Rickey HendersonMLB’s greatest base stealer has died at the age of 65.
Henderson was a 10-time All-Star and spent the majority of his 14-year career with the Oakland Athletics.
Henderson would have been 66 years old on Christmas Day – he was reportedly battling pneumonia.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Former Oakland Athletics player Rickey Henderson before their MLB game against the St. Louis Cardinals at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, April 15, 2024. (Jane Engelska/Digital First Media/East Bay Times via Getty Images)
Henderson is also the all-time leader in runs scored. He was named American League MVP in 1990 after leading the AL with a 1.016 OPS, 65 stolen bases and 119 runs scored.
He played for the Yankees, Padres, Mets, Mariners, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Angels and Dodgers.
“For several generations of baseball fans, Rickey Henderson was the gold standard in base stealing and leadoff hitting. Rickey was one of the most accomplished and popular Athletics athletes of all time,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “He also made an impression like no other at many other clubs during his quarter-century career. Rickey embodied speed, power and entertainment as he set the tone at the front of the team. When we thought about new rules of the game in recent years, we had the Rickey Henderson era in mind.
“Rickey has earned universal respect, admiration and awe among sports fans. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to Rickey’s family, his friends and former teammates, A’s fans and baseball fans everywhere.”
Henderson won two World Series – one with the A’s in 1989 and one with the A’s in 1989 another with Toronto four years later.
Former Oakland Athletics outfielder Rickey Henderson speaks during a ceremony before the game against the San Francisco Giants at RingCentral Coliseum. (Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports)
2025 MLB FREE-AGENT SIGNING TRACKER, TRADES: YANKEES sign PAUL GOLDSCHMIDT
Henderson became the MLB’s all-time stolen bases leader on May 1, 1991, when he stole third base in Oakland – he finished his career with 1,406, surpassing Lou Brock by nearly 500 bags. Henderson also retired with 2,295 runs scored, 50 more than Ty Cobb. His 3,055 hits are also 27th all-time.
His 130 stolen bases in 1982 are the most in the live-ball era – he and Vince Coleman are the only players since 1920 to have at least 100 stolen bases for three seasons. Henderson picked 50 bags in 13 seasons, more than ever before.
Oakland Athletics Rickey Henderson won after making his 938th career stolen base, tying Lou Brock’s record, in the game against the California Angels, Oakland, CA, on April 27, 1991. (Richard Mackson/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
He debuted in 1979 and finally hung up the cleats in 2003, posting 111.1 WAR in his 25 MLB seasons.
This is a developing story. Check back for more updates.
Follow Fox News Digital Sports coverage on Xand subscribe the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
