Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Rickey Henderson, the legendary MLB icon and all-time leader in stolen bases, who passed away at the age of 65 on Saturday. Curry, a Bay Area native, mirrored Henderson’s signature celebration before a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Curry, who plays for the Warriors, acknowledged Henderson’s impact on the Bay Area sports community, particularly in Oakland, where both Curry and Henderson made their marks. “Major shout out, condolences to the entire Henderson family. Growing up, as an adult in the Bay Area, especially what he did in Oakland, it resonates for me in terms of representing the Bay at a legendary, iconic level. Nobody like him,” Curry said, per MLB.
Henderson spent the majority of his career with the Oakland Athletics and became an iconic figure in the Bay Area, similar to how Curry is regarded now. Despite both the A’s and Warriors leaving Oakland, Curry’s tribute highlighted the strong connection between the two athletes and their shared impact on the local community.
After honoring Henderson, Curry had an outstanding performance in the Warriors’ 113-103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, posting 31 points, 10 assists, and 3 rebounds in 34 minutes.
Henderson’s passing was mourned by his family, with his wife and three daughters releasing a statement about his death. “A legend on and off the field, Rickey was a devoted son, dad, friend, grandfather, brother, uncle, and a truly humble soul,” they said. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred also honored Henderson’s memory, acknowledging the respect he garnered and his influence on the game, particularly with the recent rule changes that aimed to encourage more base-stealing.
Rickey Henderson’s legacy remains strong, having spent 14 seasons with the Athletics and played for several other teams, including the New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, and New York Mets.
