Meet Rickey Henderson

RICKEY HENDERSON

"The Man of Steal"

Positions: Leftfielder

Full Name: Rickey Nelson Henley Henderson

Bats: Right - Throws: Left

Born: December 25, 1958 in Chicago, Illinois

Organizations: Oakland Athletics (14), New York Yankees (5), San Diego Padres (4), New York Mets (2), Seattle Mariners (1), Boston Red Sox (1), Toronto Blue Jays (1), Anaheim Angels (1), Los Angeles Dodgers (1)

RICKEY HENDERSON'S WALL OF GLORY

HONORS AND AWARDS

• Hall of Fame: Inducted as a Player in 2009, by BBWAA with 94.8%
• All Star: 10 (1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991)
• MVP: 1 (1990)
• ALCS MVP: 1 (1989)
• Gold Gloves: 1 (1981)
• Silver Sluggers: 3 (1981, 1985, 1990)
• World Series Rings: 2 (1989, 1993)

BATTING

• On-Base%: 1 (1990)
• On-Base Plus Slugging: 1 (1990)
• Runs Leader: 5 (1981, 1985, 1986, 1989, 1990)
• SB Leader: 12 (1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998)
• Hits Leader: 1 (1981)
• BB Leader: 4 (1982, 1983, 1989, 1998)

FIELDING

• Def. Games as LF: 2 (1980, 1989)
• PO as LF: 4 (1980, 1981, 1989, 1990)
• Double Plays Turned as LF: 1 (1988)
• PO as OF: 1 (1981)
• Double Plays Turned as OF: 1 (1988)
• Fielding % as LF: 3 (1980, 1983, 1990)

WHO?

"The Man of Steal" is an American retired left fielder who played in MLB for nine teams from 1979 to 2003. He is widely regarded as baseball's greatest leadoff hitter and base-stealer. Henderson is the holder of MLB records for career stolen bases (1406), runs (2295), unintentional base on balls (2129) and leadoff HRs (81). At the time of his retirement, he was the all-time leader in base on balls (2190, now being Barry Bonds the new Record-holder with 2558 BB).

Rickey Henderson also holds the single-season record for stolen bases (130 in 1982), and is the only AL player to steal 100 bases in a season (he did it 3 times). He was among the league's top 10 base stealers in 21 seasons. His high on-base percentage, power hitting and speed made him one of the most dynamic players of his era, electrifying crowds with his instincts and enthusiasm.

Henderson leaded the American League in SB 12 times, and 11 times in 12 years (1980-1991), falling behind Seattle's 2B Harold Reynolds in 1987 (60 SB vs 41 SB), considering that Rickey played just 95 games. In one of his most iconic seasons, in 1990 (with the A's) The Man of Steal finished second in AVG (.325) behind Royals' George Brett, and leaded the AL in runs (119), SB (65), on-base percentage (.439) and OPS (1016), second in slugging percentage (.577), fourth in BB (97) and extra base hits (66), sixth in HR (28) and total bases (282) plus 61 RBI. Rickey won the AL MVP and helped Oakland to get the AL pennant.

In 1991 Henderson broke one of baseball's most noted records, when he got his career SB No 939, leaving behind former holder Lou Brock. In 2001 with San Diego Padres, Rickey Henderson collected his hit number 3000. With Tony Gwynn having 3141 hits, it was the second time in MLB history that 2 teammates each had 3000 hits (Ty Cobb and Tris Speaker played together in 1928 while with the Athletics). He retired after the 2003 season, batting .279, 297 HR, 648 RBI, 2295 R and 1406 SB. In 2009, on his first ballot, the Man of Steal was inducted into the Hall of Fame. 

MY COMMENT:

A destabilizing force.

That is what I think when I hear the name "Rickey Henderson". I'm sure that facing this man had to be a major problem for a starting pitcher since the very begin of a ballgame. Henderson could be giving a hard welcome to the pitcher with one of his 81 leadoff home runs. Or he may work to get one of his 2190 base on balls. There is a chance that he just get a base hit, given that Rickey is a member on the 3000 hits club. If Henderson finds a way to get on base, he could be stealing one (or even 2) bases, thanks to his blazing speed. and in this way, he could score at the slightest mistake of the opposite team, giving an early advantage to his own club. 

It had to be a nightmare playing against him, even if his prime was already gone.

One of the fan-favorite players of his time, the speedster was able to preserve his skills and speed for amazing 25 years, stockpiling stolen bases, runs, bases on balls and hits, as well as some franchise, league and MLB records (most of them related with his incredible speed and his ability to steal bases on a regular basis).

His career stolen base record is one of those made for last.

BEST FIVE SEASONS

Year	Age	Tm	Lg	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	Pos
1980	21	OAK	AL	158	591	111	179	22	4	9	53	100	117	54	.303	.420	.399	.820	*7/D
1982	23	OAK	AL	149	536	119	143	24	4	10	51	130	116	94	.267	.398	.382	.780	*78/D
1985	26	NYY	AL	143	547	146	172	28	5	24	72	80	99	65	.314	.419	.516	.934	*8/7D
1986	27	NYY	AL	153	608	130	160	31	5	28	74	87	89	81	.263	.358	.469	.827	*87/D
1990	31	OAK	AL	136	489	119	159	33	3	28	61	65	97	60	.325	.439	.577	1.016	*7D

Note: If you are using a cell phone to look at this table, put it horizontally for a better experience
What do you think? Do you think that Rickey's SB records could be broken anytime soon? Share your thoughts!