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Five of Rickey Henderson’s finest on-field moments

By Jennifer Rainwater

Mar 15, 2016; Salt River Pima-Maricopa, AZ, USA; Oakland Athletics special instructor Rickey Henderson talks with fans prior to the game against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2016; Salt River Pima-Maricopa, AZ, USA; Oakland Athletics special instructor Rickey Henderson talks with fans prior to the game against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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The 3,000 Hits Club

On the final day of the season in 2001, just over a decade after breaking the all-time stolen base record, Rickey Henderson became the 25th player in Major League Baseball history to collect the 3,000th hit of his career.

This accomplishment is what so many players strive for. Everyone who plays the game wants a chance to join the 3,000 hits club.

Just a year before Henderson made his entrance into the club, Cal Ripken Jr. had become the club’s 24th member.

Getting into the 3,000 hit club was not the last big accomplishment nor record set in the great story that was Henderson’s career

Since 2001, only five other players have gotten the 3,000th hit of their careers, Rafael Palmeiro in 2005, Craig Biggio in 2007, Derek Jeter in 2011, Alex Rodriguez in 2015 and most recently Ichiro Suzuki in 2016.

By the time Rickey Henderson was in his second stint with the San Diego Padres and collected his 3,000th hit on the season’s final day, he was 41 years old.

His skills and body were on the decline but he did manage to play in 92 games in what was his 23rd season in the Major Leagues.

He also managed to steal 31 bases that season. Obviously, a number that must have must have seemed quite small to Henderson.

Yet, it is also a number that some major leaguers never reach in a single season throughout their entire careers.

Getting into the 3,000 hit club was not the last big accomplishment nor record set in the great story that was Henderson’s career, but it was a great on-field moment that needed to recognized.