Rickey Henderson, World Series Champion And MLB All-Time Steals Leader, Dead At 65

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"Rickey lived his life with integrity, and his love for baseball was paramount."

MLB legend and all-time steals leader Rickey Henderson has passed away at age 65.

Henderson, a Major League Baseball Hall of Famer and two-time World Series champion, died on Friday (Dec. 20) from complications related to pneumonia.

The baseball star was previously admitted to a hospital due to his deteriorating health prior to news of his death, which quickly spread throughout the sports world upon confirmation by Henderson’s family.

“A legend on and off the field, Rickey was a devoted son, dad, friend, grandfather, brother, uncle, and a truly humble soul,” Henderson’s wife, Pamela Henderson, said of her late husband in a statement released on Saturday (Dec. 21).

“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.”

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred also acknowledged the former American League MVP for his stellar play and contributions to the game.

“For multiple generations of baseball fans, Rickey Henderson was the gold standard of base stealing and leadoff hitting,” Manfred said in a statement. “Rickey was one of the most accomplished and beloved Athletics of all time.”

The commissioner continued, adding that Henderson “also made an impact with many other clubs during a quarter-century career like no other. Rickey epitomized speed, power, and entertainment in setting the tone at the top of the lineup.”

Drafted by the Oakland A’s in the fourth round of the 1976 MLB Draft, Henderson was called up to the major leagues in 1979, quickly becoming one of the more sensational players in all of baseball.

He became the third player in the modern era to steal 100 bases in a single season during his rookie year and later broke Hall of Famer Lou Brock’s single-season record with 130 stolen bases in 1982.

Henderson would be traded to the New York Yankees in 1984 before returning to the A’s in 1989, winning the MVP of the American League Championship Series and leading the A’s to their first World Series title in franchise history.

Henderson would also play for the Toronto Blue Jays, with whom he won his second and last World Series in 1993, the San Diego Padres, Anaheim Angels, New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, and Los Angeles Dodgers before retiring in 2003 after 25 seasons.

Henderson remains MLB’s all-time steals leader with 1,406 bases stolen bases and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.