Rickey Henderson, Major League Baseball’s record holder for stolen bases and runs, has died at the age of 65.
Nicknamed ‘The Man of Steal’, Henderson achieved 1,406 stolen bases and 2,295 runs in an illustrious career which included World Series wins with Oakland Athletics in 1989 and the Toronto Blue Jays in 1993.
A 10-time All-Star and the American League’s Most Valuable Player in 1990, Henderson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009.
“For multiple generations of baseball fans, Rickey Henderson was the gold standard of base stealing and lead off hitting,” said MLB commissioner Rob Manfred.
“He epitomised speed, power and entertainment in setting the tone at the top of the line-up.”
Henderson’s MLB career also included a batting average of 0.297, 297 home runs and 1,115 RBIs, while his 81 lead-off home runs are also a record.
He played for nine teams in the MLB from 1979 to 2003 but was most associated with the Oakland Athletics, where he had four spells.
“We are shocked and heartbroken by his passing,” Oakland said. “His loss will be felt not only by A’s fans but also by baseball fans around the world.
“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.
“He was undoubtedly the most legendary player in Oakland history and made an indelible mark on generations of A’s fans.” (BBC News)
