2000 E Gene Autry Way, Anaheim, CA 92806, United States
Rickey Henderson looks out from the dugout during batting practice before a game against the Anaheim Angels at Anaheim Stadium (present-day Angel Stadium of Anaheim), California. Photo By John Cordes/Icon Sportswire.
School period
Gallery of Rickey Henderson
4351 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94611, United States
Rickey Henderson graduated from Oakland Technical High School in 1976.
College/University
Career
Gallery of Rickey Henderson
1989
7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland, CA 94621, United States
Rickey Henderson of the New York Yankees reacts to a pitch during a Major League Baseball against the Oakland A's played at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California. Photo by David Madison.
Gallery of Rickey Henderson
1990
Rickey Henderson, as an outfielder of the Oakland Athletics, dives back to base during a game. Photo by Focus on Sport.
Gallery of Rickey Henderson
1991
5999 E Van Buren St #3410, Phoenix, AZ 85008, United States
Rickey Henderson, as an outfielder of the Oakland A's, runs towards thrid base during a game against the Cleveland Indians at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. Photo by Tony Tomsic.
Gallery of Rickey Henderson
1993
1 Blue Jays Way, Toronto, ON M5V 1J1, Canada
Rickey Henderson (left) and first baseman Joe Carter of the Toronto Blue Jays hold up the World Series trophy after winning in Game Six against the Philadelphia Phillies at the Toronto Skydome (present-day Rogers Centre) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Photo by Rick Stewart.
Gallery of Rickey Henderson
1997
Milwaukee County Stadium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Rickey Henderson on deck before an at-bat in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Milwaukee County Stadium in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Photo By John Cordes/Icon Sportswire.
Gallery of Rickey Henderson
1997
2000 E Gene Autry Way, Anaheim, CA 92806, United States
Rickey Henderson sits on the bat rack during batting practice before a game against the Anaheim Angels played at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California. Photo By John Cordes/Icon Sportswire.
Gallery of Rickey Henderson
1997
Milwaukee County Stadium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Rickey Henderson, as the California Angels' outfielder, during a bat against the Milwaukee Brewers played in Milwaukee County Stadium in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Photo By John Cordes/Icon Sportswire.
Gallery of Rickey Henderson
1998
5999 E Van Buren St #3410, Phoenix, AZ 85008, United States
Rickey Henderson of the Oakland Athletics in action during a spring training game against the Seattle Mariners at the Phoenix Municipal Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Jeff Carlick.
Gallery of Rickey Henderson
1998
7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland, CA 94621, United States
Rickey Henderson in action against the Boston Red Sox during a game at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California. Photo by Otto Greule/Allsport.
Gallery of Rickey Henderson
1998
7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland, CA 94621, United States
Rickey Henderson of the Oakland Athletics in action during a game against the Anaheim Angels at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California. Photo by Otto Greule Jr./Allsport.
Gallery of Rickey Henderson
2000
123–01 Roosevelt Avenue, Flushing, Queens, New York City, United States
Rickey Henderson of the New York Mets swings at a pitch during the game against the San Diego Padres at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York. Photo by Al Bello.
Gallery of Rickey Henderson
2001
9449 Friars Rd, San Diego, CA 92108, United States
Rickey Henderson, as San Diego Padres outfielder, jokes with the crowd as he takes a position as third base coach for Tony Gwynn's final Major League at-bat, in their game at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. Photo by Stephen Dunn/Allsport.
Gallery of Rickey Henderson
2001
401 E Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ 85004, United States
Rickey Henderson of the San Diego Padres prepares to throw out the first pitch before game two of the Major League Baseball World Series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the New York Yankees at Bank One Ballpark (present-day Chase Field) in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Harry How/Allsport.
Gallery of Rickey Henderson
2001
9449 Friars Rd, San Diego, CA 92108, United States
Rickey Henderson of the San Diego Padres heads to first base after being walked by the pitcher during the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. Photo by Jeff Gross/Allsport.
Gallery of Rickey Henderson
2002
Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California, United States
Rickey Henderson of the Boston Red Sox waits for the pitch during the MLB game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Stephen Dunn.
Gallery of Rickey Henderson
2005
Dave Henderson (left) and Rickey Henderson share a laugh as they exit the stadium after participating in a ceremony retiring the number of former Oakland Athletics pitcher and Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley prior to the game between the Oakland Athletics and Minnesota Twins. Photo by MediaNews Group/Bay Area News.
Gallery of Rickey Henderson
2007
123–01 Roosevelt Avenue, Flushing, Queens, New York City, United States
Rickey Henderson and David Wright of the New York Mets talk during a pitching change against the Cincinnati Reds at Shea Stadium in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Photo by Mike Stobe.
Gallery of Rickey Henderson
2019
3, Koraku 1-chome, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
Rickey Henderson (center) with former Seattle Mariners' closer Kazuhiro Sasaki (left) and former Mariners' catcher Kenji Johjima after Sasaki threw the ceremonial first pitch for the season-opening game between the two teams at Tokyo Dome. Photo by Kyodo News Stills.
Gallery of Rickey Henderson
Twins' catcher Matt Merullo runs down Rickey Henderson after Henderson attempted to steal home in the tops of the 7th inning of Sunday's game against the Oakland Athletics at the Metrodome. Photo by Rita Reed/Star Tribune.
Gallery of Rickey Henderson
9449 Friars Rd, San Diego, CA 92108, United States
Rickey Henderson, as San Diego Padres' outfielder, blows kisses to the crowd after his 3000th hit versus the Colorado Rockies in their game at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. Photo by Stephen Dunn/Allsport.
Gallery of Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henderson of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a single off St. Louis Cardinals' pitcher Garrett Stephenson. Photo by Steve Grayson/WireImage.
Gallery of Rickey Henderson
9449 Friars Rd, San Diego, CA 92108, United States
Rickey Henderson, as San Diego Padres' outfielder, leads off second after his 3000th hit versus the Colorado Rockies in their game at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. Photo by Stephen Dunn/Allsport.
Gallery of Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henderson congratulates Hideo Nomo of the Los Angeles Dodgers after he hit a two-run homer off St. Louis Cardinals' pitcher Garrett Stephenson in the third inning. Photo by Steve Grayson.
Achievements
2017
7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland, CA 94621, United States
Rickey Henderson (left) and Dave Stewart (right) stands together after Henderson threw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the start of the opening night game between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Oakland Athletics at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Photo by Thearon W. Henderson.
7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland, CA 94621, United States
Rickey Henderson of the New York Yankees reacts to a pitch during a Major League Baseball against the Oakland A's played at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California. Photo by David Madison.
5999 E Van Buren St #3410, Phoenix, AZ 85008, United States
Rickey Henderson, as an outfielder of the Oakland A's, runs towards thrid base during a game against the Cleveland Indians at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. Photo by Tony Tomsic.
Rickey Henderson (left) and first baseman Joe Carter of the Toronto Blue Jays hold up the World Series trophy after winning in Game Six against the Philadelphia Phillies at the Toronto Skydome (present-day Rogers Centre) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Photo by Rick Stewart.
Milwaukee County Stadium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Rickey Henderson on the field during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers played at Milwaukee County Stadium in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Photo By John Cordes/Icon Sportswire.
Milwaukee County Stadium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Rickey Henderson on deck before an at-bat in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Milwaukee County Stadium in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Photo By John Cordes/Icon Sportswire.
2000 E Gene Autry Way, Anaheim, CA 92806, United States
Rickey Henderson sits on the bat rack during batting practice before a game against the Anaheim Angels played at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California. Photo By John Cordes/Icon Sportswire.
Milwaukee County Stadium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Rickey Henderson, as the California Angels' outfielder, during a bat against the Milwaukee Brewers played in Milwaukee County Stadium in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Photo By John Cordes/Icon Sportswire.
5999 E Van Buren St #3410, Phoenix, AZ 85008, United States
Rickey Henderson of the Oakland Athletics in action during a spring training game against the Seattle Mariners at the Phoenix Municipal Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Jeff Carlick.
7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland, CA 94621, United States
Rickey Henderson of the Oakland Athletics in action during a game against the Anaheim Angels at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California. Photo by Otto Greule Jr./Allsport.
123–01 Roosevelt Avenue, Flushing, Queens, New York City, United States
Rickey Henderson of the New York Mets swings at a pitch during the game against the San Diego Padres at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York. Photo by Al Bello.
9449 Friars Rd, San Diego, CA 92108, United States
Rickey Henderson, as San Diego Padres outfielder, jokes with the crowd as he takes a position as third base coach for Tony Gwynn's final Major League at-bat, in their game at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. Photo by Stephen Dunn/Allsport.
401 E Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ 85004, United States
Rickey Henderson of the San Diego Padres prepares to throw out the first pitch before game two of the Major League Baseball World Series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the New York Yankees at Bank One Ballpark (present-day Chase Field) in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Harry How/Allsport.
9449 Friars Rd, San Diego, CA 92108, United States
Rickey Henderson of the San Diego Padres heads to first base after being walked by the pitcher during the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. Photo by Jeff Gross/Allsport.
Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California, United States
Rickey Henderson of the Boston Red Sox waits for the pitch during the MLB game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Stephen Dunn.
Dave Henderson (left) and Rickey Henderson share a laugh as they exit the stadium after participating in a ceremony retiring the number of former Oakland Athletics pitcher and Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley prior to the game between the Oakland Athletics and Minnesota Twins. Photo by MediaNews Group/Bay Area News.
123–01 Roosevelt Avenue, Flushing, Queens, New York City, United States
Rickey Henderson and David Wright of the New York Mets talk during a pitching change against the Cincinnati Reds at Shea Stadium in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Photo by Mike Stobe.
2025 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA 90067, United States
Rickey Henderson and guest attend the 15th annual Harold & Carole Pump Foundation gala at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Century City, California. Photo by Tiffany Rose/Getty Images for Harold & Carole Pump Foundation.
7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland, CA 94621, United States
Rickey Henderson hugs Sharon Robinson, daughter of former Major League Baseball player Jackie Robinson, following a pregame ceremony before the A's game against the Texas Rangers at the Oakland Coliseum in California. Photo by MediaNews Group/Bay Area News.
7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland, CA 94621, United States
Rickey Henderson throws the ceremonial first pitch before the Athletics' MLB game against the Cleveland Indians at the Coliseum in Oakland, California. Photo by MediaNews Group/Bay Area News.
7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland, CA 94621, United States
Rickey Henderson waves to the fans before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before the Athletics' MLB game against the Cleveland Indians at the Coliseum in Oakland, California. Photo by MediaNews Group/Bay Area News.
7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland, CA 94621, United States
Rickey Henderson (left) meets up with Athletics' Rajai Davis after throwing the ceremonial first pitch before the Athletics' MLB game against the Cleveland Indians at the Coliseum in Oakland, California. Photo by MediaNews Group/Bay Area News.
Rickey Henderson watches Cal Ripken Baseball League player Daniel Rivera of Oakland chase down a fly ball during a baseball clinic held following a baseball field unveiling at Elmhurst Community Prep School/Alliance Academy schools in Oakland, California. Photo by MediaNews Group/Bay Area News.
Rickey Henderson works with Cal Ripken Baseball League player Jasiah Robinson of Oakland during a baseball clinic held following a baseball field unveiling at Elmhurst Community Prep School/Alliance Academy schools in Oakland, California. Photo by MediaNews Group/Bay Area News.
7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland, CA 94621, United States
Rickey Henderson (left) and Dave Stewart (right) stand together after Henderson threw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the start of the opening night game between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Oakland Athletics at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California. Photo by Thearon W. Henderson.
7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland, CA 94621, United States
Rickey Henderson (left) and Dave Stewart (right) stands together after Henderson threw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the start of the opening night game between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Oakland Athletics at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Photo by Thearon W. Henderson.
Rickey Henderson (center) with former Seattle Mariners' closer Kazuhiro Sasaki (left) and former Mariners' catcher Kenji Johjima after Sasaki threw the ceremonial first pitch for the season-opening game between the two teams at Tokyo Dome. Photo by Kyodo News Stills.
Twins' catcher Matt Merullo runs down Rickey Henderson after Henderson attempted to steal home in the tops of the 7th inning of Sunday's game against the Oakland Athletics at the Metrodome. Photo by Rita Reed/Star Tribune.
9449 Friars Rd, San Diego, CA 92108, United States
Rickey Henderson, as San Diego Padres' outfielder, blows kisses to the crowd after his 3000th hit versus the Colorado Rockies in their game at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. Photo by Stephen Dunn/Allsport.
9449 Friars Rd, San Diego, CA 92108, United States
Rickey Henderson, as San Diego Padres' outfielder, leads off second after his 3000th hit versus the Colorado Rockies in their game at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. Photo by Stephen Dunn/Allsport.
Rickey Henderson congratulates Hideo Nomo of the Los Angeles Dodgers after he hit a two-run homer off St. Louis Cardinals' pitcher Garrett Stephenson in the third inning. Photo by Steve Grayson.
Connections
Wife: Pamela Henderson
2009
124 Co Rd 52, Cooperstown, NY 13326, United States
Pamela Henderson, Rickey Henderson's wife, applauds during the National Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown, New York. Photo by MediaNews Group/Bay Area News.
(The baseball star shares the story of his life, describin...)
The baseball star shares the story of his life, describing his relationships with such baseball greats as Charlie Finley, Dave Winfield, Jose Canseco, Reggie Jackson, and others, and discusses racism in baseball and player salaries.
Rickey Henderson, in full Rickey Nelson Henley Henderson, is an American former professional baseball player. Competing for nine Major League Baseball squads from 1979 to 2003, he went down in the history of the game as its most prolific representative setting an all-time record for the most stolen bases (single-season) and for the most career runs. He is also a leader in unintentional walks and leadoff home runs.
Background
Rickey Henderson was born on December 25, 1958 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. He is the fourth child of five sons in a family of John L. Henley and Bobbie Henley. Rickey's parents broke up when he was two years old. After Bobbie remarried Paul Henderson, she gave birth to two more children, Rickey's half-sisters.
Education
Rickey Henderson's mother, Bobbie, deserted by her husband in 1960, moved with her five sons to her mother's farm in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. When Rickey was seven, the family settled down in Oakland, California, where the boy attended elementary school and played baseball at local Bushrod Park. Rickey and his four siblings were soon adopted by his mother's second husband, Paul Henderson. Eventually, however, Bobbie and Paul separated, and Bobbie was obliged to raise children on her own. She supported the family working as a registered nurse.
Rickey Henderson pursued his studies at Oakland Technical High School where he proved himself to be good at baseball, basketball and football, having the latter as his favorite. Henderson was named to the All-Oakland Athletic League in baseball for three years. After rushing for 1,100 yards on the football field in his senior year, he received dozens of football scholarship offers from colleges. He graduated from high school in 1976.
Upon graduation from high school, Rickey Henderson, forgoing college, followed advice of his mother and made a choice in favor of professional basketball as his further career instead of his beloved football. In 1976, he was drafted in round four by the Oakland Athletics and spent the next three years competing as an outfielder in the minor leagues. His debut in the major leagues took place during a game on June 23, 1979 with the Oakland A's. In his first half-season as a rookie, Henderson stole 33 bases in just 89 games. Such an impressive start was a predecessor of even bigger success to come.
By the middle of the next season, Henderson topped not only in stolen bases (56) but also in runs scored (89), hits (135), and outfield putouts (327). In 1982, he surpassed Lou Brock's single-season record of 118 stolen bases with his 130. 108 stolen bases were added a year later, the third and last time breaking of the 100-mark in his career.
Rickey Henderson stayed with the Oakland Athletics for one more year and then, in 1984, was traded to the New York Yankees. In one of his best seasons, he hit twenty-four home runs and ended with a .314 batting average. Although he did not top his personal best that year, he was the first in stolen bases (80). Only champion slugger Don Mattingly was above him in that value.
In 1986 Henderson hit a career high of twenty-eight home runs; he also scored 146 runs. He averaged more than one run per game, a percentage comparable to that of legendary Yankee Lou Gehrig . As an outfielder he proved himself to be versatile, moving from left to center field in 1985 (he later returned to his preferred left field). While still a member of the Yankees, he continued to prove his base-stealing abilities, earning 93 steals in 1988.
In the middle of the next season, the athlete traded back to the Oakland A's signing a $12 million contract. He helped the squad to make the World Series, its first victory since 1974. After the move, Henderson batted .325 and scored 119 runs and twenty-eight homers in 1990. The following year, he beat Brock's career stolen-base record, with his 939th steal.
Throughout the 1990s, Henderson changed teams several times, competing for the Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres, and Anaheim Angels. At the end of the decade, he became a free agent of the New York Mets. The age didn't stop Henderson from proving himself valuable. Before leaving the team in May 2000, he batted a .315 average.
The Seattle Mariners were the seventh team which accepted Henderson as a member. However, the management of the squad decided not to resign the contract with an aging athlete for the next season. Henderson then joined the San Diego Padres. Though his batting average had dropped to .227, he continued scoring runs and even managed to become the game's all-time leader in that nomination in 2001. The same year, he surpassed Babe Ruth in career walks with 2,063. On the final day of the season, he logged the 3,000th hit of his career, that made him the 25th player in major league history with such score. Signing with the Boston Red Sox in 2002, Henderson proved his staying power by showing one of the highest on-base percentages on the team.
Rickey Henderson made his last appearance in a major league game on September 19, 2003, competing for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Over the next two years, he played for independent teams in minor league. The athlete announced his retirement from sport for good in 2007.
Close to his retiring, in 2006, Henderson was assigned first a special instructor for the New York Mets, and after retiring, he served as the team's first base coach. Then, the former baseball player took part in the Oakland Athletics' spring training camps from time to time, again as a special instructor. He served as a special assistant to Oakland A's President David Kaval in 2017.
(The baseball star shares the story of his life, describin...)
1992
Views
Quotations:
"I've always been fast, from the minute I was born."
"You have to keep running. I always believed I was going to be safe."
"If my uniform doesn't get dirty, I haven't done anything in the baseball game."
"I'm not a bad guy. I don't think any of my teammates think I'm a bad guy. I feel Rickey Henderson is a great guy. I am a performer. I give entertainment. I give my best on the baseball field. Whether I'm 100 percent or 60 percent, I'm giving my best all the time."
"It's just baseball. You always expect every team to go through this at one time or another."
"In baseball you train the whole body, except for the hip and eyes."
"Learning both sides of the plate – what is a strike and what is not a strike. And my biggest theory is being able to hit with two strikes, being able to put the bat on the ball."
"I think playing cards gave me the opportunity to relax in the game."
"People say I stole a lot of bases. I stole the bases for a reason. I crossed the plate."
"If you look at some of the people in the Hall of Fame, my numbers are compatible."
"My dream was to play football for the Oakland Raiders. But my mother thought I would get hurt playing football, so she chose baseball for me. I guess moms do know best."
"I haven't had the time to say, 'I'm retiring.' But baseball says, 'You're retired.'"
Personality
Rickey Henderson owes his first name to an American musician and actor Ricky Nelson. Initially surnamed Henley, Rickey adopted the surname of his stepfather, Henderson, when his mother remarried.
A talented athlete, Rickey Henderson earned a reputation of a cheerful and somehow eccentric, egotistical person because of his inclination to compliment himself. Though, he always claimed to be misunderstood.
Physical Characteristics:
Rickey Henderson is 1.78 meters tall. He learned to bat right-handed in his childhood, though he initially had a left-handed throw.
Quotes from others about the person
Billy Beane, former baseball player and current front office executive: "He's the greatest leadoff hitter of all time. I'm not sure there's a close second."
Bob Padecky, sportswriter: "As with all great athletes, Henderson's ability insulated himself from the common slings and arrows. His physical gifts were unparalled in Oakland's history. Forget Reggie and Rollie and Vida and the Catfish, all great players in their own right. This was Rickey Henderson, the most complete player ever to wear an Oakland uniform. Rickey could do things other players could only dream of. He was, and still is, a truly magical talent."
Charlie Metro, baseball player, manager, coach and scout: "I did a lot of study and I found that it's impossible to throw Rickey Henderson out. I started using stopwatches and everything. I found it was impossible to throw some other guys out also. They can go from first to second in 2.9 seconds; and no pitcher catcher combination in baseball could throw from here to there to tag second in 2.9 seconds, it was always 3, 3.1, 3.2. So actually, the runner that can make the continuous, regular move like Rickey's can't be thrown out and he's proven it."
Dan McGrath, sportswriter: "Rickey Henderson did (and said) a lot of truly amazing things during his Oakland A's days. Rickey was always pretty much into Rickey, but the impact he brought to a lineup as a leadoff hitter / base-stealer makes him a first-ballot Hall of Famer on this ballot."
Bill James, novelist: "Some people have asked me whether or not Rickey Henderson belonged in the Hall of Fame. I've replied: "If you could somehow split him in two, you'd have two Hall of Famers.""
Connections
Rickey Henderson met his wife-to-be, Pamela, while studying at Oakland Technical High School. They married in 1983. Pamela bore three children, Angela, Alexis, and Adrianna.
Rickey Henderson
Greg Roensch tells the story of Henderson, a controversial player at times, but first and foremost run-producing entertainer who led his teams to victory in many different ways.
2008
The Dawg Days of Summer: Rickey Henderson's Year as a Surf Dawg
The book tells a story about a superstar challenging the establishment to see him as a ball player, not statistics or accomplishments and working with teammates hungry for the same moment in The Bigs.