RIP Ricky Henderson

[a700hitter]

This is shockingly sad for me. 
 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/12/rickey-henderson-passes-away.html

[mvp 78]

Damn…

The Dollop did a great podcast series on him if anyone wants some more background than they already know.

[moonslav59]

One of a kind.

[smokedogg1982]

Man I can't believe it. Ricky Henderson was one of the first players I remember liking as a kid. I remember me and my dad watching the 1989 world series because he was one of my dad's favorite players. Really my first baseball memory. Rest in peace Ricky. This is one occasion I wish you hadn't been so fast.

[a700hitter]

I was at his Hall of Fame induction ceremony.  He went in with Jim Rice.  As usual, Ricky was the star of the weekend.

[sk7326]

greatest player of the 1980s - and one of the coolest.  I was grateful for his time in Boston - as brief as it was.  There was nobody like him.

[moonslav59]

I have always felt that anyone talking about themselves in the third person was pretentious and cocky, but with Ricky, it fit.

[notin]

At one point, Rickey was the all time career leader in three categories - stolen bases, runs and walks, until Barry Bonds surpassed him in walks.  It’s a small list for players who sat atop of three categories.

And he is still the all time leader in the other two.

One of the greatest offensive players ever…

[dgalehouse]

He had absolute confidence in his ability to steal bases. He called stolen bases " Rickey Bags".  

[notin]

19 hours ago, dgalehouse said:

He had absolute confidence in his ability to steal bases. He called stolen bases " Rickey Bags".  

According to multiple players around the league, he would arrogantly announce his stolen base attempts by yelling “Rickey gone!” before each one.

[notin]

On 12/21/2024 at 9:28 PM, moonslav59 said:

I have always felt that anyone talking about themselves in the third person was pretentious and cocky, but with Ricky, it fit.

Oh he was cocky as hell.  Cockiness might be the one thing he was better at than baseball…

[Jasonbay44]

Rest in Peace Rickey. I unfortunately was too young to witness his prime and my only memories of him playing were early 2000s, but I’ve watched many documentaries and YouTube videos about him. He had a special kind of speed, talent, cockiness and swagger to the way he played. We truly lost a great player 

[Bellhorn04]

Great, great player.  65 is way too young, 3 years younger than me.  RIP.

[notin]

1 hour ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Great, great player.  65 is way too young, 3 years younger than me.  RIP.

A lot of people might not realize it, but Rickey’s baseball career ended only 19 years ago.  He retired from MLB after the 2003 season, but played 2 more years of independent league ball, in which he stole 53 bases and was only caught 4 times.  He was ages 45 and 46 for those seasons…