Rickey Henderson — Hall of Fame left fielder and beloved baseball icon — passed away on Saturday after a long battle with pneumonia. He was 65.
And while MLB’s all-time stolen bases leader played the bulk of his career with the A’s, he also spent nearly seven seasons in New York in stints with the Yankees and the Mets.
Henderson’s Big Apple story began in December 1984 when the A’s shipped him and pitcher Bert Bradley to the Yankees in exchange for five players.
In his first season in pinstripes, Henderson switched to the number he would become famous with, 24, and subsequently paced the league in stolen bases (80) and runs scored (146 made him the first player since 1939 to amass more runs than games played).
Former Yankee Rickey Henderson waves to fans while running out onto the field as the New York Yankees celebrated Old Timers Day in 2017.Paul J. Bereswill
During the 1985 season, his batting average, .314, was the fourth best in the majors and he earned the AL’s Silver Slugger Award.
“Rickey was simply the best player I ever played with. He could change the outcome of a game in so many ways. It puts a smile on my face just thinking about him. I will miss my friend,” Don Mattingly said in. a statement on Saturday.
New York Yankees’ outfielder Rickey Henderson takes off to steal third base during a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics in 1986.AP
At the Yankees Old Timers Game, Willie Randolph, Darryl Strawberry, Chris Chambliss, Rickey Henderson and Mickey Rivers pose for a photo.Neil Miller
Over his next three and a half seasons with the Yankees, Henderson would set the franchise record with 326 stolen bases.
Derek Jeter eventually broke that record, though the shortstop had, at that point, played 1,700 more games than Henderson ever did in pinstripes.
“People always ask me who was the best player I’ve played with. I played with so many tremendous players through the years that I hate picking just one,” Willie Randolph said in a statement Saturday. “But pound for pound, Rickey Henderson was the greatest player I ever played with. He possessed so many talents that could positively impact the outcome of a game. I’m going to treasure the memories Rickey and I shared together. He was a special man.”
The righty speedster was traded back to Oakland in June 1989 and hopped around between the Blue Jays, the Padres and the Angels before landing in New York again in 1999, this time with the Mets.
Rickey Henderson slides into first base after a pickoff attempt by Marlins’ pitcher Dennis Springer in the sixth inning of a game in 1999.New York Post
Rickey Henderson and New York Mets teammate Pat Mahomes play cards before a workout during 1999 spring training.New York Post
Henderson had a resurgence of sorts, earning Comeback Player of the Year award honors with a .315 batting average, 37 steals and the seventh-highest on-base percentage in the National League.
His prowess at the leadoff spot helped the Mets reach the postseason for the first time since 1988.
Just 31 games into his age-41 season in 2000, after declining numbers and a controversial card game during the final contest of the 1999 NLCS, the Mets placed him on waivers and granted a release.
“Rickey Henderson was a dream to hit behind as [a] teammate and a nightmare for a catcher as an opponent. He was one of the most generous, hysterical and gracious human beings,” Mike Piazza wrote on X.
Rickey Henderson hangs cool in the Mets’ dugout during the 9th inning of a game in 2000.New York Post
Henderson briefly served on the Mets’ coaching staff in 2006-07, first as a special instructor to hitters and base stealers and later as first base coach.
