Henderson’s family confirmed the news through a statement shared on the Oakland Athletics’ official Instagram page, expressing their profound grief over his loss.

“Rickey lived his life with integrity, and his love for baseball was paramount. Now, Rickey is at peace with the Lord, cherishing the extraordinary moments and achievements he leaves behind,” the family said.

“In this difficult time, we kindly ask for your respect and privacy as we adjust to life without Rickey, holding on to the legacy he left for all of us,” their statement concluded.

“Rickey Henderson is one of the greatest baseball players of all time. His on-field accomplishments speak for themselves, and his records will forever stand atop baseball history,” the statement read.

He had 3,055 hits, 297 home runs, and a .279 batting average. He was a 10-time All-Star and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009.

Stewart and Henderson’s friendship began in their teenage years in Oakland, where they played against each other in the Babe Ruth League. Their bond grew over time as they shared a passion for sports and a competitive drive.

That year, they led the team to a World Series championship, a shared triumph that cemented their bond. Stewart fondly recalled Henderson’s playful comment about his MVP win.

“When I won the MVP, Rickey kept saying the trophy really was his. He told me the only reason I won it is because of all the stuff I did during the earthquake. He told me, ‘If you didn’t all of that stuff, helping people, it was mine. You got sympathy votes,'” Stewart said.

Their friendship extended beyond the field. When Stewart decided to retire in 1995, Henderson was determined to keep their careers aligned. “He didn’t talk to me for two, maybe three weeks. He kept telling me I should retire when he retired. He wanted me to keep playing as long as he did [2003],” Stewart recalled.

Yet, he admitted that having his jersey retired alongside Henderson’s was deeply personal. “So, when my number was retired, what made it so special is that he and I were together, two kids from Oakland, and having our numbers retired together by the organization we loved,” Stewart said.

Speaking to USA Today on December 21, Stewart expressed disbelief at the loss of someone he had considered not only a teammate but a lifelong companion. “I couldn’t believe it,” Stewart said. “I still can’t. I can’t wrap my heard [sic] around it. We’ve known each other practically our entire lives. That was my dude.”

“He had these rental properties in Oakland, and I’d get these calls saying they saw Rickey out cutting the grass. I’d say, ‘What do you mean?’ They told me he actually out there with a lawn mower doing work on his property,” Stewart recounted.

Instead, he spoke with Henderson’s daughter, Alexis, who informed him that her father was in the hospital for surgery. Later that day, he received the devastating news that Henderson had passed.

It suggested that if something happened to Rickey, he would simply say, “Rickey is gone.” Stewart found the statement so fitting that he couldn’t help but laugh, agreeing it perfectly summed up his late friend’s greatness. “Now, ain’t that the truth,” he said.

Henderson’s passing leaves a void not only in Stewart’s life but across the entire baseball community, where his legacy as a player and friend remains unmatched.