Rickey Henderson (October 7, 2001)
The final day of the 2001 regular season was meant to honor Tony Gwynn, who was playing in his final game. Instead, Rickey Henderson had other ideas.
The baseball vagabond had returned for his second stint with the Padres, and the sixth team in six seasons. He was still a dangerous player on the basepaths, although his speed had dwindled as he turned 40 years old. Nonetheless, Henderson was still a valued leadoff man, a veteran player who could still swipe a base and score runs.
With the Padres set to bid franchise icon Tony Gwynn farewell, Henderson stepped to the plate. On the first pitch he saw from Rockies starter John Thompson, he lofted a soft pop fly to right field, where it landed between three Rockies. He motored around first and glided into second with a standup double, notching his 3000th career hit in his final at bat of the season.
Remembered as the all time stolen base leader, Henderson was far more than a speedster. He was an all around threat, possessing some pop and an excellent batting eye. Henderson was a ten time All Star and the 1990 AL MVP, a player who changed the game during the 1980s. While steals had returned in the prior two decades, thanks to the likes of Maury Willa and Lou Brock, Henderson turned baserunning into a weapon.
One of the more entertaining players of his time, Rickey Henderson wanted to make sure the spotlight remained focused on him. With his 3000th hit, he was even able to steal a bit of the spotlight on Tony Gwynn’s final game.