbroken by his passing. His loss will be felt not only by A’s fans but also by baseball fans around the world. The entire A’s organization sends its sincere condolences to Rickey’s family and loved ones at this time.

The Oakland Athletics

Footnotes
  1. The Boise A’s were a short-lived minor league baseball team based in Boise, Idaho, playing in the Class A Short Season Northwest League in 1975 and 1976 as an affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. Managed by Tom Trebelhorn, the team achieved a .500 record in their debut season and gained prominence in 1976 with the presence of a 17-year-old Rickey Henderson, who batted .336 and stole 29 bases in 46 games, showcasing his future Hall of Fame potential. Despite their on-field success, the Boise A’s struggled financially due to limited attendance and restrictions on beer sales at their high school home field, Borah Field. These challenges led to the team’s relocation to Medicine Hat, Alberta, after the 1976 season, where they became the Medicine Hat A’s. Although their tenure in Boise was brief, the team is remembered for reintroducing professional baseball to the city and for being an early stepping stone in Henderson’s legendary career. ↩︎
  2. The Modesto A’s were a Minor League Baseball team based in Modesto, California, that competed in the Class A-Advanced California League from 1975 to 2004 as an affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. During their tenure, the Modesto A’s developed numerous future Major League players, including stars like José Canseco and Mark McGwire. The team achieved significant success, securing multiple league championships and becoming a cornerstone of the Modesto sports community. In 2005, following the end of their affiliation with the Athletics, the franchise rebranded as the Modesto Nuts, aligning with the Colorado Rockies and later the Seattle Mariners, continuing Modesto’s rich baseball tradition under a new identity. ↩︎
  3. The Jersey City A’s were a Double-A minor league baseball team that played in the Eastern League during the 1978 season as an affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. Based in Jersey City, New Jersey, the team played its home games at Roosevelt Stadium. Managed by John Kennedy, the A’s finished the season with a 54-83 record, placing last in the league. Notably, future Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson was part of the roster, marking an early step in his illustrious career. Due to declining attendance and stadium issues, the franchise relocated to Waterbury, Connecticut, for the 1979 season, becoming the Waterbury A’s. This move marked the end of professional baseball in Jersey City, as Roosevelt Stadium was eventually demolished in 1985. ↩︎
  4. The Ogden A’s were a Triple-A minor league baseball team based in Ogden, Utah, that competed in the Pacific Coast League (PCL) during the 1979 and 1980 seasons as an affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. Playing their home games at John Affleck Park, the team was managed by José Pagán. In their inaugural season, the Ogden A’s achieved a 72-75 record, finishing fourth in the PCL’s Southern Division. Notably, future Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson played 71 games for Ogden in 1979 before making his Major League debut with Oakland in late June of that year. Despite the presence of emerging talent, the team faced challenges, including declining attendance, which contributed to the decision to relocate. After the 1980 season, the franchise was purchased by Peter Pocklington, owner of the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers, and moved to Edmonton, Alberta, becoming the Edmonton Trappers. The relocation marked the end of the Ogden A’s brief existence and professional baseball at John Affleck Park, which was later demolished. ↩︎
  5. The Newark Bears were a Minor League Baseball team based in Newark, New Jersey, that played in the International League from 1917 to 1949. The team gained prominence as a top affiliate of the New York Yankees, contributing to the development of several future Major League stars. Under manager Bill Killefer, the Bears enjoyed success, winning the league pennant and the Junior World Series in 1937. Despite their achievements, the franchise struggled financially, leading to their relocation to Springfield, Massachusetts, after the 1949 season. The departure marked the end of professional baseball in Newark for several decades. The Bears remain an important part of Newark’s baseball history, with their legacy continuing to be celebrated today. ↩︎
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Author: Doyle

I was born in Atlanta, moved to Alpharetta at 4, lived there for 53 years and moved to Decatur in 2016. I've worked at such places as Richway, North Fulton Medical Center, Management Science America (Computer Tech/Project Manager) and Stacy's Compounding Pharmacy (Pharmacy Tech).

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