# Baseball Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson has died at age 65 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** baseball-mlb\ **Created:** [December 21, 2024, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hall-of-famer-rickey-henderson-has-died-at-age-65/1011985 "2024-12-21T18:46:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![SunUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SunUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunUp)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2024, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hall-of-famer-rickey-henderson-has-died-at-age-65/1011985/21 "2024-12-22T16:02:21Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > Harold Baines tells about the time he led the league in steals one year. Rickey would normally lead with 100 something, but he was injured, so that year Baines lead the league with 60. Couldn’t have been Harold Baines. He only had 34 steals in his career. Maybe Tim Raines? ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2024, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hall-of-famer-rickey-henderson-has-died-at-age-65/1011985/22 "2024-12-22T16:07:09Z")
> [@SunUp](#): > > Couldn’t have been Harold Baines. Shit, I meant Harold _Reynolds_ (It was 1987, when he had 60. The year before Rickey had led the league with 87, and the next year Rickey led with 93) > **[List of Major League Baseball annual stolen base leaders](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Major_League_Baseball_annual_stolen_base_leaders)** > > Major League Baseball recognizes stolen base leaders in the American League and National League each season. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2024, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hall-of-famer-rickey-henderson-has-died-at-age-65/1011985/23 "2024-12-22T16:39:50Z")
[ninja’ed on the Harolds] ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2024, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hall-of-famer-rickey-henderson-has-died-at-age-65/1011985/24 "2024-12-22T16:54:16Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > ninja’ed on the Harolds] I meant the guy who became an ESPN broadcaster, not the ugly guy. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2024, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hall-of-famer-rickey-henderson-has-died-at-age-65/1011985/25 "2024-12-22T17:35:57Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > (It was 1987, when he had 60. The year before Rickey had led the league with 87, and the next year Rickey led with 93) Rickey led the league with 66… when he was 39 years old. Rickey really should have won at least three MVP Awards. He was shockingly insulted by MVP voting throughout his career; he really should have won it in 1981 and 1989. Maybe in 1985, too, though I’d have voted for George Brett. I’m sadder than I expected. I guess maybe I’m seeing my childhood recede in the distance of time. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2024, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hall-of-famer-rickey-henderson-has-died-at-age-65/1011985/26 "2024-12-22T17:37:50Z")
He did die far too young. I always had the impression that many writers disliked Rickey. That had to affect his MVP votes. I was a little amazed some left him off the Hall of Fame ballot. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2024, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hall-of-famer-rickey-henderson-has-died-at-age-65/1011985/27 "2024-12-22T21:22:27Z")
A nice write up in the Star Ledger: > **[The secret power that made Rickey Henderson invincible | Klapisch](https://www.nj.com/yankees/2024/12/i-covered-rickey-henderson-with-yankees-and-mets-the-best-i-ever-saw-klapisch.html)** > > The baseball world reacted with shock to the news that superstar Rickey Henderson had passed away at 65. * * * * * * I remember Rickey talking about why he didn’t get many triples with all his speed. His answer was simple, something close to. _No sense trying, I can always just steal third._ ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2024, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hall-of-famer-rickey-henderson-has-died-at-age-65/1011985/28 "2024-12-22T21:41:02Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > A nice write up in the Star Ledger: > > [The secret power that made Rickey Henderson invincible | Klapisch - nj.com](https://www.nj.com/yankees/2024/12/i-covered-rickey-henderson-with-yankees-and-mets-the-best-i-ever-saw-klapisch.html) Nice article, but I take issue with this statement: > [@](#): > > His passing on Saturday came as a shock to the industry, but nowhere is the grieving deeper than in New York. Rickey Henderson grew up in Oakland. He came up through the Oakland A’s minor league system, and had more seasons with the A’s than with any other team. He was with the A’s for more seasons than with the Yankees and Mets combined. And he was the biggest star on 1989 A’s, the last time the A’s won the World Series. Rickey Henderson was a star in New York, but that city has many stars, and the Yankees have won many championships. Losing Rickey is a bigger deal to Oakland and the rest of the East Bay than to New York. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2024, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hall-of-famer-rickey-henderson-has-died-at-age-65/1011985/29 "2024-12-22T21:43:08Z")
Agreed. Very big in NYC Metro area but bigger in Oakland. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2024, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hall-of-famer-rickey-henderson-has-died-at-age-65/1011985/30 "2024-12-22T21:47:34Z")
> [@Jeff\_Lichtman](#): > > Nice article, but I take issue with this statement: Agreed. I think it’s a writer at a local paper, trying to put a local spin on the story for local readers. If you asked Yankees fans to list the team’s top stars from the last 50 years, few would mention Henderson among their top selections. If you asked A’s fans the same question, I’d wager that the vast majority of them would name Rickey first. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2024, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hall-of-famer-rickey-henderson-has-died-at-age-65/1011985/31 "2024-12-22T21:48:21Z")
Sad to see this. He was one of my favorite players to watch, no matter which team he was playing for. > [@SunUp](#): > > RH: So you wear your batting helmet when you’re in the field. I played with a dude in New York who did that. > > John Olerud: That was me, Rickey. As an M’s fan, I love this one! Also, I loved the brief time Rickey wore the M’s uniform. I also love Olerud. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2024, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hall-of-famer-rickey-henderson-has-died-at-age-65/1011985/32 "2024-12-22T21:50:42Z")
I loved Rickey, but he’s not even the first player I think of for his uniform number as Yankee & Met (24) Tino Martinez is my first thought for 24 then Rickey but also Robinson Cano. I rarely see a Rickey Henderson Jersey. * * * * * * Fun fact, in less than 5 seasons, Rickey set the Yankees all-time Stolen Base record, a record that Jeter barely beat in his 20 years. Rickey remains #2 for the Yanks. Mickey Mantle is still #10 with only 153 stolen Bases. Rickey of course stole 130 in 1982 for Oakland. His top mark with the Yanks was 93. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hall-of-famer-rickey-henderson-has-died-at-age-65/1011985/33 "2024-12-23T04:04:28Z")
He leaves largely good memories behind. That is worthy. > [@RickJay](#): > > I’m sadder than I expected. I guess maybe I’m seeing my childhood recede in the distance of time. Yeah, and especially when he’s gone so early relative to wat we expect these times. Was just turning 66 this week. > [@Jeff\_Lichtman](#): > > Losing Rickey is a bigger deal to Oakland and the rest of the East Bay than to New York. Man, and it gets the added twist of the blade in that it’s the year they lost the team itself. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hall-of-famer-rickey-henderson-has-died-at-age-65/1011985/34 "2024-12-23T05:52:12Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > Man, and it gets the added twist of the blade in that it’s the year they lost the team itself. So true. Rickey was truly amazing. Maybe the best-ever leadoff hitter in history. I’ve enjoyed seeing his HOF speech again ➜ [https://youtu.be/mJHrztoIN04](https://youtu.be/mJHrztoIN04) ■ . ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hall-of-famer-rickey-henderson-has-died-at-age-65/1011985/35 "2024-12-23T14:59:09Z")
There’s no maybe. It’s a slam dunk. No one else is even close. Baseball hasn’t had a huge number of guys who led off their whole careers, and the ones who have are just not in Henderson’s class. The major competitors are, I guess, Boggs, Raines, Biggio, Max Carey, Ichiro… Pete Rose batted leadoff two thirds of his career. Derek Jeter batted second most of his career. Earle Combs was great but a short career. Henderson was greater than any of those guys by a wide margin. Rickey was one of the 20, 25 best players EVER. Of any sort. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hall-of-famer-rickey-henderson-has-died-at-age-65/1011985/36 "2024-12-23T14:59:23Z")
I came across two more Rickey stories this morning: Despite the insane amount of money that baseball players in the major league are paid, they are also given a daily per diem amount for food on road trips. It’s usually handed out as cash in an envelope at the start of the trip. Looking it up, it’s now over $100 per day, so a 10 Day swing could be a serious amount of money. Ricky wouldn’t spend those. Instead, he’d put them in a box. Whenever one of his daughters had a really good day, he let them pick an envelope. Apparently , he’d do the same for people who came to his house to do some work. Also, whenever the team was discussing splitting some bonus and the subject of a fringe player or an attendant came up, Ricky would always shout “full share.” Other players would gripe, but he would say “fuck that. That kind of money can change a person‘s life“ He was a showboat. He was also a class act. And played for the love of the game. He actually ended his career playing _in the minor leagues_ at age 45. > **[Remembering Rickey Henderson's Two Atlantic League Seasons](https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/remembering-rickey-hendersons-two-atlantic-league-seasons/n-6175476)** > > Rickey Henderson, Major League Baseball's all-time leader in stolen bases and runs scored and a former Atlantic League All-Star, passed away on Friday, December 20, at the age of 65. I also just learned that he’s #2 on the all time Yankees stolen base leaders (about 50 behInd Jeter). He only played for them for 4 and a half years. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hall-of-famer-rickey-henderson-has-died-at-age-65/1011985/37 "2024-12-23T15:01:21Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > I also just learned that he’s #2 on the all time Yankees stolen base leaders (about 50 behInd Jeter). He only played for them for 4 and a half years. Yes, mentioned above. He was amazing. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hall-of-famer-rickey-henderson-has-died-at-age-65/1011985/38 "2024-12-23T15:23:28Z")
Anyone read [Rickey-Life and Legend](https://www.amazon.com/Rickey-Life-Legend-American-Original-ebook/dp/B09722FSK2/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=131EOR6OO3AEE&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.NHhcO8lFfUGHTr6a6vzp4ENE9M0R9FmP3KEX1mA3uyCGrHI0lqlR4th0qFmW83H4OfuThDeOuAdUH6B_Klg1LkxevPHv3ZyoGtNrIOYRdegCk3k91jMuQt4vjcwlqJnMJ5kkW-p4VB5unj_7zu9oEmDXjbLNKmsBlRK76oWbv-_hMWMKFqbaRMsiVtbMeO3XrhNgehM8ohIa3MTvGK8svQ.bbKAC_qZpVlhk4CKRhe6m5BIIy0-tSo4RMXKVhB4koc&dib_tag=se&keywords=rickey+henderson&qid=1734967286&sprefix=rickey+%2Caps%2C142&sr=8-1) by Howard Bryant? It’s one of many books I’ve picked up as cheap kindle books over the years and this week seems a good week to read it. I do most of my baseball reading in the winter. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hall-of-famer-rickey-henderson-has-died-at-age-65/1011985/39 "2024-12-23T17:38:12Z")
I don’t get out to Oakland that often. I more frequently go to San Francisco. They’re both about an hour’s drive from me. But in the news they’re saying there’s a makeshift memorial to Rickey at the Coliseum. I may go up there in the next day or two to pay my respects. If I do go I’ll share any pics I take. The SF Giants played there earlier this year, the last of course for the A’s in Oakland, and my wife and I attended a game. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hall-of-famer-rickey-henderson-has-died-at-age-65/1011985.md?page=1)