Will anyone ever threaten this Rickey record?

December 21st, 2024

Among the many incredible feats Rickey Henderson accomplished during his Hall of Fame career, setting the single-season stolen-base record stands as one of his most iconic.

On Aug. 27, 1982, Henderson broke Lou Brock’s mark of 118 steals in a season by swiping second base in the third inning of the Athletics' 5-4 loss to the Brewers in Milwaukee. He set the new mark in style -- the record-breaking steal was the first of four Henderson would have on the night en route to 130 for the season. It also came on a Brewers pitch-out; they couldn't catch him no matter what they tried that night.

As the baseball world mourns Henderson's passing at age 65, here’s a look at just how great Rickey’s unforgettable 1982 campaign was:

Only seven players in this century stole half as many bases in a season as Henderson did in 1982

What Rickey did in 1982 remains jaw-dropping by any measure and in any era. This is illustrated by the fact that only seven players since 2000 have stolen even half as many bases as his 1982 total of 130: Scott Podsednik stole 70 for the Brewers in 2004, Jose Reyes stole 78 for the Mets in ’07, Willy Taveras stole 68 for the Rockies in ’08, Jacoby Ellsbury stole 70 for the Red Sox in ’09, Juan Pierre stole 68 for the White Sox in ’10, Ronald Acuña Jr. stole 73 for the Braves in '23, and Elly De La Cruz stole 66 for the Reds in '24.

Only three other players in the modern era of AL/NL history (since 1900) stole 100 or more bases in a season

Other than Henderson, who did it three times in his career (1980, ’82 and ’83), only three other men in the modern era of AL/NL history stole at least 100 bases in a single season -- Maury Wills (104 in 1962), Lou Brock (118 in 1974) and Vince Coleman (110 in 1985, 107 in ’86, and 109 in ’87).

Henderson nearly had as many steals as hits in 1982

Rickey had 143 hits in 1982, just 13 more than the number of stolen bases he recorded that season. Not only that, he actually had 25 more steals than singles (105).

Henderson stole 15 bags against a single team in 1982

Rickey racked up double-digit steal figures against five teams in '82. He stole 15 on Cleveland pitchers and catchers alone. He also stole 13 against the Brewers -- including four the night he set the record -- 13 against the Mariners, 13 against the Orioles and 12 against the Twins.

Henderson was caught stealing more times than all but seven players’ steal total in 1982

Tim Raines (78), Lonnie Smith (68), Omar Moreno (60), Mookie Wilson (58), Damaso Garcia (54), Steve Sax (49) and Julio Cruz (46) were the only players to steal more bases in 1982 than the number of times Rickey was caught stealing -- 42.