Baseball Legend Rickey Henderson Passes Away at 65

Rickey Henderson, a member of the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame and the league’s all-time stolen base leader, has passed away at the age of 65, his family confirmed in a statement.

The baseball legend died in the Oakland, California area on Friday after contracting pneumonia, according to a report from TMZ.

Super Sky Point to Rickey Henderson, the greatest leadoff man and base stealer to ever set foot on a baseball diamond. I’m stunned. Some guys seem larger than mortality. Rickey was one of them. #RIP pic.twitter.com/CFnizuJAog

— Super 70s Sports (@Super70sSports) December 21, 2024

Henderson’s lengthy MLB career began in 1979 with the Oakland Athletics — with whom he accomplished the heights of his career — and ended in 2003 with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The legendary leadoff man ultimately spent four stints with the Athletics, the first coming from 1979-1984 before a multi-year stint with the New York Yankees. He returned to the Athletics 1989-1993 before returning to the team a year later after a short run with the Toronto Blue Jays.

A 10-time All-Star, Henderson shattered a number of MLB stolen base records, both in terms of single season performance and all-time totals. Henderson set the modern record for stolen bases in 1982, when he swiped 130 bags. He also retired as the league’s all-time leader in stolen bases, a record he will likely hold forever barring changes to base-running rules.

With 1,406 steals, Henderson is the only player in MLB history to surpass 1,000 stolen bags. Fellow Hall of Famer Lou Brock, who retired in 1979, trails Henderson in a distant second with 938 career steals.

Not a single active MLB player has more than 354 stolen bases.

In addition to the stolen base record, Henderson is all-time leader in runs scored, unintentional walks, and leadoff home runs. He is also a member of the elusive 3,000-hit club after finishing his career with 3,055. In 2009, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

One of my favorite Rickey Henderson stories

RIP legend pic.twitter.com/LynMqtsWgj

— JohnRocker (@itsJohnRocker) December 21, 2024

He played with nine teams over a sprawling 25-year career, which included 14 seasons with the Oakland Athletics.

Condolences and tributes for Henderson have poured in from across the baseball world. “I still cannot believe I’ve lost one of my favorite teammates and great friend Rickey Henderson. Rest in peace,” said Yankees legend Dave Winfield.

There has never been a more dynamic baseball player, an almost impossible combination of speed, power, and flair. Rest in peace, Rickey Henderson. You most certainly were the greatest of all time. pic.twitter.com/P2uUIWPgcx

— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) December 21, 2024