"Rickey Henderson: The Man of Steal"

One of the greatest baseball players of all-time whose moniker became 
well-known for stealing bases, runs, unintentional walks and leadoff 
home runs. All of which Henderson holds the records in. A player 
nobody wanted to pitch against knowing he could do just about 
anything. A very good left fielder and his offense was arguably 
generational during the 1980s.

Rickey Henderson passed away at the age of 65, five days before his 
66th birthday which would be December 25th. His career spanned 
twenty-four years with nine teams from 1979-2003. Two separate                                                                          tenures with his original team the Oakland Athletics. A ten-time MLB All-
Star ranks among the sport's top one hundred home run hitter and walks.

His Hall of Fame induction in 2009 which was the first year of eligibility.
Henderson was a highlight reel, if you grew up watching baseball in the 
1980s and fans were glued to their couches; as he'd steal bases left 
and right. Nobody has been able to top his stolen bases record of 130 
during the 1982 season. Only player in American League history to steal 
one hundred bases in a season, which he accomplished three times 
(1980, 82 and 83). Overall, his 1,406 career steals ins 50% higher than 
the previous record held by Lou Brock (983).

Henderson helped lead the Oakland A's to the 1989 World Series and
1993 Toronto Blue Jays; winning ALCS MVP in 1989 and AL MVP in
1990. His accolades beyond the 1980s were during a time which
players and stats became more valuable as the history of baseball.
Henderson was what we'd call "box-office" and must see television.                                                                        Nobody hadn't seen a man do this and play with passion and greatness
every single game.

Upon the declining of his historic career, the passion was still there to
help mentor upcoming players in a dugout. Prime years behind him,
Henderson wanted to leave on his own terms. When he officially retired
in 2007, it was a day of sadness to see him walk away. A great career
and see his legendary number 24 retired in 2009.

His personality was more fact than fiction; which he often spoke in third-
person. If you know, you know about people who use this context. If you

ever listened to an interview, a few chuckles would belt out from
viewers. Fans grew to love Henderson's interviews and even the casual
baseball pundits would leave with tears from laughing listening to a back
and forth between "Rickey and Rickey."

Rickey Henderson was truly one of one in how he played baseball. The
trifecta of lead off home runs, stolen bases and base runners. From all
of us at The Gryd, we send our deepest condolences to the family of
Rickey Henderson.