1985 AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR
"His impending free agency prompted the A's to trade this young star to the Yanks for Jay Howell and four minor leaguers, and the Yanks signed him to a long-term deal. Henderson played left for the A's but will probably be in center for the Yanks.
Henderson led the AL in stolen bases (66) for the fifth straight year and was successful on 24 of his final 26 attempts after being caught 16 times in his first 58 tries last season. He finished second in the league in runs scored (113), third in on-base percentage (.399) and tied for sixth in walks (86), yet drove in only 16 runs in the second half of the season.
He's the only player in history to steal 100 or more bases in three different seasons. Rickey set the major league single-season theft record with 130 in 1982. He's a four-time All-Star selection who signed with the A's as a fourth round selection in 1976.
Rickey was born in Chicago."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1985 Edition
"Never have two legs caused so much trouble for so many. That phrase can only be attached to Rickey Henderson- master base stealer. If you're a catcher, he'll keep you up at night. If you're a pitcher, he'll have you mumbling in the shower by the fifth inning and if you're a Yankees fan, he'll have you jumping out of your seat.
The record-shattering base thief provides the Yankees with the spark leading to their huge powder keg. Not since Mickey Rivers have the Yankees had such a potent offensive catalyst. Rickey and Willie Randolph will pepper AL defenses while Don Mattingly, Dave Winfield and Don Baylor deliver the fatal blows. It's a devastating combination and a credit to the Yankee front office for pulling off the trade that brought Henderson to New York. The fleet-footed 26-year-old will also give the Yankees an outstanding center fielder for years to come.
Rickey has charisma as well as talent, and he's sure to become a favorite among Yankee fans."
-The New York Yankees Official 1985 Yearbook
"In 1984 Henderson had a career high 27 doubles, 16 home runs and 58 RBI. His 66 stolen bases led the American League for the fifth straight year and were four more than the entire Yankees team output. He was second in the AL with 113 runs and third with a .399 on-base percentage- new teammate Dave Winfield was fourth at .393. Rickey hit .304 (14-for-46) with a homer and seven RBI against his new team.
Rickey had four hits on June 8 at Texas and went 13-for-25 (.520) from June 26-30. He stole four bases on July 2 at Boston. He was 14th in the AL as a road hitter (.299) and joins Don Mattingly (first at .364), Dave Winfield (second at .349) and Willie Randolph (11th at .301) among Yankee league leaders.
Henderson reported to Boise after the 1976 June draft hitting .336 with 29 steals in 36 attempts. At Modesto in 1977, he led the California League with a then record 95 steals, was third with a .345 batting average, third with 104 walks and led league outfielders in total chances (313). Rickey was named to the league All-Star team and was Modesto MVP. He became the fourth player in professional baseball to steal seven bases in one game (May 26 at Fresno).
In 1978 with Jersey City he led the Eastern League with 81 steals and led league outfielders in double plays (4) and assists (15), and was named to the Eastern League All-Star team. In 1979, Rickey stole 44 bases in only 71 Pacific Coast League games with Ogden, finishing fourth. He immediately stepped into Oakland's starting lineup when called up on June 23 and led the A's with 33 steals.
Rickey broke Ty Cobb's American League mark of 96 stolen bases in 1980 (100 steals) and became the first AL player and third big leaguer to steal 100 bases in a season. He was second in the league with 117 walks, third in on-base percentage (.422) and fourth in runs scored (111). In 1981, Rickey was named to the Sporting News All-Star team and won his first Gold Glove. He led the AL in hits (135), runs (89) and steals (56), and finished third in on-base percentage (.411) and fourth in the AL batting race with a career high .319. He hit .364 against the Yankees in the League Championship Series.
In 1982 Henderson broke Lou Brock's remarkable record of 118 stolen bases on August 27 at Milwaukee- and went on to steal a season total of 130 bases. He also led the AL in walks (116), was third in on-base percentage (.399) and walked five times against the Angels on April 8- a career best. Rickey went over the 100 steal mark (108) for the third time in his career in 1983- he's the only player to do it more than once in a career- and his stolen base success rate of 85% was his career best. He stole 66 bases in 77 attempts after the All-Star break and tied the AL mark by stealing seven bases in two straight games, July 3-4 at Texas. Rickey became the youngest player to steal 400 bases career bases on August 21 at Milwaukee.
Rickey has averaged 82 stolen bases per year over six major league seasons and has a career success rate of 78%. He's 31st on the all-time stolen base list, and with Joe Morgan's retirement becomes the active leader with 493. Three stolen bases will move him to 30th and seven will make him only the 30th player to reach the 500 plateau- he will also be the youngest player to achieve this height. A Henderson/Randolph 1-2 batting combination as averaged 104 stolen bases 163 walks a season.
Henderson graduated form Oakland's technical high school in 1976. He played baseball, basketball and football and was All-Oakland Athletic League for three years in baseball. As a senior he hit .465 and stole 30 bases; that year he played for the North team in California's annual high school All-Star game at Anaheim Stadium. In football, Rickey rushed for 1,100 yards in his senior year and received a reported two dozen scholarship offers to play football.
An Oakland resident, his hobbies include swimming and fishing."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
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