All-time MLB leader in stolen bases (1,406), runs (2,295), and leadoff HRs. 1990 AL MVP. 2× World Series champion. The greatest leadoff hitter ever.
Position
Left Fielder
Size
5'10" · 195 lb
Born
Dec 25, 1958 · Chicago, Illinois
Died
Dec 20, 2024
Drafted
1976 · pick 96
1,406
Stolen Bases
2,295
Runs Scored
3,055
Hits
2,190
Walks
297
Home Runs
Rickey Henderson played 25 MLB seasons across nine teams (Oakland four separate times, Yankees, Blue Jays, Padres, Angels, Mets, Mariners, Red Sox, Dodgers). The all-time MLB leader in stolen bases (1,406 — 468 ahead of second place), runs scored (2,295), and leadoff home runs (81). Won the 1990 AL MVP, two World Series rings (1989 with Oakland, 1993 with Toronto), and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009 with 94.8% of the vote. The single-season stolen-base record of 130 (Oakland, 1982) is one of the few MLB records that may genuinely never be broken. Henderson died December 20, 2024 from pneumonia at age 65.
Career
1979-1984, 1989-1993, 1994-1995, 1998
Oakland Athletics (4 separate stints)
Spent 14 seasons across four stints with Oakland — his original team. Won the 1989 World Series, the 1990 AL MVP, the AL MVP runner-up in 1981 and 1985, and set the modern single-season stolen base record (130 in 1982).
1985-1989
New York Yankees
Five seasons in pinstripes after Oakland traded him in December 1984. Led the AL in steals all five years, scored 100+ runs in four of five, and made the All-Star team annually. Returned to Oakland mid-1989 in time for the World Series.
Blue Jays / Padres / Angels / Mets / Mariners / Red Sox / Dodgers
Multiple short late-career stints across nine more franchises. Won the 1993 World Series with Toronto. Played his last MLB game in 2003 with the Dodgers at age 44.
Honors & Awards
2× World Series Champion (1989 with Oakland, 1993 with Toronto)1990 AL MVP10× MLB All-StarBaseball Hall of Fame (2009, 94.8%)All-time MLB stolen base leader (1,406)All-time MLB runs scored leader (2,295)All-time MLB leadoff HR leader (81)Single-season stolen base record (130 in 1982)MLB All-Century Team (1999)