#12
of 30
Rickey Henderson
Full Player Profile →
Rickey Henderson is the greatest leadoff offensive weapon ever, and it’s not close. His .401 career OBP is the foundation: you can’t be a top leadoff man without living on base. Once he reached, he turned pitchers into rushed mechanics and catchers into panic, which created mistakes for everyone else. His stolen base totals weren’t just volume; they were efficient, game-breaking value. He also had real pop, meaning pitchers couldn’t simply throw strikes and accept singles. Henderson scored more runs than anyone because he constantly manufactured extra bases and extra innings stress. He sustained this style across eras, which speaks to both athleticism and baseball IQ. Even as speed aged, his walk rate and on-base skill kept him dangerous. He’s the rare player who could change a game without a hit, but he got plenty of hits too. As an offensive outfielder, he’s the prototype of pressure and production combined.
Career Numbers
.279
AVG
3,055
Hits
297
HR
1,115
RBI
1,406
SB
.820
OPS
Rickey Henderson at No. 12
This slide covers number 12 of 30 in Top 30 Outfielders in History of MLB Baseball: Rickey Henderson. Rickey Henderson's career numbers on the card: a .279 average, 297 home runs and 3,055 hits. The card also lists a .820 OPS and 1,406 stolen bases. Rickey Henderson debuted in the 1970s, and the Explore links below open that decade's page and the list of players born in USA. Mike Trout is ranked just above at 11 while Joe DiMaggio follows at 13. The ranking and the write-up above it are the list's editorial judgment; the career numbers come from the same tables as the player pages.