Rickey Henderson, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in baseball history and a cornerstone of the Oakland Athletics, has passed away at the age of 65. Henderson, who had been undergoing treatment for pneumonia, died Friday in the Oakland area, leaving the baseball world mourning the loss of a Hall of Famer whose impact on the game was unparalleled.

Known as the "Man of Steal" for his remarkable ability to swipe bases, Henderson holds Major League Baseball's all-time record with 1,406 stolen bases-a benchmark that no other player has come close to matching. Henderson's influence extended far beyond his legendary speed, as he also holds the record for the most runs scored, at 2,295, and amassed over 3,000 hits during his 25-season career.

Born in Oakland and a graduate of Oakland Technical High School, Henderson's connection to his hometown ran deep. Drafted by the Athletics in the fourth round of the 1976 MLB Draft, Henderson made his debut in the majors three years later and quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with. In 1980, during his first full MLB season, he earned an All-Star selection and finished 10th in MVP voting, setting the tone for a storied career.

Henderson's career was marked by his time with nine teams, but his stints with the Oakland Athletics were particularly memorable. After being traded to the New York Yankees in 1984, he returned to Oakland in 1989 and played a pivotal role in leading the Athletics to a World Series championship that same year.

One of the most iconic moments of Henderson's career came on May 1, 1991, when he broke Lou Brock's all-time stolen base record. After stealing his 939th base, Henderson famously pulled the third base bag out of the ground and raised it over his head in celebration. Speaking to a packed Oakland Coliseum, Henderson declared himself the "greatest of all time," a statement that reflected both his confidence and his unparalleled accomplishments.

In addition to his achievements on the field, Henderson's connection to the city of Oakland was solidified in 2017 when the Athletics renamed their home field "Rickey Henderson Field." His influence endured beyond his playing days, as he mentored younger players like Lawrence Butler and Esteury Ruiz, passing down wisdom to the next generation of Athletics.

Throughout his career, Henderson was a 10-time All-Star, won the 1990 American League MVP award, and earned three Silver Slugger Awards. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009 and the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame in 2020, cementing his legacy as one of the sport's all-time greats.

Henderson's passing comes just days before what would have been his 66th birthday on Christmas Day.