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Rickey Henderson, the legendary Major League Baseball Hall of Famer and record-holder for career stolen bases, has passed away at the age of 65, as confirmed by MLB on Saturday.
MLB Commissioner Robert Manfred expressed condolences in a statement, recognizing Henderson as “the gold standard of base stealing and leadoff hitting.”
“Rickey was one of the most accomplished and beloved players in the history of the Athletics,” Manfred noted. “His influence extended beyond Oakland, reshaping the game during a remarkable 25-year career. Rickey embodied the essence of speed and power, and he left an indelible mark on the way the game is played. His legacy was a reference point as we evaluated new rules in recent times.”
Henderson, who would have celebrated his 66th birthday on Christmas Day, leaves behind a profound legacy. The cause of his death has not been disclosed. His wife, Pamela Henderson, shared a heartfelt message through the Oakland Athletics, highlighting him as “a devoted son, dad, friend, grandfather, brother, uncle, and a truly humble soul.”
She also conveyed gratitude on behalf of the family to MLB, the Oakland A’s, and the dedicated medical staff at UCSF, stating, “Your prayers and kindness mean more than words can express.”
A native of Chicago, Henderson is revered as one of the premier players to wear the Athletics’ uniform, celebrated for his prowess as a leadoff hitter and base stealer. Over his impressive 25-year career, he achieved 2,055 hits, 297 home runs, and 1,115 RBIs, with Major League records of 1,406 stolen bases and 2,295 career runs scored.
A 10-time All-Star, Henderson was awarded the league MVP in 1990 during his primary tenure with the A’s, where he spent a total of 14 years across four different terms. His career also included significant spells with the New York Yankees and New York Mets, as well as brief stints with the San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays, Anaheim Angels, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Henderson earned two World Series championships: one with the Athletics in 1989 and another with the Blue Jays in 1993. Following his retirement from playing, he briefly took on a coaching role with the Mets.
Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame as a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 2009, Henderson’s achievements were further honored just days later when the Athletics retired his jersey number.
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