Rickey Henderson, MLB’s greatest base stealer, dies at 65
Henderson, a 10-time All-Star, spent the majority of his 14-year career with the Oakland Athletics.
Henderson will turn 66 on Christmas Day. He is reportedly battling pneumonia.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS NEWS ON FOXNEWS.COM
Rickey Henderson, former Oakland Athletics forward, before the MLB game against the St. Louis Cardinals at the Coliseum in Oakland, California on Monday, April 15, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Digital First Media/East Bay Times via Getty Images)
Henderson is also the all-time leader in scoring. He was named American League MVP in 1990 after leading the AL with a 1.016 OPS, 65 stolen bases and scoring 119 runs.
He played for the Yankees, Padres, Mets, Mariners, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Angels and Dodgers.
“For generations of baseball fans, Rickey Henderson was the gold standard of base stealing and hitting. Leadoff Rickey is one of the most successful and beloved Athletics of all time,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “He also made an impact at many other clubs during his unique four-century career. Rickey epitomized the speed, power and entertainment of setting the tone at the top of the lineup. When we consider the new rules for the game in recent years, We had the Ricky era. Henderson in mind
“Rickey earned the respect, admiration and awe of fans of the sport. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I would like to express my deepest condolences to Rickey’s family, his friends and former teammates, A’s fans and baseball fans everywhere.”
Henderson won two World Series titles, first with the A’s in 1989 and again with Toronto four years later.
Former Oakland Athletics outfielder Rickey Henderson speaks during the pregame ceremony against the San Francisco Giants at RingCentral Coliseum. (Darren Yamashita – USA Today Sports)
2025 MLB FREE AGENT SIGNINGS TRADE FOLLOWER: YANKEES SIGNS PAUL GOLDSCHMIDT
Henderson became MLB’s all-time stolen base leader on May 1, 1991, when he swept third base in Oakland – he finished with 1,406 for his career, surpassing Lou. With Brock nearly 500 sacks, Henderson retired with 2,295 runs, 50 more than Ty Cobb. His 3,055 hits are 27th all-time.
The 130 stolen bases in 1982 were the most stolen bases in the live football era. By him and Vince Coleman is the only player since 1920 to have at least 100 stolen bases in three seasons. Henderson has 50 sacks in 13 seasons, the most ever.
Rickey Henderson of the Oakland Athletics wins after stealing his 938th career base and breaking Lou Brock’s record during a game against the California Angels, Oakland, CA 4/27/1991. (Richard Mackson/Sports Images via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
He debuted in 1979 and finally retired in 2003, accumulating 111.1 WAR in his 25 MLB seasons.
This is a developing story. Please check back for more updates.
Follow Fox News Digital’s Sports coverage on Xand apply for membership Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter–
