Rickey Henderson, Major League Baseball record holder for stolen bases and runs, has died at the age of 65.
Nicknamed “The Steal Man,” Henderson had 1,406 stolen bases and 2,295 runs during an illustrious career that included World Series victories with the Oakland Athletics in 1989 and the Toronto Blue Jays in 1993 .
A ten-time All-Star and American League Most Valuable Player in 1990, Henderson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009.
“For generations of baseball fans, Rickey Henderson was the benchmark for stealing bases and hitting,” said MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred.
“He embodied speed, power and fun, setting the tone at the top of the line-up.”
Henderson’s MLB career also included a .297 batting average, 297 home runs, and 1,115 RBIs, while his first 81 home runs are also a record.
He played for nine MLB teams from 1979 to 2003, but was most associated with the Oakland Athletics, where he served four stints.
“We are shocked and heartbroken by his passing,” Oakland said. “His loss will be felt not only by A’s fans but by baseball fans everywhere.
“Rickey Henderson is one of the greatest baseball players of all time. His accomplishments on the field speak for themselves and his records will forever stand at the pinnacle of baseball history.
“He was without a doubt the most legendary player in Oakland history and left an indelible mark on generations of A’s fans.”
