Rickey Henderson (left) poses with the author Amaury Pi Gonzalez (right) at the Oakland Coliseum (photo from Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

Rickey Henderson, Oakland A’s and MLB Hall of Fame, dead at 65

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Rickey Henderson began his Hall of Fame career with the Oakland Athletics in 1979 and died today of pneumonia, just six days short of his 66th birthday, December 25. I have covered Rickey Henderson since he arrived in Oakland in 1979 as a rookie.

He played for 25 years and holds the Major League Baseball record for career stolen bases with 1,406. One of the best leadoff hitters in baseball, Rickey always had a smile on his face, played with a lot of ‘gusto’, and enjoyed every minute.

The last time I spoke with Rickey, we discussed today’s game, where hitters’ average is in the low .200s, and nobody is close to challenging his record of stolen bases. He always called me “Chief. A broad smile and a physique were given to him by God.

In my opinion, he was the best player ever to wear an Oakland A’s uniform, which he wore four times throughout his career. He played for 25 years in the major leagues for nine (9) different teams from1979 to 2003; Athletics, Yankees, Blue Jays, Padres, Angels, Mets, Mariners, Red Sox and Dodgers.

Rickey Henderson was one-of-a-kind. Although he played for a quarter of a century with different teams in the American and National Leagues, he will always have a special place for Oakland A’s fans. Rest in Peace, Rickey.

Rickey Henderson Awards – From Baseball Reference:

1981 Gold Glove Award (American League Outfielder) 1981 The Silver Slugger Award (American League) 1982 Joe Cronin Award (Outstanding Achievement in an AL Season) 1985 MLB Player of the Month Award 1985 The Silver Slugger Award (American League) 1989 A.L.C.S. Most Valuable Player Award 1990 Most Valuable Player Award (BBWAA) 1990 The Silver Slugger Award (American League) 1999 The Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year Award 2002 Commissioner’s Historic Achievement Award 2009 National Baseball Hall of Fame

Amaury Pi Gonzalez called most of Rickey Henderson’s games through his career and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com