As news of the passing of baseball legend Rickey Henderson spread Saturday, former teammates, players and others affiliated with the game expressed their condolences and shared their memories.
Henderson, a 10-time All-Star and the all-time stolen base leader, died on Friday at age 65 after a bout with pneumonia, multiple outlets reported.
“For multiple generations of baseball fans, Rickey Henderson was the gold standard of base stealing and leadoff hitting,” MLB commissioner Robert D. Manfred said. “Rickey was one of the most accomplished and beloved Athletics of all-time. He 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. When we considered new rules for the game in recent years, we had the era of Rickey Henderson in mind.
“Rickey earned universal respect, admiration and awe from sports fans. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I send my deepest condolences to Rickey’s family, his friends and former teammates, A’s fans and baseball fans everywhere.”
Typified by an everlasting love of the game, the “Man of Steal” was inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009.
Fellow Hall of Famer Wade Boggs expressed his condolences, noting that Henderson would be dearly missed.
Statement from the New York Yankees:
Rickey Henderson was an all-time great player who commanded our attention like few players before or since, transcending our traditional understanding of how elite and thrilling a single player could be in in the batter's box and on the… pic.twitter.com/qeduKLmoUO
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) December 21, 2024
The Raiders Family mourns the passing of Rickey Henderson. pic.twitter.com/cbrNd1RgBN
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 21, 2024
Absolutely devastated to hear that Rickey Henderson passed away! Prayers to his family. Truly grateful I was able to pick his brain and just soak up a little bit of the knowledge he passed on. Sad day in sports, but legends never die! Rest easy Man of Steal. pic.twitter.com/sq4bA11ex1
— Cameron Maybin (@CameronMaybin) December 21, 2024
There has never been a more dynamic baseball player, an almost impossible combination of speed, power, and flair. Rest in peace, Rickey Henderson. You most certainly were the greatest of all time. pic.twitter.com/P2uUIWPgcx
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) December 21, 2024