The reputation that Rickey Henderson engendered over his decades in the game was of a proud and often boastful player. Elite on the field, and someone who would remind both opponents and fans of that fact.
Henderson died on Friday at age 65. In the hours since that news became public, remembrances poured in from across the game: Teammates, friends, and admirers all sharing their thoughts on the Man of Steal’s life, career and death.
They remember the braggadocious Hall of Famer, yes. But they also talked about the genuinely good person behind that persona — the man who connected with those around him, important or not. Someone who was generous with his time and with the wisdom he accumulated over 25 years in the big leagues.
“Well known as a great player, less known that he was a great and popular teammate as well,” his longtime manager Tony La Russa said in a text message. “Everyone is stunned and very sad.”
“For those who knew him personally,” the A’s said in a statement, “Rickey was much more than a franchise icon and a Baseball Hall of Famer. He was a friend and mentor to every player, coach, and employee who passed through the Oakland Coliseum or played a game on the field that came to bear his name.”
Henderson’s time in the big leagues transcended generations within the game. His first year was 1979, when Willie Stargell was MVP. His last was 2003, when Barry Bonds took home that trophy.
It is his catcher teammates, perhaps, who were most thankful to play with him. That’s because it came with an assurance he wouldn’t run against them.
“Rickey Henderson was a dream to hit behind as teammate and a nightmare for a catcher as an opponent,” Hall of Fame catcher and former Mets teammate Mike Piazza posted on X. “He was one of the most generous, hysterical and gracious human beings.”
“Being teammates with him my rookie year was incredible,” ex-catcher and current Tigers manager A.J. Hinch posted on X. “The banter was real. The wisdom was endless. I was lucky enough to wear No. 23 next to his No. 24 virtually every day. Gonna miss you my man.”
Henderson worked for the A’s as a special assistant, and former catcher Jonathan Lucroy wrote in a post that Henderson often came into the clubhouse to play cards with the players.
“I used to mess with him by saying that he was lucky I wasn’t catching when he was trying to steal,” Lucroy wrote. “I’d have thrown him out. Probably not true. But he would say, ‘Naw man, you would have no chance.’”
Henderson won two World Series. The first came in 1989 with the A’s, the second four years later with the Toronto Blue Jays, after he was a midseason acquisition.
He played in eight postseasons, and boasts more runs scored and stolen bases than anyone, ever. He was a 10-time All-Star, three-time Silver Slugger, and won a Gold Glove and an MVP award. Henderson accomplished everything the game had to offer, and earned nearly 95 percent of the Hall of Fame vote during his first year on the ballot — among the 20 highest percentages in the Hall’s history.
“This is just devastating to our baseball community,” said Hall of Fame first baseman Frank Thomas. “Rickey was always the engine to my era. Always joking with us making me laugh constantly. One of the greatest to ever do it all on the field. The HOF won’t be the same for me.”
“Sad day for our Hall of Fame family with the passing of Rickey Henderson,” said fellow 3,000-hit-club member Wade Boggs. “One of the greatest to ever play the game you’ll be dearly missed, brother.”
“There will never be anyone like Rickey Henderson,” posted longtime closer Billy Wagner, who hopes to join Henderson in Cooperstown next year. “I’m in pure shock. Grew up wanting to be Rickey. Played against him, and he was our Mets first base coach. Truly a great player, but a tremendous person.”
Fellow Hall of Famer Dave Winfield was among the first to react to the news of Henderson’s death when he posted a photo of the two of them on Instagram.
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“I still cannot believe I’ve lost one of my favorite teammates and great friend Rickey Henderson,” he wrote. “Rest in peace.”
Henderson played for nine MLB teams and two independent league teams. It might be hard to remember, but he played 30 games with the Dodgers, 32 games with the Angels, 72 games with the Red Sox, 92 with the Mariners had two stints with the Padres, two years with the Mets and 44 games in Toronto that led to his second ring.
There may be photos of Henderson in many uniforms. But he was at his core an Oakland Athletic. Raised in the Bay Area. This was his home, both during his career and in the decades afterward. For those associated with the franchise, his loss hits home.
“I’m heartbroken and devastated,” wrote longtime teammate Jose Canseco. “Rickey Henderson was an incredibly talented player, but an even better human. I’ll never forget all the incredible memories we created.”
“His birthday is Christmas Day,” said A’s assistant GM Billy Owens in a text message. “Heaven must have needed a leadoff hitter, delivering presents, hitting leadoff homers, stealing bases and popping collars.”
“It was just an honor to wear the same uniform and to have him alongside us in the dugout and on the field,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said in a statement. “Rickey’s presence was felt everywhere in our clubhouse, and it’s hard to imagine the A’s without him around.”
Younger players coming up with the A’s or joining from other organizations were often thrilled to get a chance to hear some of Henderson’s wisdom — and his many stories.
“To be able to be taught by someone I idolized as a kid,” wrote former A’s outfielder Josh Reddick, “it meant so much that he took time to teach so many of us.”
Henderson was revered by so many. Those he played with, and those he played for. Bobby Valentine, his manager with the Mets, wrote that it was “an honor to be in the same uniform” as him. Yankees teammate Don Mattingly wrote that Henderson was “simply the best player I ever played with.”
So yes, he might have been boastful. But if anything is clear from the memorials across the sport, he had every right to be.
(With reports from The Athletic’s Melissa Lockard)
(Photo: Jim McIsaac / Getty Images)
