Baseball legend Rickey Henderson died of pneumonia on Friday at the age of 65.
“There is no denying that Ricky Henderson is one of the greatest baseball players of all time. His accomplishments on the field speak for themselves, and his record remains unparalleled in baseball history. “He is the greatest player in Oakland history. An iconic player who left an unforgettable legacy for generations of Oakland fans during his 14 seasons with the Green and Gold. We are deeply shocked and heartbroken by his passing. His absence will affect more than just A’s fans. The A’s organization extends its sincerest condolences to Rickey’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.
A 10-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion, Henderson holds the all-time lead with an astonishing 1,406 stolen bases during his 25-year career, a record that still stands today. He led the league in steals for 12 seasons, including a stellar performance in 1982 when he set a single-season record with 130 stolen bases.
Henderson’s legacy runs deep into hip-hop culture, with some artists pausing to pay their respects. E-40 posted a video and several photos of the baseball legend declaring him the GOAT.
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“My favorite baseball player!! I adore this man! Rest in peace! Thank you🙏” – Peter Gunz
“RIP, an icon. The embodiment of greatness” – DJ Premier
“Before hip-hop, baseball was my thing. For this baby of the ’70s who followed the New York Yankees in the ’80s, he didn’t do any better than Rickey Henderson. Henderson was me The biggest source of inspiration for sports. Everything I do is designed in his style, I even chose the number 24 – Talib Kweli.
In addition to the stolen base record, Henderson also holds the MLB record for most runs scored, crossing the plate 2,295 times in his career.
Henderson also played for eight other teams, including the 2002 Boston Red Sox.
Henderson’s extraordinary talent and larger-than-life presence made him a true icon, even a hip-hop hero.
Photo: E-40 / Instagram
