By Mike Whiteman December 22, 2024 "Rickey was a true game changer. The best player I ever played with" - Don Mattingly Rickey Henderson passed away Friday at the much too young age of 65. Yesterday, tributes poured in from all over the baseball universe to a truly special player. Rickey Henderson's Yankee story began when they acquired him from the Oakland A's after the 1984 season for a package of five young players, highlighted by Jose Rijo. At that point in his career, Henderson had five full seasons under his belt, three in which he stole 100 or more bases and three times walking 100 or more times. He was one of the greats of the game and in his prime and was anticipated to lead a lineup that included big bats Don Mattingly and Dave Winfield. I remember at the time of the trade that the disappointment of the 1984 season, in which the Yankees finished 17 games behind Detroit in the American League East, seemed far, far away. Henderson’s first season in Pinstripes was one of the greatest in team history. His 9.9 WAR in 1985 has only been surpassed by guys named Ruth, Gehrig, Mantle, and Judge. He batted .314 with 24 home runs and a franchise record (he later shattered twice) 80 stolen bases while skillfully playing centerfield in Yankee Stadium. Much like Juan Soto transformed the Yankees' lineup in 2024, Henderson did the same in 1985. The Yankee offense was the class of the American League, leading the league in runs scored and OPS+. Henderson scored 146 runs that season, setting the table for 100+ RBI seasons for Mattingly and Winfield, and 91 driven in by DH Don Baylor. That team was the closest Henderson would get to postseason baseball with the Yanks, as they finished two games behind the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL East.
Mattingly took home the AL Most Valuable Player that season. While it’s hard to argue with a .324, 35 HR and 145 RBI season with Gold Glove, I wouldn’t be surprised if the voting took place today that Henderson, who finished in third place behind Donnie Baseball and George Brett, would take home the hardware.
Henderson spent about four and a half years in the Pinstripes, slashing .288/.395/.455 with 135 OPS+ and 326 stolen bases. He swiped 93 bags in 1988, still a team record. He was traded back to Oakland in 1989, where he got a World Series ring that season, and finally his MVP in 1990. After his second stint with the A’s, he changed addresses a lot, and played for nine total teams before his career was over – including two more stops in Oakland. He was a productive player for a long time, leading the AL in stolen bases at age 39, and slashing .315/.423/.466 with 37 steals as a 40-year-old with the Mets in 1999. Henderson also performed as the games got important, slashing .284/.389/.441 with 33 stolen bases in 60 postseason games. He carried the A’s to victory in the 1989 ALCS over Toronto when he batted .400 with two home runs, five RBI, eight stolen bases, seven walks, eight runs scored in just five games. It was one of the most dominant postseason performances in MLB history. The statistical legacy of Rickey Henderson is formidable. His 1406 career stolen bases and 2295 runs scored are MLB records unlikely to be broken. He holds the single-season stolen base record with 130 in 1982, and led the AL in stolen bases at age 21 and 39. He is one of the select few players with over 3000 hits. He walked 2190 times, second of all-time. His 111.1 WAR is nineteenth in MLB history.
But he was much more than the numbers. From the leadoff spot in the batting order, he was one of the most dynamic players in the over 100 years of the sport. He could hit a home run (his 81 homers leading off a game is the most in MLB history), draw a walk, or get a base hit. Once he got on base, things got real interesting. Not only was the sheer volume of stolen bases disruptive, but just the threat of a steal would draw a pitcher's attention, and result in throw after throw over first base in an attempt to keep him close. If he stole second base, a pitcher and catcher’s ordeal wasn’t finished, as he was liable to take third, which he did 322 times.
Henderson was a force on the baseball field, one of only a handful of such players.
With us being in the midst of Hall-of-Fame voting season, there's much discussion of what makes a Hall-of Famer. Those of us who watched Rickey Henderson play were treated to the sight of not only a no doubt Hall of Famer, but an "inner-circle", legacy player.
What a thrill it was.
Sports are very much in focus this year. I am very interested and admire geometry dash meltdown good sports players.
Henderson was an out-sized force on the 1985 Yankee team,
a team that scored a total of 660 runs in 162 games.
Great job Mike.
I'll never forget when the Yankees traded for Rickey henderson. Oh my! "WE GOT RICKEY?!" I loved him. He was special.
(I didn't love him so much when he was on the A's and Blue Jays and beating the Yankees all the time.)
From the time he came up to MLB in Oakland, i followed his career. The night they announced be was traded to the Yanks, was a dream come true. He did amazing things on the field. As Phil Rizzuto would say many times on WPIX, he "cut the mustard". With a little pitching in 85 and 87, they could have been special. For you guys that didn't see him, when stealing a base, he was at full speed @ 2 strids. Amazing! He's with his mentor and father figure now, Billy. RIP Rickey!