Dave Stewart honors his late friend Rickey Henderson with a heartfelt tribute reflecting on their lifelong bond and shared baseball journey
Oakland: The baseball community is feeling the loss of Rickey Henderson, a true legend. His lifelong friend, Dave Stewart, shared a heartfelt message that really hit home. Stewart reminisced about their journey together, from Little League to the big leagues.
He expressed how hard it is to cope with losing someone who was part of every memory. Stewart said, “Rickey was the best ball player, but more than that, he was like a brother to me.” It’s clear their bond was something special.
Stewart and Henderson were key players for the Athletics during their championship run in 1989. They spent years together, and their friendship only grew stronger. Stewart couldn’t believe the news of Henderson’s passing. “We’ve known each other practically our entire lives,” he said.
Interestingly, Stewart shared that Henderson wasn’t always the superstar we know today. He mentioned that in their younger days, Henderson was still figuring things out. “He was better at football than baseball back then,” Stewart recalled. It’s amazing to think about how far he came.
Stewart, who won three World Series titles, cherishes the moment when their numbers were retired together by the Athletics. “That was a big deal for me,” he said, reflecting on their shared journey from Oakland kids to baseball legends.
Henderson had an incredible 25-year MLB career, playing for several teams, but he’ll always be remembered for his time with the Athletics. He made his debut in 1979 and quickly became a force in the league, earning All-Star honors and setting records.
With 2,295 runs scored, he holds the MLB record, along with impressive stats like 297 home runs and 1,115 RBIs. His legacy will live on, and Stewart’s tribute is a beautiful reminder of their friendship and the impact Henderson had on the game.