MLB legend Rickey Henderson dies at 65
Oakland Athletics great Rickey Henderson has passed away on Friday. Per TMZ, the speedster was battling pneumonia and passed away at the age of 65 in the Oakland area.
Henderson was an enigma in the sport. He enjoyed a fruitful 25-year career in the big leagues where he did nothing but turn heads. During that span, he was a 10-time All-Star, AL MVP, and three-time Silver slugger.
He still holds the all-time steals record, single-season stolen base record, and holds the record for most career runs. Henderson is also a member of MLB's Hall of Fame. He was inducted in 2009 after receiving 94.8%, getting in on his first ballot.
Rickey Henderson made base stealing an art form
Rickey Henderson got his start in the big leagues after the Oakland Athletics drafted him in the fourth round of the 1976 MLB Draft. It would not take long for him to make his big-league debut, doing it in 1979.
In just 89 games, he hit .274 while stealing 33 bases, showing off his potential. By the 1980 season, Henderson became just the third modern-era player to record 100 steals in a single season.
In 1982, Henderson broke the record for most steals in a single season. He finished with 130, surpassing Lou Brock's record of 118, which was thought to be unbeatable at the time.
For reference, Cincinnati Reds slugger Elly De La Cruz led all MLB hitters in stolen bases this past season. His total of 67 was just over half of what Henderson did during the 1982 season.
Even with the increased base sizes and limited pickoff attempts pitchers have, this record will be tough to beat. A batter will have to make beating that record their goal if they want a shot.