Corridor of Fame outfielder Rickey Henderson has died the league introduced Saturday. He was 65.
Henderson has a case for being acknowledged as the best leadoff hitter in Main League Baseball historical past. Over his 25-year profession, he amassed a .279/.401/.419 slash line (127 OPS+) with 297 house runs and 1,406 stolen bases. His stolen-base potential earned him the “Man of Steal” nickname, and to today, he stays the all-time chief in swiped luggage (in addition to runs scored and caught stealings). Moreover, he is one in every of simply three gamers to ever steal 100 bases or extra in three separate seasons, with the others being Vince Coleman and the unique Billy Hamilton (who did it 4 occasions within the late 1800s).
“For a number of generations of baseball followers, Rickey Henderson was the gold commonplace of base stealing and leadoff hitting. Rickey was one of the completed and beloved Athletics of all-time. He additionally made an affect with many different Golf equipment throughout a quarter-century profession like no different. Rickey epitomized velocity, energy and leisure in setting the tone on the high of the lineup. After we thought-about new guidelines for the sport lately, we had the period of Rickey Henderson in thoughts,” Commissioner Rob Manfred stated in an announcement Saturday.
“Rickey earned common respect, admiration and awe from sports activities followers. On behalf of Main League Baseball, I ship my deepest condolences to Rickey’s household, his buddies and former teammates, A’s followers and baseball followers in every single place.”
Legendary baseball writer Invoice James noticed that “in case you might cut up him in two, you’d have two Corridor of Famers.” There’s validity to that assertion. Henderson’s contributions had been estimated to be price 111.1 Wins Above Alternative, in keeping with Baseball Reference’s calculations, or the nineteenth most within the sport’s historical past.
Henderson’s good play resulted in him incomes 10 All-Star Sport designations, three Silver Slugger Awards, a Gold Glove Award, and the 1990 American League Most Priceless Participant Award. He received two World Sequence titles throughout his profession: one with the 1989 Oakland Athletics, the opposite with the 1993 Toronto Blue Jays. In 2009, on his first time on the poll, he was elected in to the Baseball of Fame.
“A legend on and off the sphere, Rickey was a faithful son, dad, pal, grandfather, brother, uncle, and a very humble soul,” Henderson’s spouse, Pamela, stated in an announcement along with his daughters. “Rickey lived his life with integrity, and his love for baseball was paramount. Now, Rickey is at peace with the Lord, cherishing the extraordinary moments and achievements he leaves behind.We’re deeply grateful for the outpouring of affection, assist, and heartfelt reminiscences from household, buddies, and followers — all of which have introduced immense consolation. We additionally prolong our honest gratitude to MLB, the Oakland A’s, and the unimaginable medical doctors and nurses at UCSF who cared for Rickey with dedication and compassion. Your prayers and kindness imply greater than phrases can categorical.”
Whereas Henderson is greatest remembered for his 14 seasons with the Athletics, the crew that drafted him from close by Oakland Technical Excessive College, he additionally suited up for the New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, Boston Crimson Sox, then-Anaheim Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, and people aforementioned Blue Jays. In an try and additional prolong his profession, he would later seem for numerous impartial league groups, such because the Newark Bears (of the Atlantic League) and the San Diego Surf Dawgs of the Golden League.
Along with being an all-time nice participant, Henderson featured one of many sport’s largest personalities. Journalist Tom Verducci wrote of Henderson in 2003: “There are specific figures in American historical past who’ve handed into the realm of cultural mythology, as if actuality might now not include their tales: Johnny Appleseed. Wild Invoice Hickok. Davy Crockett. Rickey Henderson. They exist on the typically slender margin between Truth and Fiction.”
Henderson very a lot existed, and can proceed to as a part of the nice story of baseball.
