Baseball icon and Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson died on Friday, Dec. 20, in his hometown of Oakland, California, at the age of 65. “One of one” was a phrase often used to describe Henderson, who shattered records and often upset baseball’s establishment with the way he played and the way he expressed himself.
Henderson was widely regarded as one of the greatest baseball players ever and the best leadoff hitter in history. The reactions, stories and superlatives from the rest of the sports world and beyond continue to pour in days after his death.
On Instagram, Hall of Fame teammate Dave Winfield wrote, “I still cannot believe I’ve lost one of my favorite teammates and great friend Ricky Henderson, rest in peace.”
I’m very sad about the loss of my friend, teammate and fellow Hall of Famer. We were two Bay Area boys. I was proud to play with him. He was the greatest player I ever played with. I cherished our recent times together both in Cooperstown and at the Oakland Coliseum. My…
— Dennis Eckersley (@Eck43) December 22, 2024
“I’m very sad about the loss of my friend, teammate and fellow Hall of Famer,” Oakland A’s great Dennis Eckersley wrote in an X post. “We were two Bay Area boys. I was proud to play with him. He was the greatest player I ever played with.”
There will never be another Ricky Henderson. 💔
— Alex Rodriguez (@AROD) December 21, 2024
He played with such passion, flair, and joy. He was true force of nature on the field and an incredible teammate. Devastated to hear about his passing.
RIP Ricky pic.twitter.com/LFOoMSLGa2
Alex Rodriquez, another former teammate, posted on X as well.
“There will never be another Ricky Henderson,” Rodriguez wrote. “He played with such passion, flair, and joy. He was true force of nature on the field and an incredible teammate. Devastated to hear about his passing.”
Another former Yankee and Hall of Famer, Don Mattingly, had the ultimate compliment.
“I’ve said this to a lot of people: This, for me, was the best player I ever played with, Mike Hill used to say we need guys that can flip the field, that can change the game. And Rickey was a true game changer in all aspects of it. Best player I ever played with or really ever seen,” Mattingly said.
Henderson played for nine teams in his 25 years in the majors and was a first-ballot Hall of Famer. To Mattingly’s point, his numbers are off the charts.
- All-time stolen base leader with 1406 stolen bases recorded.
- Most stolen bases in a single season: 132.
- Ten-time all-star.
- Two-time World Series champ.
- 1990 American League MVP.
- All-time runs scored leader.
- Most lead-off home runs in history with 81.
Perhaps equal to Henderson’s dominance on the diamond was the flamboyant, outspoken way he played. He was a trash talker and show-boater decades before that style became normal. Henderson backed up his words with his play. Henderson sometimes referred to himself in the third person.
Former player Harold Reynolds told one of the best stories he has of Henderson.
“So, I win the stolen base title, one of the only times in the 80s Rickey didn’t win it, you can Google it, he was hurt that year.” Reynolds said. “So, I win with 60. After the season the phone rings, ‘Henderson here,’ because he always spoke in the third person. I said, ‘hey Rickey what’s up.’ He said, ’60 stolen bases, you ought to be ashamed,’ I said, ‘what?’ He said, ‘you ought to be ashamed. Rickey had 60 at the all-star break,’ and click, hung up!”
One of baseball’s great characters and entertainers, Henderson claimed to channel boxing great Muhammad Ali. When he broke Lou Brocks’ record with 939 steals, Henderson pulled the base out of the ground, held it over his head and yelled “I am the greatest!”
When the 2025 baseball season begins in late March, there will be league-wide tributes to Henderson, especially in Sacramento. Henderson’s A’s have relocated there while they await a new stadium in Las Vegas.
