Remembering former Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Rickey Henderson on his birthday
Photo credit: https://winnipeg.citynews.ca
Known as baseball's 'Man of Steal', Rickey Henderson had a lengthy list of accolades and accomplishments over his nomadic 25-year career.
A quick trip to Henderson's Baseball Reference page makes it abundantly clear how special and unique of a player he was.
Major League Baseball's career record holder for steals (1406) and runs scored (2295), and second all-time in walks (2190), he set the gold standard for leadoff hitters over his 25-year career.
The ten-time All-Star also blasted 297 career home runs, earning first ballot Hall of Fame entry in 2009 and a 111.1 bWAR - ranking 19th in MLB history.
Rickey Henderson robbing Cal Ripken Jr. is an elite clip.
Henderson came to the Blue Jays via trade with the Athletics in July of 1993
Toronto Blue Jays fans will remember the Hall of Famer from his half-season stint with the club during the World Series winning team of 1993.
Henderson was traded from the Oakland Athletics to the Blue Jays on July 31, 1993. In return, the Athletics received pitcher Steve Karsay and right fielder Jose Herrera.
1993: The newest member of the Blue Jays. Rickey Henderson, pays teammate Turner Ward $25K for the use of his number #24! 🤑
In 44 regular season games with the Blue Jays, Henderson batted .215 with four home runs and 12 runs batted in.
During 163 at bats and 203 plate appearances, Henderson scored 37 runs and had 35 hits, three doubles, one triple, 22 stolen bases, 35 walks, 52 total bases, one sacrifice bunt, two sacrifice flies, an on base percentage of .356 and a slugging percentage of .319.
He was standing on second base when Joe Carter hit his famous walk-off home run.
The last time the Blue Jays played in a World Series Game 6, Joe Carter hit a LEGENDARY walk-off home run to win it all!
Many credit Henderson for the home run, since he was distracting Philadelphia Phillies closer Mitch Williams to the extent that he was rushing his delivery to Carter using a slide step and ultimately hung a slider to the Jays slugger.
Dave Stewart and Rickey Henderson celebrate in the Blue Jays locker room after winning Game 6 over the Phillies to claim the 1993 World Series.
When Henderson passed away last year at age 65, Don Mattingly was asked what it was like to play with Rickey and his response said it all.
"Rickey was simply the best player I ever played with. He could change the outcome of a game in so many ways," said Don Mattingly, Henderson's teammate with the Yankees from 1985-89. "It puts a smile on my face just thinking about him. I will miss my friend."
When Josh Donaldson was with the Athletics in Spring Training camp, Rickey Henderson was brought in to show the players how to take a lead.
Henderson's list of accolades includes an MVP, 10 All-Star selections, two World Series titles, including one with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1993, and a Gold Glove award.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 25 | 126 ANSWERS Remembering former Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Rickey Henderson on his birthday Did you ever see Rickey Henderson play for the Toronto Blue Jays? | ||
| Yes | 95 | 75.4 % |
| No | 31 | 24.6 % |
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