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Oakland Athletics Mount Rushmore

By David Hill

OAKLAND, CA - CIRCA 1990: Outfielder Rickey Henderson #35 of the Oakland Athletics runs the bases during an Major League Baseball game circa 1990 at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California. Henderson played for the Athletics from 1979-84, 1989-93,1994-95 and 1998. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - CIRCA 1990: Outfielder Rickey Henderson #35 of the Oakland Athletics runs the bases during an Major League Baseball game circa 1990 at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California. Henderson played for the Athletics from 1979-84, 1989-93,1994-95 and 1998. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
(Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Rickey Henderson

The Oakland Athletics and Rickey Henderson truly valued one another. That relationship led to Henderson being a part of the A’s four different times.

The greatest leadoff hitter in history, some of Henderson’s most memorable moments came during his tenure in Oakland. He broke Lou Brock‘s stolen base record while a member of the A’s, and collected his 2000th career hit. Henderson won a World Series as part of the 1989 team, and later added a second championship during his half season in Toronto.

Henderson naturally had some impressive numbers in those four different stints. He was a six time All Star during that time in Oakland, winning the 1990 AL MVP and finishing second in 1980. In addition, Henderson won a Gold Glove and two Silver Slugger awards, as he became a household name.

In those 14 years he spent in Oakland, Henderson his typically strong results. He produced a .288/.409/.430 batting line, hitting 289 doubles, 167 homers, and stealing 867 bases. He led the league in steals nine times in Oakland, including when he stole 66 bases as a 39 year old in 1998.

Rickey Henderson was easily the best player in Oakland Athletics history. His inclusion on the team’s Mount Rushmore is not a surprise.