Rickey Henderson

Lore & Background

Henderson holds the single-season record for stolen bases (130 in 1982) and is the only player in AL history to steal 100 bases in a season, having done so three times (in 1980, 1982, and 1983). His 1,406 career steals is nearly 50% higher than the previous record of 938 by Lou Brock. Henderson is the all-time stolen base leader for the Oakland Athletics and previously held the New York Yankees' franchise record from 1988 to 2011. He was among the league's top ten base stealers in 21 different seasons. Henderson was named the AL's Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1990, and he was twice the lead-off hitter for World Series champions: the 1989 Oakland Athletics and the 1993 Toronto Blue Jays. A 12-time stolen base champion, Henderson led the league in runs five times. His 25-season career elevated him to the top ten in several other categories, including career at-bats, games, and outfield putouts and total chances. His high on-base percentage, power hitting, and stolen base and run totals made him one of the most dominant and innovative players of all time. He was further known for his passion for playing baseball and a buoyant, eccentric, and quotable personality, famously often referring to himself in the third person, that both perplexed and entertained fans. Once asked if he thought Henderson was a future Hall of Famer, statistician Bill James replied, 'If you could split him in two, you'd have two Hall of Famers.'

In Their Own Story

The Coliseum lights hummed to life over a Tuesday night in August, 1988. The stands were a sea of green and gold, the air thick with the smell of hot dogs and the low rumble of ten thousand fans who had no business expecting their team to be in the AL pennant race. In the on-deck circle, a lanky figure in a green jersey stretched his arms, shook out his legs, and grinned at the pitcher warming up in the mound. The pitcher shook his head. Henderson shook his head back. The first pitch came in high. Henderson didn't swing. He just pointed at the catcher and whispered something the third-base coach would later swear he heard: "Come on, baby. Let's go." He took second before the ball cleared the infield dirt. The Coliseum erupted. Somewhere in the front row, a kid in a too-big A's cap clapped his hands until they stung, already knowing he'd be telling this story for the rest of his life.

Reader's Guide

Henderson was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the fourth round of the 1976 Major League Baseball draft. He made his major league debut with Oakland on June 24, 1979. He played for the Athletics in 1979–1984, 1989–1993, 1994–1995, and 1998. He also played for the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, and other teams. He was the lead-off hitter for World Series champions in 1989 (Oakland Athletics) and 1993 (Toronto Blue Jays). He was a 10-time AL All-Star and won the AL MVP in 1990.

Did You Know?

• Henderson was born in the back seat of an Oldsmobile on the way to the hospital.
• He learned to bat right-handed even though he was a naturally left-handed thrower.
• He stole 130 bases in 1982, a single-season record that has not been approached since.
• He is the only player in AL history to steal 100 bases in a season, doing so three times.
• Statistician Bill James said if you could split Henderson in two, you'd have two Hall of Famers.