As news of the passing of baseball legend Rickey Henderson spread Saturday, former teammates, players and others affiliated with the game expressed their condolences and shared their memories.
Henderson, a 10-time All-Star and the all-time stolen base leader, died on Friday at age 65 after a bout with pneumonia, multiple outlets reported.
“For multiple generations of baseball fans, Rickey Henderson was the gold standard of base stealing and leadoff hitting,” MLB commissioner Robert D. Manfred said. “Rickey was one of the most accomplished and beloved Athletics of all-time. He also made an impact with many other Clubs during a quarter-century career like no other. Rickey epitomized speed, power and entertainment in setting the tone at the top of the lineup. When we considered new rules for the game in recent years, we had the era of Rickey Henderson in mind.
“Rickey earned universal respect, admiration and awe from sports fans. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I send my deepest condolences to Rickey’s family, his friends and former teammates, A’s fans and baseball fans everywhere.”
Typified by an everlasting love of the game, the “Man of Steal” was inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009.
Fellow Hall of Famer Wade Boggs expressed his condolences, noting that Henderson would be dearly missed.
Sad day for our Hall of Fame family with the passing of Rickey Henderson one of the greatest to ever play the game you’ll be dearly missed Brother RIP Rickey ????
— Wade Boggs (@ChickenMan3010) December 21, 2024
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Henderson began his career with his hometown Oakland Athletics and also starred for the New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, Anaheim Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers over a 25-year career.
The Yankees released a statement, saying in part, “We will deeply miss Rickey for everything he brought to the game, and we offer our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Pamela, daughters Angela, Adrianna, and Alexis, and all his family and friends.”
Statement from the New York Yankees:
Rickey Henderson was an all-time great player who commanded our attention like few players before or since, transcending our traditional understanding of how elite and thrilling a single player could be in in the batter's box and on the… pic.twitter.com/qeduKLmoUO
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) December 21, 2024
Henderson left an impact on multiple sports organizations and communities, and many came forward with messages of condolences on Saturday, among them the Las Vegas Raiders (formerly of Oakland and Los Angeles), who posted to X, “The Raiders family mourns the passing of Rickey Henderson, baseball’s stolen base king and an East Bay legend.”
The Raiders Family mourns the passing of Rickey Henderson. pic.twitter.com/cbrNd1RgBN
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 21, 2024
Henderson had three seasons with at least 100 stolen bases, including 1982, when he swiped 130 bags to break Lou Brock’s modern-day record for a single season. He finished with 1,406 career steals to shatter Brock’s all-time mark of 938.
Henderson also hit 297 home runs with 1,115 RBIs. His 81 leadoff home runs are a major league record.
“Absolutely devastated to hear that Rickey Henderson passed away,” former major league outfielder Cameron Maybin said. “Prayers to his family. Truly grateful I was able to pick his brain and just soak up a little bit of the knowledge he passed on.”
Absolutely devastated to hear that Rickey Henderson passed away! Prayers to his family. Truly grateful I was able to pick his brain and just soak up a little bit of the knowledge he passed on. Sad day in sports, but legends never die! Rest easy Man of Steal. pic.twitter.com/sq4bA11ex1
— Cameron Maybin (@CameronMaybin) December 21, 2024
Several sports reporters and media personalities expressed their respects as well.
“There has never been a more dynamic baseball player, an almost impossible combination of speed, power, and flair,” ESPN’s Mike Greenberg said.
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
An Oakland, Calif., native, Henderson was drafted in the fourth round in 1976 by the Athletics. He made his major league debut in 1979, earned his first All-Star honors in 1980 and won his lone MVP award with Oakland in 1990.
Henderson was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2009 after winning World Series titles in 1989 (A’s) and 1993 (Blue Jays) while earning the American League Championship Series MVP in 1989. He also won a Gold Glove Award as an outfielder in 1981.
He would have turned 66 on Christmas Day.
–Field Level Media
