Major League Baseball (MLB) Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson has passed away at the age of 65, according to TMZ. Henderson died in Oakland, California, on Friday following a brief hospitalization for pneumonia, the outlet reported.
RIP Rickey Henderson 🙏
▫️10x All-Star
▫️2x World Series Champion
▫️All-Time Stolen Base Leader
▫️All-Time Runs Scored Leader
▫️1990 AL MVP
▫️3x Silver Slugger
▫️First Ballot Hall of Famer pic.twitter.com/CkhCrVj9sl— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) December 21, 2024
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Fellow MLB stars and fans mourned the loss of one of baseball’s greatest players.
Former teammate and Hall of Famer Dave Winfield expressed his grief on Instagram, writing, “I still cannot believe I’ve lost one of my favorite teammates and great friend Rickey Henderson. Rest in peace.”
Similarly, All-Star player Ozzie Guillén shared on X, “RIP Rickey my condolences to the Henderson family. One of the best to ever do it.”
RIP Rickey my condolences to the Henderson family. One of the best to ever do it.
— Ozzie Guillen (@OzzieGuillen) December 21, 2024
Henderson’s remarkable MLB career spanned 25 years, beginning in 1979 with the Oakland Athletics and concluding with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2003.
He also played for the Yankees, Blue Jays, Mets, and Padres, among other teams.
Over his career, Henderson earned 10 All-Star selections, recorded 3,055 hits, hit 297 home runs, and maintained a .279 batting average.
He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009.
Henderson remains the MLB record-holder for career runs scored, with 2,295 runs, and stolen bases, with 1,406 steals, earning him the nickname “Man of Steal.” His unmatched ability on the basepaths was evident early in his career.
In 1982, Henderson set the single-season record with 130 stolen bases, a feat that still stands today.
The Chicago-born athlete was celebrated for his exceptional speed and charisma on the field.
Comedian Andrew Rivers paid tribute to Henderson’s legacy on social media, writing, “Do you think Rickey Henderson will still go to heaven after he stole all those bases? RIP legend.”
Do you think Rickey Henderson will still go to heaven after he stole all those bases? RIP legend.
— Andrew Rivers (@andrewjrivers) December 21, 2024
Most recently, Henderson was honored by the Oakland A’s on September 20 during his bobblehead night.
In a memorable moment, Henderson caught the ceremonial first pitch thrown by his daughter, Adrianna, before the two embraced, as captured in a widely shared video.
Rickey Henderson caught the ceremonial first pitch from his daughter on his bobblehead night! 🥹 pic.twitter.com/Wv80UCknA3
— MLB (@MLB) September 21, 2024
Henderson’s unique personality was also a defining part of his legacy. Known for speaking in the third person, he brought humor and charm to the game.
Fellow All-Star Will “The Thrill” Clark shared anecdotes about Henderson’s famous illeism during a conversation with San Francisco radio outlet KNBR. “Rickey, when he was at first base, he always talked in the third person…‘Hey Thrill, Rickey here!’” Clark recounted.
Even in death, Henderson’s larger-than-life persona shone through in tributes.
The Fourteen Twenty Sports Bar Podcast humorously noted, “If Rickey Henderson passed away Rickey would be the first to let us know. That’s how great Rickey is!”
If Rickey Henderson passed away Rickey would be the first to let us know. That’s how great Rickey is! pic.twitter.com/A5M4bIlZS9
— Fourteen Twenty Sports Bar Podcast (@_FourteenTwenty) December 21, 2024
Rickey Henderson’s impact on baseball and the hearts of fans will be remembered for generations.
From his unparalleled achievements on the field to his charismatic personality, he leaves behind a legacy that cements him as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
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