Base Stealer Rickey Henderson’s wife Pamela was reportedly his childhood sweetheart.
Henderson, whose blazing speed, discerning eye and unusual home run power complemented an irrepressible swagger that led him from the sandlots of Oakland, California, to the Baseball Hall of Fame, died Friday, December 20, 2024, at 65.
Highlights
- Sadly, the base stealer of MLB, Rickey Henderson, passed away on December 20, 2024, at 65 due to complications of pneumonia.
- In 1983, he married his high school sweetheart, Pamela Palmer. They had three children: Alexis, Adrianna, and Angela Henderson.
- According to ESPN, Adrianna has played football for the New Mexico State Aggies.
As per TMZ, Henderson passed away after battling with pneumonia. He had been a patient at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center.
Henderson’s once-teammate Dave Winfield shared his condolences and reflected on the star player’s time in the MLB, writing in a December 21, 2024, Instagram post:
“I still cannot believe I’ve lost one of my favorite teammates and great friend Rickey Henderson. Rest in peace.”
Rickey Henderson
Born in Chicago and raised in Oakland, Henderson started his career as a star athlete at Oakland Technical High, playing baseball and football during his run.
The Athletics drafted him in the fourth round of the 1976 draft. He made his MLB debut at age 20 on June 24, 1979, when the team took on the Texas Rangers.
Although the A’s lost the game, Henderson quickly became known for his stolen bases and runs, setting records throughout his career and earning the title “man of Steal” for his records.
Over his 24 seasons in the MLB, he stole 1,406 bases, scored 2,295 runs, had 81 leadoff home runs, and was a 10-time All-Star. During his induction speech in Cooperstown, he said,
“My favorite hero was Muhammad Ali,” “He said one time, quote, ‘I am the greatest,’ end of quote. That was something I always wanted to be, and now that the [Baseball Writers’ Association of America] has voted me into the Baseball Hall of Fame, my journey as a player is complete. I am now in the class of the greatest players of all time, and at this moment, I am very, very humbled.”
Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henderson And His Wife Pamela Palmer Had Three Children
Rickey Henderson married his high school sweetheart Pamela Palmer in 1983 after dating for several years. They have been married for over five decades.
They met in high school when Henderson was a senior, and Palmer was a freshman at Oakland Tech. Palmer kept statistics for the track and football teams at the time.
However, Rickey’s wife, Pamela, has avoided social media and the media spotlight, so only limited information about her personal life is available.
Earlier, in 1982, when Rickey stole his 119th base of the season, Pamela traveled nearly 2,000 miles for the occasion. Pamela said,
”It was such an enjoyable moment,” ”We cried and cried.”
Pamela Palmer
Although she has maintained a private life, unlike her husband, she taught Rickey the value of having a strong family.
Recently, Pamela has issued a heartfelt statement following Rickey’s tragic passing. She expressed deep sadness while reflecting on his life on and off the field. Pamela wrote,
We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, support, and heartfelt memories from family, friends, and fans – all of which have brought immense comfort. We also extend our sincere gratitude to MLB, the Oakland A’s, and the incredible doctors and nurses at UCSF who cared for Rickey with dedication and compassion. Your prayers and kindness mean more than words can express. 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.
Pamela Palmer
Rickey and Pamela had three children: Alexis, Angela, and Adrianna Henderson.
On September 20, 2024, during Rickey’s bobblehead night at the Oakland Coliseum, Adrianna took the ceremonial first pitch to her father.
Rickey stood behind the plate and caught the pitch, making it memorable and touching for both. The official MLB Twitter handle posted a video of Adrianna throwing a strike.
According to ESPN, Adrianna Henderson plays football as a guard. She played two seasons for North Texas Mean Green from 2016 to 2018.
From 2019 to 2022, she played for three seasons with the New Mexico State Aggies.
In 1992, Rickey was spotted carrying his 13-month-old daughter Alexis through Pearson Airport.
Additional Information
- Rickey was an American left fielder who played 25 seasons in Major League Baseball for nine teams from 1979 to 2003, including four separate tenures with his original team, the Oakland Athletics.
- He played his last major league game on September 19, 2003; a pitch hit him in his only plate appearance, and he came around to score his 2,295th run.
- On July 13, 2007, the Mets promoted Henderson from special instructor to first base coach, replacing Howard Johnson, who became the hitting coach.
