MLB icon Rickey Henderson passes away at 65

Rickey Henderson, who held Major League Baseball’s records for stolen bases and runs, has passed away at 65 years old. His MLB career spanned 25 years, during which he established numerous records. Known as ‘The Man of Steal’, Henderson accumulated 1,406 stolen bases and 2,295 runs throughout a distinguished career. This career featured World Series championships with the Oakland Athletics in 1989 and the Toronto Blue Jays in 1993. He was a 10-time All-Star, earned the American League’s Most Valuable Player award in 1990, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred stated, “For multiple generations of baseball fans, Rickey Henderson was the gold standard of base stealing and lead off hitting.” He added, “He epitomised speed, power and entertainment in setting the tone at the top of the line-up.” Furthermore, Henderson’s MLB career statistics included a 0.297 batting average, 297 home runs, and 1,115 RBIs. His 81 lead-off home runs also stand as a record. From 1979 to 2003, he played for nine different MLB teams, though he was most closely identified with the Oakland Athletics, having played for them during four separate periods. The Oakland Athletics expressed their sorrow, stating, “We are shocked and heartbroken by his passing.” The team continued, “His loss will be felt not only by A’s fans but also by baseball fans around the world.” They further remarked, “Rickey Henderson is one of the greatest baseball players of all time. His on-field accomplishments speak for themselves and his records will forever stand atop baseball history.” Concluding, they said, “He was undoubtedly the most legendary player in Oakland history and made an indelible mark on generations of A’s fans.”