Rickey Henderson is an American retired professional baseball left fielder, often known as baseball’s greatest baserunner and leadoff hitter. He is famous for playing 25 seasons in MLB for nine different teams. As of 2024, Rickey Henderson net worth is approximately $20 million.
Full Name | Rickey Nelson Henley Henderson |
Also known as | Rickey Henderson |
Date of Birth | December 25, 1958 |
Age | 65 years old |
Born Place | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
Profession | Baseball player |
Spouse | Pamela Palmer |
Height | 5 feet 10 inches or 178 cm tall |
Early Life and Rise to Fame
Rickey Henderson was born in Chicago in December 1958. His mother delivered him in Oldsmobile’s back seat while rushing to the hospital. His parents, Bobbie and John L. Henley, named him after singer-actor Ricky Nelson.
Rickey has an older brother, Tyrone. He was only two years old when his dad left the family and moved to Oakland. After ten years of leaving the house, his dad lost his life in an automobile accident. Rickey and his mom and big brother lived with his grandmother in Arkansas. When he reached seven, he shifted to Oakland with his mom and brother.
Rickey was in junior high school when his mom married Paul Henderson. After that, he abandoned his surname, Henley, and adopted a new surname after his stepfather. Rickey was naturally left-handed, but when he tried learning baseball in Oakland, he developed the skill to hit the ball with his right hand.
Henderson used his left hand to throw the ball and his right hand while batting. He is one of the most successful baseball players who could throw with the left and bat with the right.
Rickey completed his high school graduation from Oakland Technical High School in 1976. He actively played football, basketball, and baseball in high school. In addition to that, he also participated in track but didn’t play the track for a long time as he could not manage his schedule for baseball and track.
How did Rickey Henderson become famous?
Rickey Henderson rose to fame due to his remarkable baseball career. He dreamed of playing football for the professional football team, the Oakland Raiders. Despite receiving a scholarship offer from the team, he chose baseball over football on his mother’s advice. His mom believed that football players don’t have long careers.
Henderson’s baseball career began after the Oakland Athletics selected him in the 1976 Major League Baseball draft. In his debut season of minor league career, he played with Northwest League’s team, Boise A. After that, he spent the next season with the Modesto A’s, appearing in 134 games.
In June 1979, he appeared in his major league game with Oakland. In the debut game, he got two hits and a stolen base. He had a fantastic career with Oakland, appearing in 89 games. Rickey showed extraordinary talent during the season and became one of the three modern-era baseball players who stole 100 bases in one season.
Henderson achieved remarkable achievement in 1983 by scoring third 100 runs, 100 stolen bases, and 100 walks in a season. He hit 16 home runs a year later and led the league in stolen bases. He also finished second place in run scored and third place in on-base percentage.
After the conclusion of the 1984 season, he was traded to the New York Yankees in December 1984. In his debut season with the Yankees, he led the league in stolen bases and runs scored. Henderson also received the Silver Slugger Award and held third place in MVP award voting. Then, he played with many teams, including Oakland Athletics, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets, and Boston Red Sox.
The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Henderson in the 2003 season. He appeared in 30 games for the Dodgers and had a .208 batter average. Rickey appeared in his last major league baseball game in September 2003. He conceded his official retirement in July 2007.
Rickey Henderson’s Relationship History
Rickey Henderson is currently in a relationship with his long-time girlfriend, Darlene. He was previously married to Pamela, with whom he has two kids, a daughter and a son. During their marriage, he faced some challenges, due to which their relationship ended with divorce.
Even after separating from his first wife, he has maintained a close relationship with his kids. After splitting with Pamela, he was linked to many ladies but kept the details out of the public eye. His current partner, Darlene, has shown immense support towards him in various aspects of his life.
Darlene helped Henderson navigate the difficulties after he retired from baseball. She played a crucial role in his life, giving him emotional support and stability. Together, they are engaged in many community activities. They are also seen attending various baseball events.
What is Rickey Henderson Net Worth in 2024?
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Rickey Henderson’s net worth is roughly $20 million. He earned significant wealth primarily from his successful MLB career from 1979 to 2003. Henderson amassed approximately $44 million in salary alone. In the mid-1990s, he signed lucrative contracts, including a $12 million deal with the Athletics and a $4 million contract deal with the San Diego Padres.
Henderson received his highest single-season salary in 1994 with the Athletics, $4.5 million. Beyond his earnings from his MLB career, he garnered nearly $10 million from endorsements. Henderon’s record-breaking accomplishments have made him a sought-after sports figure for enormous promotional deals.
Post-retirement, he remained involved in baseball as a particular instructor and a coach. He was hired as one specific instructor by the New York Mets in 2006. A year later, he was promoted to first base coach and became the hitting coach. Rickey has not disclosed his salary figure as a coach, but he might have received salaries between $50,000 and $200,000 annually.
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