Rickey Henderson, the iconic leadoff hitter, passed away in Oakland at 65 after battling pneumonia, leaving behind a legendary baseball legacy.
Oakland: It’s a sad day for baseball fans. Rickey Henderson, the greatest leadoff hitter ever, has passed away at 65. He fought pneumonia, and sadly, it took him from us.
Rickey was a true legend. Over his 24-year career, he stole a jaw-dropping 1,406 bases and scored 2,295 runs. He was a 10-time All-Star and even won two World Series. In 2009, he got into the Hall of Fame on his first try, which is no small feat.
He was born on Christmas Day in 1958, and he often joked about how he came into the world fast, just like he played the game. Growing up in the Bay Area, he was a star athlete in high school but chose baseball after his mom encouraged him. The A’s picked him in the fourth round of the 1976 draft, and he made his debut in 1979.
Rickey was known for his fearless baserunning. In 1982, he set a record with 130 stolen bases in a single season, a record that still stands today. He broke Lou Brock’s career stolen base record in 1991, solidifying his status as the all-time leader.
Former A’s GM Billy Beane said it best: “Rickey was the greatest leadoff hitter of all time. There’s no debate.” He played for nine teams, but his heart was always with the A’s, where he spent 14 seasons. They even renamed the field at the Oakland Coliseum in his honor in 2017.
Rickey had a colorful personality. He often spoke about himself in the third person and had some memorable quotes. One of my favorites is, “If my uniform doesn’t get dirty, I haven’t done anything in the baseball game.”
His passing hits hard, especially for Oakland fans, as the A’s are set to leave the city soon. He’s survived by his wife, Pamela, and their three kids. He’ll be missed, but his legacy will live on.