History of Rickey Henderson in Timeline

Rickey Henderson, nicknamed "Man of Steal," played 24 seasons in MLB from 1979 to 2003, primarily for the Oakland Athletics. Regarded as baseball's greatest leadoff hitter and baserunner, he holds MLB records for career stolen bases, runs, unintentional walks, and leadoff home runs. A ten-time All-Star, Henderson ranked among the top 100 all-time home run hitters and was the all-time leader in walks at the end of his career in 2003. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009.

1910: Eddie Collins Stolen Base Record

Eddie Collins set a franchise record with 81 stolen bases in 1910.

1915: Ty Cobb Stolen Base Record

Ty Cobb set an American League record with 96 stolen bases in 1915.

December 25, 1958: Birth of Rickey Henderson

Rickey Henderson was born on December 25, 1958, in Chicago.

1962: Maury Wills 100 Stolen Bases

Maury Wills stole 104 bases in 1962.

1973: Willie Mays' Retirement

In 1973, Willie Mays retired from professional baseball. His number 24 was unofficially retired by the Mets until Rickey Henderson wore it in 1999.

1974: Lou Brock 100 Stolen Bases

Lou Brock stole 118 bases in 1974.

1976: High School Graduation

Rickey Henderson graduated from Oakland Technical High School in 1976.

1976: Drafted by Oakland A's

Rickey Henderson was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in 1976.

1978: Mexican Pacific League Championship

In 1978, Rickey Henderson was part of the Navojoa Mayos team which won the Mexican Pacific League Championship.

June 1979: Major League Debut

Rickey Henderson debuted in Major League Baseball in June 1979.

June 24, 1979: Major League Debut

On June 24, 1979, Rickey Henderson made his major league debut with the Oakland Athletics, recording two hits and a stolen base.

1979: Start of Season with Ogden A's

Rickey Henderson began the 1979 season with the Ogden A's.

1979: MLB Debut

Rickey Henderson made his Major League Baseball debut in 1979 with the Oakland Athletics.

1980: Start of Henderson's Dominance in Stolen Bases

Beginning in 1980, Rickey Henderson started his dominant run as the American League stolen base leader.

1980: First 100-Steal Season

In 1980, Rickey Henderson stole 100 bases for the first time in his career.

1980: 100 Stolen Bases

Rickey Henderson stole 100 bases in the 1980 season.

1981: Henderson and Brock's First Meeting

Rickey Henderson and Lou Brock first met in 1981. Brock acknowledged Henderson as the likely successor to his stolen base record.

1982: Analysis of Henderson's 1982 Season

An analysis of Rickey Henderson's 1982 season, published in "The Hidden Game of Baseball", examined the impact of his stolen bases on the A's offense.

1982: Adoption of Exaggerated Batting Stance

In 1982, Rickey Henderson adopted an exaggerated crouch as his batting stance.

1982: Breaks Lou Brock's Record

In 1982, Rickey Henderson broke Lou Brock's single-season stolen base record with 130.

1982: Single-Season Stolen Base Record

Rickey Henderson set the single-season stolen base record with 130 in 1982.

August 1983: Thirteen Stolen Bases in Five Games

During August 1983, in a span of just five games, Rickey Henderson stole an astonishing thirteen bases, causing confusion among opponents who struggled to anticipate his moves.

1983: 100-100-100 Season

In 1983, Rickey Henderson achieved a rare feat by recording his third 100 runs/100 stolen bases/100 walks season. He led the American League with 108 stolen bases and 103 walks, while also scoring 105 runs.

1983: Marriage

Rickey Henderson married Pamela, his high-school sweetheart, in 1983.

1983: Henderson's Marriage to Pamela

Rickey Henderson married his high school sweetheart Pamela in 1983. They had three children: Angela, Alexis, and Adrianna.

December 1984: Trade to the Yankees and Jersey Number Change

In December 1984, Rickey Henderson was traded to the New York Yankees. He also switched to his famous number 24 after previously wearing number 35 with Oakland.

1984: Trade to the New York Yankees

In 1984, Rickey Henderson hit 16 home runs, led the league in stolen bases with 66, and was second in runs scored with 113. Following the season, he was traded to the New York Yankees.

1985: 20/80 Club

In 1985, Rickey Henderson became the first player in MLB history to achieve 80 stolen bases and 20 home runs in a single season, joining the exclusive "20/80 club."

1986: Leading the League

In 1986, Henderson led the American League in runs scored (130) and stolen bases (87) for the second consecutive year.

1986: Matching the 20/80 Feat

In 1986, Rickey Henderson again achieved 80 stolen bases and 20 home runs, matching his accomplishment from the previous year. He and Eric Davis remain the only members of the "20/80 club."

1986: Power Hitting Prowess

Rickey Henderson showcased his power-hitting abilities in 1986, hitting 28 home runs. He would match this total again in 1990. His increasing power contributed to his record for home runs to lead off a game.

1987: Henderson's Hamstring Injury

In 1987, Rickey Henderson missed part of the season due to a hamstring injury, which allowed Harold Reynolds to win the stolen base title that year.

1987: Below Average Season

Rickey Henderson had a subpar season in 1987 by his standards, facing criticism from the New York media. However, he still achieved his best on-base percentage to that point in his career (.423). It was his only season from 1980 to 1991 where he didn't lead the AL in steals.

1988: Leading the League in Steals

In 1988, Rickey Henderson led the American League in stolen bases with 93.

1988: Yankees Stolen Base Record

Rickey Henderson set the New York Yankees' stolen base record in 1988.

1988: Henderson Steals 93 Bases

Rickey Henderson stole 93 bases in 1988.

June 21, 1989: Trade Back to Oakland

On June 21, 1989, Rickey Henderson was traded back to the Oakland Athletics.

July 29, 1989: Five Stolen Bases against Randy Johnson

On July 29, 1989, Rickey Henderson stole five bases against Randy Johnson, his career-high and just one shy of the major league single-game record. Ironically, he was hitless in that game.

August 22, 1989: Nolan Ryan's 5,000th Strikeout Victim

On August 22, 1989, Rickey Henderson became Nolan Ryan's 5,000th strikeout victim.

1989: Henderson Breaks Postseason Stolen Base Record

During the 1989 ALCS, Rickey Henderson broke Lou Brock's postseason record for stolen bases in a single series.

1989: World Series Championship with Oakland A's

Rickey Henderson was part of the World Series champion Oakland Athletics in 1989.

1990: Henderson's MVP Season

In 1990, Rickey Henderson achieved his highest on-base percentage (OBP) of .439 during his MVP season.

1990: Matching Home Run Record

Rickey Henderson hit 28 home runs in 1990, matching his career-high from 1986 and further demonstrating his power-hitting skills.

1990: AL MVP Award

Rickey Henderson was named the American League Most Valuable Player in 1990.

May 1, 1991: Breaking Lou Brock's Stolen Base Record

On May 1, 1991, Rickey Henderson broke Lou Brock's career stolen base record, achieving his 939th stolen base.

1991: Henderson's Continued Dominance in Stolen Bases

Rickey Henderson continued to dominate the stolen base category in the American League until 1991, with the exception of the 1987 season.

July 1993: Trade to the Toronto Blue Jays

In July 1993, Rickey Henderson was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays. Despite a disappointing performance due to a hand fracture, he contributed to the team's World Series win.

July 16, 1993: Breaking the World Stolen Base Record

On July 16, 1993, Rickey Henderson broke the world stolen base record with his 1,066th stolen base, surpassing Yutaka Fukumoto's previous record.

December 1993: Return to Oakland

In December 1993, Rickey Henderson re-signed with the Oakland Athletics as a free agent.

1993: Henderson and Olerud with the Blue Jays

In 1993, Rickey Henderson and John Olerud were part of the World Series-winning Toronto Blue Jays team.

1993: Henderson's Doubleheader Home Runs

In 1993, Rickey Henderson hit lead-off home runs in both games of a doubleheader.

1993: Henderson Breaks World Stolen Base Record

In 1993, Rickey Henderson surpassed Yutaka Fukumoto's world stolen base record, cementing his place as one of baseball's greatest base stealers.

1993: World Series Championship with Toronto Blue Jays

Rickey Henderson won a World Series with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1993.

1996: Signing with the San Diego Padres

Rickey Henderson signed with the San Diego Padres in the offseason before the 1996 season. He continued to perform well, ranking in the top ten in several categories.

August 13, 1997: Trade to the Anaheim Angels

On August 13, 1997, the San Diego Padres traded Rickey Henderson to the Anaheim Angels.

January 1998: Return to Athletics

In January 1998, Rickey Henderson signed with the Oakland Athletics for the fourth time in his career.

1998: Oldest Steals Leader

In 1998, Rickey Henderson became the oldest player to lead the league in stolen bases, further demonstrating his longevity and prowess on the basepaths.

1999: Henderson and Olerud with the Mets

In 1999, Rickey Henderson and John Olerud were teammates on the New York Mets.

1999: New York Mets and Comeback Player of the Year

In 1999, Rickey Henderson joined the New York Mets and was named the National League Comeback Player of the Year by The Sporting News. He wore number 24, previously worn by Willie Mays.

1999: Henderson Ranked Among Greatest Players

In 1999, Rickey Henderson was recognized on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players.

2000: The John Olerud Helmet Story

In 2000, a fabricated story circulated about Rickey Henderson's supposed interaction with John Olerud regarding Olerud's habit of wearing a batting helmet on defense. The story, though untrue, gained traction in various news outlets.

2000: Departure from the Mets

In 2000, after salary disputes, feuds with manager Bobby Valentine, and dissatisfaction with travel arrangements, Rickey Henderson was released by the Mets.

2000: Bill James on Henderson's Records

In 2000, renowned baseball statistician Bill James highlighted the significance and sheer number of records held by Rickey Henderson, claiming that 50 Hall of Famers combined wouldn't match Henderson's record collection.

March 2001: Return to the Padres

Rickey Henderson returned to the San Diego Padres in March 2001.

2001: Breaking Records and Reaching Milestones

During the 2001 season, Henderson broke several MLB career records: walks (Babe Ruth), runs (Ty Cobb), and games in left field (Zack Wheat). He also reached his 3,000th career hit on October 7, 2001.

February 2002: Joining the Red Sox

Rickey Henderson signed with the Boston Red Sox in February 2002.

April 30, 2002: Red Sox Surpass Henderson's Stolen Base Total

On April 30, 2002, the Boston Red Sox, as a franchise, surpassed Rickey Henderson's career stolen base total.

2002: Leading Base Stealer Among Active Players

In 2002, at age 42, Rickey Henderson stole more bases than any other active top base stealer.

2002: Henderson's Financial Practices and Argument with Orlando Hernández

In 2002, stories emerged about Rickey Henderson's unique financial habits, including framing a $1 million signing bonus and using per diem envelopes as rewards for his children. He also had a public disagreement with pitcher Orlando Hernández, suggesting Hernández "needs to grow up."

September 19, 2003: Last Major League Game

Rickey Henderson played his last major league game on September 19, 2003.

2003: Reflecting on Career Longevity

Before the 2003 season, Rickey Henderson discussed his dedication to his long baseball career.

2003: Henderson Surpasses Babe Ruth

During the 2003 season, Rickey Henderson surpassed Babe Ruth's record for career secondary bases.

2003: Henderson Explains His Self-Referential Language

In 2003, Rickey Henderson clarified his habit of referring to himself in the third person, explaining that he uses "Rickey" to scold himself when he isn't performing as expected.

2003: Playing in the Independent League

In 2003, Rickey Henderson played for the Newark Bears in the independent Atlantic League.

2003: Rickey Henderson's Impact in 2003

In 2003, Rickey Henderson, at age 44, continued to draw significant attention and admiration within the baseball world. Padres closer Trevor Hoffman spoke highly of playing alongside Henderson, comparing the experience to playing with Babe Ruth. The persistent fan interest and daily emails received by Padres general manager Kevin Towers demonstrated Henderson's enduring popularity and unique aura.

2003: Henderson's Cultural Mythology Status

In 2003, Sports Illustrated writer Tom Verducci likened Rickey Henderson to American folk heroes like Johnny Appleseed and Davy Crockett, highlighting the blend of fact and fiction surrounding his persona.

2003: Last MLB Game

Rickey Henderson played his last major league game in 2003.

May 2004: Return to Newark Bears

In May 2004, Henderson returned to the Newark Bears for another season.

May 9, 2005: Joining the San Diego Surf Dawgs

On May 9, 2005, Rickey Henderson signed with the San Diego Surf Dawgs of the Golden Baseball League.

May 2005: Insistence on Playing Ability

In May 2005, Henderson insisted he could still play in the major leagues.

December 6, 2005: Retirement (Denied)

Reports of Henderson's retirement surfaced on December 6, 2005, but were denied by his agent.

2005: Henderson's Ranking Updated

In 2005, The Sporting News updated their list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players, and Rickey Henderson's ranking improved slightly.

February 10, 2006: Mets Hitting Instructor

Henderson became a hitting instructor for the Mets on February 10, 2006.

July 2006: Contemplating Return to Surf Dawgs

In July 2006, Henderson considered rejoining the Surf Dawgs but ultimately decided to take time off.

2006: Henderson Hired as Mets Special Instructor

In 2006, the New York Mets brought Rickey Henderson on board as a special instructor, focusing on hitting and base stealing. His influence was evident in the performance of José Reyes, a leadoff hitter for the Mets.

May 2007: Henderson on Coaching and Continued Passion

As of May 2007, Rickey Henderson was enjoying his role as a special instructor with the New York Mets. He discussed the satisfaction he received from helping players succeed, reaffirming that baseball remains an integral part of his life.

May 18, 2007: Possible One-Game Return with Athletics

On May 18, 2007, the possibility of Henderson returning to the Athletics for a single game in September was discussed.

July 13, 2007: Official Retirement (Conceded)

On July 13, 2007, Rickey Henderson finally conceded his official retirement from professional baseball, while still expressing a desire to play under certain circumstances.

July 2007: Tim Marchman Writes About Henderson's Accomplishments

In July 2007, New York Sun sportswriter Tim Marchman documented Rickey Henderson's career achievements.

2007: Lofton Breaks Henderson's Postseason Record

Kenny Lofton surpassed Rickey Henderson's record for most postseason stolen bases during the 2007 ALCS, though Lofton played in more postseason games.

September 2008: Henderson Discusses Base-Stealing Technique

In September 2008, Rickey Henderson provided a detailed explanation of his base-stealing technique to Sports Illustrated, offering insights into the methods that made him one of the most prolific base stealers of all time.

2008: Rare Batting and Throwing Combination

As of 2008, Rickey Henderson was recognized as one of the few successful players who batted right and threw left.

2008: Departure from Mets and Continued A's Involvement

Rickey Henderson was not retained as a coach by the Mets for the 2008 season. He periodically returned as a special instructor for the Athletics during spring training.

January 12, 2009: Henderson Elected to Hall of Fame

On January 12, 2009, Rickey Henderson was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, receiving a high percentage of votes.

February 26, 2009: Henderson Denies "Rickey" Anecdote

On February 26, 2009, during an interview on Mike and Mike in the Morning, Rickey Henderson denied the story about calling Kevin Towers and referring to himself in the third person.

July 2009: Henderson's Hall of Fame Induction

In July 2009, during his Hall of Fame induction speech, Rickey Henderson alluded to his earlier speech when he broke Lou Brock's record.

August 1, 2009: Number Retirement by Athletics

The Oakland Athletics retired Rickey Henderson's number 24 on August 1, 2009.

2009: Hall of Fame Induction

In 2009, Rickey Henderson was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

2010: Continued Work with Athletics

In 2010, Rickey Henderson continued to contribute to the Athletics as a special instructor during their spring training, specifically coaching base stealing and outfield skills, working closely with Rajai Davis and Coco Crisp.

May 28, 2011: Yankees Stolen Base Record Broken

On May 28, 2011, Derek Jeter surpassed Rickey Henderson's Yankees stolen base record.

2011: Rickey Henderson Bobblehead Day and Desire to Return

In 2011, the Oakland A's celebrated the 20th anniversary of Rickey Henderson's record-breaking stolen base with "Rickey Henderson Bobblehead Day." Henderson insisted the bobbleheads have dirt on them to look like he was playing. He also expressed his desire to return to baseball, saying he thinks about putting on the uniform when things aren't going right.

2011: Yankees Record Broken

Rickey Henderson's Yankees stolen base record was broken in 2011.

2021: Henderson's All-Time Rankings as of 2021

As of 2021, Rickey Henderson held several prominent all-time records and rankings, including first in runs scored and stolen bases, and high rankings in games played, at-bats, and hits. He held the second-highest career power-speed number.