This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/19/2012
Rickey Henderson’s superb career as a leadoff hitter was defined by speed and success. Paul Molitor, a Hall of Famer who often hit leadoff, said Henderson was “the greatest leadoff hitter of all-time.” Henderson was a player who was the best at being a pest. From the time Henderson played Little League, he said it was his goal to bat first so he could slap the first hit and score the first run. Playing for nine teams across 25 seasons, he skillfully followed that simple routine. Henderson stole 1,406 bases, 468 more than any other player, and scored 2,295 runs, which also ranks first. He collected 2,190 walks, second on the career list, and had 3,055 hits. The National Baseball Hall of Fame opened its doors to “Man of Steal” in 2009.
Despite an abundant supply of 1980 Topps cards, it took more than 11,000 submissions to PSA to yield just 10 flawless GEM MINT 10 examples of Rickey’s rookie. As you would expect, the offered example is simply without fault, appearing untouched by human hands. Like finding a needle in a haystack.