The sports world was shocked Saturday following the announcement of Baseball Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson's death at age 65.
Immediately after the news broke, tributes began pouring in from around baseball from former teammates, opponents, and admirers of one of the sport's greatest and most iconic players.
I can’t explain what someone who was present in every memory, childhood to today, means to me or what it means to cope with having no more tomorrows alongside him. Rickey Henderson was the best ball player many know, but that is nothing in comparison to the brother he is to me. pic.twitter.com/mAg79fpxhA
— Dave “Smoke” Stewart (@Dsmoke34) December 22, 2024
Rickey Henderson was a dream to hit behind as teammate and a nightmare for a catcher as an opponent. He was one of the most generous, hysterical and gracious human beings..He will be sorely missed..Prayers for his soul and family..#MLB #HOF pic.twitter.com/nL7tJeDIrE
— Mike Piazza (@mikepiazza31) December 21, 2024
My heart hurts and I’m stunned to learn of the passing of my friend, brother, and teammate Ricky Henderson. He will be missed dearly. He was Superman on the field and full of life off the field. I hated playing against him but loved having him as a teammate. RIP my brother!!! pic.twitter.com/sxLq7Kelw4
— Todd Stottlemyre (@ToddStottlemyre) December 21, 2024
Rest In Peace Rickey Henderson
— Jeff Passon (@JeffPassson) December 21, 2024
Greatest base stealer in the history of baseball
One of a kind pic.twitter.com/VHST8LrPsj
I’m heartbroken and devastated.
— Jose Canseco (@JoseCanseco) December 22, 2024
Rickey Henderson was an incredibly talented player but an even better human.
I’ll never forget all the incredible memories we created together. Memories I’ll never forget.
Rest easy my friend pic.twitter.com/pBcJjSP6fz
Former A’s GM Sandy Alderson on Rickey Henderson: pic.twitter.com/uUNU7pphE4
— Martín Gallegos (@MartinJGallegos) December 22, 2024
I’m very sad about the loss of my friend, teammate and fellow Hall of Famer. We were two Bay Area boys. I was proud to play with him. He was the greatest player I ever played with. I cherished our recent times together both in Cooperstown and at the Oakland Coliseum. My…
— Dennis Eckersley (@Eck43) December 22, 2024
Saddened by the passing of our friend, Rickey Henderson, the greatest leadoff hitter in @MLB history! Was proud to induct him into our Hall of Game in 2015 along with Fergie Jenkins, Ozzie Smith and the late Luis Tiant. Condolences to his family, friends and legion of fans! pic.twitter.com/ZlVyjHwETY
— Bob Kendrick (@nlbmprez) December 21, 2024
Heavy heart today with this news. Being teammates with him my rookie year was incredible. The banter was real. The wisdom was endless. I was lucky enough to wear #23 next to his #24 virtually everyday. So many stories coming out of that season. Gonna miss you my man. 👊🏻 https://t.co/OMNySBnQGz
— AJ Hinch (@ajhinch) December 21, 2024
We join the baseball community in mourning the passing of Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson.
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) December 21, 2024
His impact on the game, in the community, and on our organization will be remembered forever.
Our thoughts are with his loved ones during this difficult time 💙 pic.twitter.com/tFd1K3oDgv
I was around Rickey Henderson for only one season in Toronto and yet I interviewed him more than almost any Blue Jay ever. He was such a character, a great player, so funny, so amusing, that you couldn’t help but be around him. RIP Rickey. You left an imprint on so many of us.
— Steve Simmons (@simmonssteve) December 21, 2024
Rickey Henderson's energy is one of the reasons baseball is the best 🫶
— slangsonsports.bsky.social (@slangsonsports.bsky.social) December 21, 2024 at 4:02 PM
The active leader in stolen bases is Starling Marte.
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) December 21, 2024
With 354.
If he’d stolen another 50 a year, he’d still be 200 behind Rickey Henderson.
RIP to Rickey, a true baseball legend
This feels a little silly in retrospect but I think I genuinely believed Rickey Henderson was too cool to die
— Michael Baumann (@baumann.bsky.social) December 21, 2024 at 2:40 PM
Sad day Rickey Henderson was an absolute legend!! Loved every second I was around him. R.I.P
— Josh Donaldson (@BringerOfRain20) December 21, 2024
My favorite Rickey Henderson story. Remember when players wrote the uniform number of a traded or released teammate on their caps? One time, Rickey had 24 on his cap. I asked him to whom that was a tribute. He said “That’s Rickey’s number. It’s a tribute to Rickey!” RIP.
— Howie Rose (@HowieRose) December 21, 2024
When Rickey Henderson passed Yutaka Fukumoto for the stolen base record, he not only gave him the base, but also blessed us with the Rickeyest of Rickeyisms, calling him him "The World's Greatest Base Stealer of Japan"
— Gaijin Baseball/外国人野球 (@GaijinBaseball) December 21, 2024
They remain the only members of the 1000 SB club
RIP Rickey pic.twitter.com/ObeHjSVNQN
Probably my favorite Rickey Henderson story, as told by @ToddStottlemyre, when Rickey got him off the hook.
— Tony Wuench (@twuench) December 21, 2024
TS has gone on, at length, about how smart of a baseball player that RH was; which was true about many of the greats. RIP, Rickey.pic.twitter.com/iBAKOanxwh
And this right here folks will forever be my favourite Rickey Henderson story pic.twitter.com/CQsPK1tdwW
— BaseballHistoryNut (@nut_history) December 21, 2024
