Blink and you wouldve mi sed him. Its not just that Rickey Henderson was fast, though the all-time MLB leader in stolen bases certainly was fast. It wasnt just that uncanny knack, as if Henderson knew, instinctively, when the pitcher would begin his delivery and what kind of pitch he was about to throw. And it wasnt that Henderson was always on base, either, even if it seemed that way even, with his career. 401 on-base-percentage, he was. Oakland Athletics Rickey Henderson holds up third base after breaking Lou Brocks all-time career record for stolen bases during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees in Oakland, Calif. AP Oakland As Rickey Henderson steals second base during the second inning of a Major Larry Bowa Jersey League Baseball game against the Colorado Rockies in Denver, Colorado on June 26,1998. REUTERS Explore More If my uniform doesnt get dirty, I havent done anything in the baseball game, . It was, for Henderson, , all of these things and more. An accomplished high school running back, Henderson turned down collegiate football scholarships and instead signed with the Oakland As in 1976. In 1980, his first year as a full-time regular in the majors, Henderson recorded 100 swipes, breaking Hall of Famer Ty Cobbs 65-year-old American League record. Rickey Henderson dives back to first plate in the 4th inning of a game between the Mets and Brewers in 2000. New York Post Two years later, at the age of 23, he nabbed the modern single-season record, stealing 130 bases to best Hall of Famer Lou Brocks previous high of 118. Hendersons audacity, for those who faced off against him, was tantalizing. He always said, Rickeys gotta go! right before he stole, . Former Mets and Yankees manager Buck Showalter, whose connection to Henderson goes back to the 1970s, said the outfielders abilities and preparation were special. I played against Rickey when he was with Jersey City in the Eastern League in 1978, Showalter said in a statement Saturday. He batted .310 but didnt hit a home run in 133 games. People dont realize how dedicated he was to being the best he could be. He took great care of his body and was ahead of his time in nutrition and conditioning. In my opinion, he was the best leadoff hitter of all time. Mets Rickey Henderson looks back after stealing his third base of the night in the fifth inning of game two at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix on Oct. 5, 1999. New York Post The righty stole bases in every city, . He epitomized speed, power and entertainment in setting the tone at the top of the lineup. When we considered new rules for the game in recent years, we had the era of Rickey Henderson in mind, MLB commi sioner Rob Manfred said Saturday. Even in his age-41 season, he was still chugging along mightily; that year, splitting his time between the Mets and Mariners, he stole 36. His record, like his jersey in Cooperstown, are eternal. My favorite hero was Muhammad Ali, Henderson said during his Baseball Hall of Fame induction speech. He said one time, quote, I am the greatest, end of quote. That was something I always wanted to be, and now that the [Baseball Writers A sociation of America] has voted me into the Baseball Hall of Fame, my journey as a player is complete. I am now in the cla s of the greatest players of all time, and at this moment, I am very, very humbled. Manny Trillo Jersey
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