Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael Schatz
If you ask me, the whole GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) thing has been used to death. Everyone is suddenly the GOAT – and they’re not even doing GOAT things. They’re doing routine stuff. To be the GOAT – and I promise I’ll stop saying GOAT – you need to have left a lasting impression. Or, if you’re Rickey Henderson, just take the microphone and tell everyone that you are, in fact, the greatest of all time.
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That’s what made Rickey Henderson such a fun player to watch. He had the swag, the attitude, and the talent to back up such statements. I mean, we’re talking about the all-time steals leader with 1406. And that was before MLB changed the rules to make it easier for guys to steal. Ricky was swiping 100-plus bags without a pitch clock and limited throws to first. There was a good chance that if you let Rickey get on first – he was running.
But Rickey wasn’t just a base stealer. He was a pretty good baseball player. Along with the steals record, Rickey holds the all-time leadoff home runs record with 81 – the next closest currently sits at 57. His trophy case also includes an MVP Award, 3 Silver Sluggers, 10 All-Star Games, an ALCS MVP, a Gold Glove, and 2 World Series Rings. Oh, and a spot in Cooperstown.
That, my friends, is GOAT-worthy.