December 22, 2024
Two of Henderson’s information are more likely to stand unbroken–his 1,406 stolen bases over the course of his profession and 130 stolen bases in a season.
Rickey Henderson, the person who redefined what it means to be a lead-off hitter and Main League Baseball’s all-time steals chief, died 5 days earlier than he would have turned 66 on Christmas Day, of pneumonia. Henderson’s spouse, Pamela, confirmed his loss of life on Dec. 21 through a press release offered to the media.
“We’re deeply grateful for the outpouring of affection, assist, and heartfelt recollections from household, buddies, and followers,” Pamela Henderson stated. “A legend on and off the sector, Rickey was a loyal son, dad, good friend, grandfather, brother, uncle, and a really humble soul. 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.”
A as soon as in a lifetime participant, Henderson is most intently related to the Oakland Athletics, and though he had issues with bronchial asthma and sinus issues that necessitated surgical procedure in 2023, in response to former Athletic participant and good good friend Dave Stewart, he nonetheless appeared in good well being.
As Stewart informed USA Right now, Henderson was typically on the go, regardless of his physique telling him to decelerate.
“Once I heard he was sick,” Stewart stated, “I wasn’t shocked. He doesn’t know easy methods to gradual it down. He doesn’t give himself an opportunity to not be 100%.”
Stewart additionally reminisced on what it meant to him to lose one in all his greatest buddies.
“I couldn’t imagine it,” Stewart stated, “I nonetheless can’t. I can’t wrap my heard round it. We’ve recognized one another virtually our total lives. That was my dude. It was a thrill of a lifetime to sit down again and watch with that sort of capability. That proficient. That when-in-a-lifetime factor. There’ll by no means be one other participant like him.”
In accordance with The Athletic, two of Henderson’s information are more likely to stand unbroken, his 1,406 stolen bases over the course of his profession and 130 stolen bases in a season, and the way during which he performed endeared him to followers throughout America, however he embodied Oakland, his hometown, in response to Paul Freedman, the president of the unbiased league Oakland Ballers baseball membership.
“There are some gamers that simply personify the cities that they play in and Rickey introduced the essence of Oakland onto the sector,” Freedman stated. “He was dynamic, he was powerful, and he wasn’t afraid to face out. He’s synonymous with Oakland.”
In accordance with The Athletic, Henderson, himself, acknowledged that his means of enjoying the sport was flashy, however he framed it as fan service.
“In my means of enjoying the sport, individuals have known as me a sizzling canine,” Henderson stated as soon as. “However I name it (bringing) some fashion or leisure to the individuals. I get pleasure from going on the market and thrilling the followers, as a result of I really feel like they arrive out right here to see some pleasure.”
In accordance with Ben Davis, a teammate of Henderson’s throughout a stint with the San Diego Padres, his 2001 season when Henderson was 42 years previous positioned him in baseball’s Parthenon, epitomized by a house run trot which he ended by sliding into dwelling plate feet-first.
“It was feet-first and he was at all times a head-first man; that caught us extra off-guard than something,” Davis, a catcher on the Padres group recalled. “However you by no means put something previous Rickey. I imply, that yr, give it some thought: he obtained his 3,000th hit, he obtained the all-time walks report and he obtained the all-time runs scored report. The walks report was damaged by Barry, however that’s unbelievable, to do all that in a single yr.”
Henderson’s affect on the sport usually, and baserunning particularly, was so profound that it was his title that got here up when Main League Baseball’s new rule adjustments to encourage stealing have been made in 2023.
However there’s, was, and can at all times be just one Rickey Henderson, as MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred made clear in his personal assertion.
“Rickey was some of the achieved 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 pace, energy and leisure in setting the tone on the high of the lineup. After we thought-about new guidelines for the sport in recent times, we had the period of Rickey Henderson in thoughts.”
Manfred continued, “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 all over the place.”
The Athletics, who not play in Oakland, and named their area at Oakland Coliseum after Henderson in 2017, acknowledged crucial participant in franchise historical past in their very own assertion.
“Rickey Henderson is without doubt one of the best baseball gamers of all time,” the Athletics stated. “His on-field accomplishments converse for themselves, and his information will eternally stand atop baseball historical past. He was undoubtedly essentially the most legendary participant in Oakland historical past and made an indelible mark on generations of A’s followers over his 14 seasons carrying the Inexperienced and Gold.”
They continued, “For many who knew him personally, Rickey was way more than a franchise icon and a Baseball Corridor of Famer. He was a good friend and mentor to each participant, coach, and worker who handed by means of the Oakland Coliseum or performed a recreation on the sector that got here to bear his title. We’re shocked and heartbroken by his passing. His loss might be felt not solely by A’s followers but in addition by baseball followers world wide.”
RELATED CONTENT: Black-Owned Group Buys Remaining Oakland Athletics Coliseum Stake For $125M