Howard Bryant reflects on the life of Rickey Henderson | SportsCenter

[@bgorski6937]

A sad day. When I was a kid I loved Rickey, by far my favorite. I have an entire binder filled with Rickey cards. He will be missed.✌

[@TzNuts]

Ricky Henderson and Barry Bonds were the two biggest azzholes to play the game

[@36ELGALAN]

I remember as a young kid collecting baseball cards of certain players, Ricky Henderson was one of those players, he was a highlight reel player

[@tonylvez]

Hold onto those cards and pass them onto your kids they hold sentimental value more than any monetary value.

[@JamMack-ke3jw]

This one oh boy just literally shattered my heart, tears were flowing Rest in peace Rick

[@nolongerblocked6210]

Rickey wasn't just the steals king, he was an all-around superstar! Without question Rickey is one of the top 10 all-around players in the history of the game

[@dlr6025]

He and Rose played like no others.

[@ericlarson7556]

Rickey Henderson would say Rickey Henderson approves of this reflection

[@jesusm2159]

Thank you ESPN for recognizing the great Rickey Henderson

[@TheLakers81]

Why are you thanking them? You don't need them to make someone relevant. everyone knows Ricky was a legend.

[@jesusm2159]

@TheLakers81 ESPN usually just focuses on East teams

[@BigDaddy52525]

They supposed to praise him you idiot. Hes a legend

[@Mario-Loco683]

​@@TheLakers81Relax..... he's being respectful 🫡

[@tonylvez]

@@Mario-Loco683Im with him why is op thanking ESPN for doing their basic job and talking about the GREATEST LEADOFF HITTER OF ALL TIME? They very least they can do is acknowledge his passing this isn’t some unmemorable player this is one of the greatest athletes of all time and your supposed to “world wide leader in sports”

[@johnpiner2151]

A one man wrecking crew. Nobody scared defenses more than Rickey. All around monster. What a great player. R I P there will never be another player like you.

[@dlr6025]

"Stud" is what comes to mind.

[@johnpiner2151]

Absolutely. He was the best. I loved to watch him so much. Hes my leadoff on my all time team. Should be for everyone. Damn was he a nightmare for any team he faced. What a player. Love ya Rickey. RIP.

[@courylanders4142]

I remember the 1989 American league championship against the Toronto Blue Jays. Dominant! Condolences to the Henderson family. RIP Ricky Henderson.

[@MarkHermann-u5p]

Fantastic clutch player October was his prime time

[@cwc8979]

RIP Rickey 🙏🏻 had the chance to meet him in 1990 or 1991 in Texas at the Sheraton Hotel at the time and he was gracious to take a pic with me

I got to meet him in Stockton when he would base coach for the team these last few years. I remember seeing him from the bleachers late 80s when the A's were a championship level team. Thanks for the memories, Rickey! RIP

[@cwc8979]

Good to hear your story, I saw him several times in the early 90s and he was one of the nicest guys in baseball 👍

[@ericmaldonado6374]

Hard to believe 😔 , such a great player and human being ... R.I.P. 🙏🏻

[@boyzbad1978]

I’m truly sad he’s gone 😢 love and respect to you Rickey…my all time favorite. RIP

[@FrankFloyd-rh1bd]

I loved baseball back in those days and it's sad what has become of it and all other professional sports today. R.I.P. Mr. Henderson!

[@ktrevino63]

Mr. Henderson was an elite athlete. One of my favorite players in MLB. RIP and condolences to the family. Thank you for all the great memories sir.

[@stuartfishman1044]

I watched Rickey throughout his career and there were no players close to him among leadoff hitters. His impact went beyond stats. He truly was unique, a generational player.

[@lewhite99]

There will never be a lead off hitter as productive as Rickey! Speed, on base high percentage, and tremendous power. Thank you for the excitement Rickey that you brought every game!

[@BambuSouljaBlessUP]

He is a top 10 no doubt and in many eyes a top 5 all time player ! RIP Rickey 🙏🏼

[@jojopuppyfish]

Personally I think one could argue he's even underrated.

[@36ELGALAN]

He's the greatest leadoff hitter ever.

[@BambuSouljaBlessUP]

@ no doubt 👍

[@peterungaro194]

Ricky was my favorite baseball player. Love how he attacked the game. MLB going miss him

[@DriveForShow]

Tragic day… Condolences to the Henderson family…I could not believe the news when I heard it. So many legends of the game have passed away recently. Rickey was 1 of 1….RIP Rickey.

[@jemelmoore7329]

A legends legend

[@Nick-NY]

There are no words to describe how great he was. “Great” isn’t a strong enough word.

[@7t8y2r3]

Rest in paradise Ricky 😪,,the greatest all around baseball player that I've ever seen,,and a great man on and off the field...❤🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹☘🍀🌱🍃🌿🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🪁🌉⛵✈🪂🛶⚓🛡🙏🏿✝️...

[@funinlv32]

Agreed.

[@7t8y2r3]

Thanks 👋🏾

[@johnkelly5202]

Ricky was a class act 🙏 for his family. He was so fast on the bases. He also played for Yankees

[@dwnmddl]

Baseball needs to go back to the days of Ricky Hendersons prime. He was my idol playing High School baseball. I worked very hard to improve my hitting because I wanted to lead off and steal bases like Ricky. Thanks Mr. Henderson.

[@chuygonzalezzz]

Man as a kid watching Ricky he was so good...Class act Legend..Very very good baseball player!

[@richpaydirt]

“THE MAN OF STEAL” + the GREATEST LEADOFF HITTER IN THE HISTORY OF THE GAME, one of the best fan-friendly players ever and a first ballot hall of famer. God broke the mold when he made Ricky Henderson, my favorite player of all time. I’m literally in tears, REST IN PEACE RICKY, this young mans hero.

[@bgorski6937]

This one hurts indeed.My childhood idol.

[@funinlv32]

While Rickey was flamboyant it never felt disrespectful, it just felt like it was Rickey.

[@jamiejmasters4818]

Yep, it wasn't an act, that's who he was, not a fake, not designed to gain social media followers, just Rickey being Rickey.

[@common_sense1512]

96 Padres - Rickey, Tony Gwynn, Ken Caminiti, Steve Finley, Wally Joyner - we went to LA with the final 3 games of the year behind by 2 games. Swept LA and won the division by 1 game. Good times back at The Murph ...

[@brandoncarpenter9681]

Nice call out, what a line up and cast of personalities.

[@bornfuct]

Back when the madres had class…

[@ClintDuncan-pb4lc]

Rickey, To Me Is The Best All Around Ballplayer In My Books, Hitting, Running, D.Fense From A Native American Brotha, Love U Rickey, We All Will Miss U Rickey!!

[@WarriorsforInfoTV]

I need to hear Tim Kurkjian to talk about him.

[@paytonsbears46]

Absolutely...and Bob Costas

[@francysvarona3567]

The best lead off hitter of all time!

[@TomboKaiOfficial]

Few players are so lucky to be associated with a city condolences to the city of Oakland.

[@TS1964]

Loved watching Ricky play ... An amazing athlete and great for the game! 💪

[@michael-rc5pv]

I was a kid when Rickey played for the Yankees one of the greatest of all time

[@aydantheyoutubeking]

Wow, wow wow No words just rip my man and you legend. Just thank you for everything 😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@BeyBrightOfficial]

Wow! Time is flying by fast 💨 Now in my mid fifties I can remember Rickey lighting up the television screen with his electrifying style of play! As a kid from New York City, when he played for the New York Yankees he gave the pinstripes a flair and brought the chills and thrills to The Bronx! A true baseball legend and along with Charlie Hustle, one of the most exciting players in baseball history! RIP Rickey!⚾️ 🕊️

[@ruthernatics]

Thank you @ESPN MLB For The Deepest Condolences From The Pass player Forever Rickey Henderson

[@tr0nd15c]

As a life long SF Giants fan, we love Rickey for representing the Yay Area. Got to see you play once at the Oakland Coliseum and in true form you stole a base. G*d Bless you Mr. Henderson.

[@cedricmccutchen3617]

Truly a great player and every aspect of the game. I enjoyed watching him steal bases and leadoff HR . Him and Vince Coleman always battle for stolen bases leader. .awesome baby

[@Epiphda1]

LEGEND, GOAT, ICON RIP RH 😔

[@wakawaka1976]

Rickey too fast for death… Rickey never die. Rickey live forever… 😢 Rickey always be the greatest .

[@dmoney668]

RIP. Great job as well ESPN Thank you

[@laconfidential8504]

One of the greatest and most entertaining players of all time. Heartbreaking to lose such an icon. Rest In Peace Rickey Henderson, Heaven just gained a leadoff hitter 🙏🕊️

[@mr198221]

Great stuff on Rickey, Howard. He was one of a kind. Glad he played for my Mets late in his career, like Willie, speaking of one-name superstars!

[@72defender]

Rickey wasn’t a ball player…he was a weapon!

[@tonymoreno1703]

The greatest leadoff player in history....

[@borood1188]

I got him in my all time outfield. LF- T. Williams CF- Mays RF- R. Henderson. Apologies to Ruth and Aaron, but I go with baserunners.

[@garrybenford9670]

When you walked him, that walk would then become a double, and maybe then a triple, then yet another run scored. Dynamic explosive player to say the least.

[@andymunoz5958]

Rickey, my man, he was genuine and will be remembered as a legend of the game. he transformed baseball. I remember BB from the sixties, watching Lou Brock break Ty Cobbs record and watching Rickey break Lou Brock's Record. As Rickey would say "There will never be another Rickey" -RIP Rickey

[@jesusm2159]

Rickey Henderson legend icon baseball ⚾️, Oakland A's icon shocking

[@lilrocnine6658]

I cried today because my baseball hero is gone. Rickey Henderson was the best player I have ever seen in my entire life to play baseball and I love a lot of players but he was the man

[@ason9741]

Rickey was a generational talent simply the best !!!!

[@evilmonkeyspeaks7801]

I was 10 years old when the A's traded Rickey to NY. I was so mad that I didn't watch baseball again until McGwire came along 2 years later.

[@WilliamBonney-gl2qf]

Rickey was a game changer! RIP Rickey

[@timotheegoulet1511]

Like Fernando before him Ricky has gone far too early. I’m glad I was around to enjoy his athleticism and drive for the game and life in general. One thing is for sure Ricky never gave up playing. Even near the end of his career when he was playing with minor league teams still trying to make it an AAAA roster; he would not give up. Until one day he eventually did. God bless you Ricky!

[@AlexSt-1]

Rest in paradise Rickey Henderson. 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

[@marmac7619]

He even played with my Seattle Mariners near the end! He was one of the true GREATS!

[@truehou]

Thank you, Rickey, for being the brightest light in our city. Oakland loves you and appreciates you for everything you were to us.

[@quincee3376]

RIP Rickey Henderson. Thanks for helping the Jays repeat in 93. Thanks for your entire career. Gone way too soon.

[@balaton1]

When Rickey Henderson lead off, NO ONE went to the concession stand. And when he got to first (by any means possible), then the real show began. Absolute Mad Lad! Rest in Peace, Hero!!!!

[@SamuraiChromatic]

Rest In Power

[@garyfiegel6208]

Great Outfielder also

[@raygiannamore]

You will never see another player with this specific set of skills. He was ELECTRIC.

[@rene8701]

Henderson is a legend!!

[@Ulove619]

This is heartbreaking!!! Wow I’m devastated beyond the words. This is hard to soak in. 65 yrs young & for pneumonia ??? He looked damn well last I seen him. Btw he was San Diego when he was here :).. I wanted to meet him :(. Pneumonia is the new ♋️ it seems.

[@alejandroruiz3058]

Rip Man of Steals! My favorite player in baseball! You were the best and had swag!!! You will forever be miss!

[@Dennis-kt7pc]

Wow, ESPN taking 10 minutes away from talking football 24/7 to discuss baseball

[@crankyasianman]

There will never be another Rickey. Totally shocked about his passing.

[@ksboutbiz]

RIP RICKY!!! Legends Never Die!!!

[@rolandpowell7868]

Howard is spot on!!!

[@daryljoseph]

I hope all the stealing he did doesn't keep him out of heaven. If God does hold it against him, I imagine that if God turns his back, Ricky will take off and slide under the pearly gates to get in. R.I.P Ricky

[@DadWorksVA]

By perfecting base stealing, pitchers try not to walk you (even though rhey walked him more than anyone) you then get strikes, strikes are great if you are learn to hit them- Rickey did that too, the greatest chess move in baseball - Man of Steal. Man of getting on base, man of making runs happen. Love his simple but grateful HOF speech too.

[@montecristo8016]

A single was an automatic double. You exhaled as the opposition, because it could just as well.. have been a home run,, or a triple. No matter what team he played for, He brought his own "Star". You did not make him, he made you, and he made you much better, We all must go. But I am in mourning when the true greats leave us. Peace, love and joy to his family. I thank you all for allowing me to enjoy his mark on what I love... Excellence.

[@nataliomendez9942]

Died at 65 years young, yet retirement is about 65 years right? 🤨🤨

[@ronwehunt5466]

My grandma love ricky he was the man

[@gerrypeet4861]

Everything said is true but also add in his longevity. He played for about a quarter century at a high level.

[@edwardanthony7283]

Still thought he'd live past 80. Still shocked.

[@wadeallen2735]

Rest easy Rickey.❤❤

[@jshudo44]

In my opinion, Rickey Henderson often gets over looked when it comes to the all time greats of MLB

[@Giantsforever]

No he doesn’t he was the greatest lead off hitter and best base stealer in MLB history

[@MikeHart72]

Ricky is never overlooked. The best lead off hitter ever. When he got in base very few people were watching the guy at the plate, all eyes were on him

[@jshudo44]

@@Giantsforever I completely agree with everything you said, however when it comes to the all time greats like Willie Mays and Hank Aaron, people often forget how great Rickey was. I don’t think he was the just greatest leadoff hitter, he was one of the greatest overall players of all time. He was in a class of his own

[@jshudo44]

@@MikeHart72 I’m glad fans like you can appreciate him like I do, he was and still is my favorite baseball player of all time. However I still think he gets lost in the conversation of greatest baseball player of all time.

[@MikeHart72]

@@jshudo44 Anyone old enough to watch when Ricky played knows how incredibly good he was and how he could alter a game. Those who weren’t old enough only need to look him up and they will know. I coached baseball for years and taught my players his style, they didn’t know this. Aggressive at the plate and even more aggressive on the bases. It was no secret that when our players got in first base that within 2 or 3 pitches they would be on 3rd looking for an opportunity to score I miss that style of play in the MLB

[@Oaktown605]

I remember him when he played for the A’s signing an autograph for me at the Coliseum. Great person ( THE MAN OF STEAL) Condolences to his family. R.I.P Rickey!!!😢🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@tzarro]

As only Rickey could do, he announced his death shortly after passing away...

[@WilliamBonney-gl2qf]

Rickey says Peace Out ✌️

[@KBB4eva]

Rickey was everything , couldn’t everything and it’s one of the saddest days in sports

[@XMan_310]

Rip Legend.

[@dantheman8152]

RIP to a legend

[@steve334]

He was the complete player

[@billlozier5551]

I hope they make a movie based on the book about Rickey.

[@RoyDelaughter-kx3hm]

One in a BILLION you think BO was fast

[@hughjass69702]

David cross has a great rickey henderson joke

[@marcosjuarez7809]

R.I.P. Rickey Henderson.

[@NK-zf5pq]

All true and the best leadoff hitter in baseball history.

[@ziggyconstant7864]

RIP Mr. Henderson RIP

[@jamesmckellar2784]

Most exciting player I ever watched play

[@edwardanthony7283]

You got a lot of everything with Rickey & for 25 years.

[@tyreepowell8367]

RIP Ricky Henderson

[@soilrocktree]

65 is kind of young. Did he have health issues?

[@ACD1994]

Pneumonia

[@DavidStarr-eg2kv]

His contract would be more than Sotos. RIP RICKEY

[@CUMBICA1970]

Jesus what happened? It's just shocking.

[@JamMack-ke3jw]

I found he died from pneumonia

[@caribbeanradiology7004]

RIP

[@maxkoon1220]

RIP RH… 🙏

[@P99-v6n]

The greatest of all time

[@miggy9260]

Pop that collar Ricky. RIP 🪦 🙏🏻

[@popsmoke99]

Shocked how he looked at just 65.... any back story to his real condition?