MLB legend Rickey Henderson has passed away at the age of 65. He reportedly died on Friday in Oakland.
Henderson, a two-time World Series champion, had been receiving treatment in the hospital for pneumonia prior to his passing, according to TMZ.
Born and raised in Oakland, Henderson was drafted by the A’s in the fourth round of the 1976 MLB Draft. He played for the franchise on four separate occasions, cementing his legacy as one of baseball’s greatest players. After a stint with the New York Yankees, Henderson helped the A’s win their first World Series in 25 years during the 1989 season. He later added another championship to his resume in 1993 with the Toronto Blue Jays.
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Henderson’s illustrious 24-year career included stops with the Anaheim Angels (now the LA Angels), Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, and two separate tenures with the San Diego Padres, before retiring as an LA Dodger.
Renowned for his speed and power, Henderson had three seasons with at least 20 home runs and 65 stolen bases—an achievement the rest of MLB’s history has matched only four times. The 10-time All-Star also holds the all-time record for runs scored (2,295) and recorded 3,055 hits, 297 home runs, and a .279 batting average.
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Following the announcement of his death, his wife Pamela shared a heartfelt statement through the Oakland A’s social media accounts:
“It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of my husband, Rickey Henderson. A legend on and off the field, Rickey was a devoted son, dad, friend, grandfather, brother, uncle, and a truly humble soul. Rickey lived his life with integrity, and his love for baseball was paramount.
Now, Rickey is at peace with the Lord, cherishing the extraordinary moments and achievements he leaves behind. We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, support, and heartfelt memories from family, friends, and fans — all of which have brought immense comfort.
We also extend our sincere gratitude to MLB, the Oakland A’s, and the incredible doctors and nurses at UCSF who cared for Rickey with dedication and compassion. Your prayers and kindness mean more than words can express. In this difficult time, we kindly ask for your respect and privacy as we adjust to life without Rickey, holding on to the legacy he left for all of us.”
Tributes poured in from around Major League Baseball after news of his passing broke.
“Sad day for our Hall of Fame family with the passing of Rickey Henderson, one of the greatest to ever play the game. You’ll be dearly missed, Brother. RIP, Rickey,” wrote Hall of Fame third baseman Wade Boggs.
Dave Winfield, a fellow Hall of Famer and former teammate, shared a photo of the two together on Instagram, writing, “I still cannot believe I’ve lost one of my favorite teammates and great friend Rickey Henderson. Rest in peace.”
Another fan wrote, “Super Sky Point to Rickey Henderson, the greatest leadoff man and base stealer to ever set foot on a baseball diamond. I’m stunned. Some guys seem larger than mortality. Rickey was one of them.”
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