As Major League Baseball entered an era of relentless free agency and an almost mind-boggling obsession with statistics, Rickey Henderson rewrote the books on both, playing for nine different teams over a quarter century (1979-2003), all the while becoming a poster boy for the fantasy baseball craze that would dramatically alter how fans and MLB front offices looked at our national pastime. "The Man of Steal" is widely regarded as the greatest leadoff hitter and baserunner the game has ever known, holding MLB records for career stolen bases (1,406), runs scored (2,295), unintentional walks (2,129) and leadoff home runs (81). He also holds the single-season record for stolen bases (130 in 1982) and remains the only player in American League history to steal 100 bases in a season, having done so three times. His all-time theft record stands 50 percent higher than the man in second place, fellow Hall of Famer Lou Brock (938). A 10-time All-Star, Henderson was named AL MVP in 1990 and was the leadoff hitter on two World Series Championship teams, the 1989 A’s and ’93 Blue Jays.
Presented here is Rickey’s game worn home pinstriped jersey from 1987, his third season in the Bronx. It was an injury-riddled campaign for the speedster, and yet he still led the Yankees in on-base percentage (.423) and managed to hit 17 homers in just 95 games. The white knit button-down garment features the iconic "NY" logo in navy tackle twill on the left chest with his No. "24" done in the same format on the back. An embroidered swatch with "Henderson 87 2" [year, set] chain-stitched is located within the collar. The shirttail tagging is cut off per Rickey’s style preference. He has signed the front in blue marker with his No. “24” inscribed (hidden within buttons). The shirt displays significant wear throughout, with puckering and fraying from repeated game use and laundering. According to Sports Investors Authentication, this jersey can be conclusively photo-matched from its unique pinstripe pattern to multiple regular season games as well as the 1987 Midsummer Classic. Henderson started in centerfield and went 1-for-3 in his seventh All-Star Game at the Oakland Coliseum where, ironically, he called home for 14 years over four different stints. Includes LOA from Sports Investors for the game use and LOA from Beckett for the autograph.