Rickey: The Life and Legend of an American Original [9780063268661]

Overview

“Seldom does a sports biography—especially a page-turner—so comprehensively explain the forces that made an icon the way they are.” – Sports Illustrated

From the author of The Last Hero: A Life of Henry Aaron comes the definitive biography of Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson, baseball’s epic leadoff hitter and base-stealer who also stole America’s heart over nearly five electric decades in the game.

Few names in the history of baseball evoke the excellence and dynamism that Rickey Henderson’s does. He holds the record for the most stolen bases in a single game, and he’s scored more runs than any player ever. “If you cut Rickey Henderson in half, you’d have two Hall of Famers,” the baseball historian Bill James once said.

But perhaps even more than his prowess on the field, Rickey Henderson’s is a story of Oakland, California, the town that gave rise to so many legendary athletes like him. And it’s a story of a sea change in sports, when athletes gained celebrity status and Black athletes finally earned equitable salaries. Henderson embraced this shift with his trademark style, playing for nine different teams throughout his decades-long career and sculpting a brash, larger-than-life persona that stole the nation’s heart. Now, in this compelling sports biography from the hands of critically acclaimed sportswriter and culture critic Howard Bryant, one of baseball’s greatest and most original stars finally gets his due.

This biography paints the full picture of a baseball revolutionary:

• Definitive Biography: Go beyond the stats with the meticulously researched story of Henderson’s life, from his Oakland roots to his Hall of Fame induction.
• Baseball History: Witness the sea change of the 1980s and 90s, as Henderson’s unapologetic style and talent ushered in a new era of celebrity and power for players.
• Oakland Sports Legend: Discover the story of Oakland, California, and the cultural forces that shaped not just Rickey, but a generation of the nation’s greatest athletes.
• Larger-Than-Life Personality: Explore the brash, charismatic, and unforgettable persona that made Rickey Henderson a household name and one of the most beloved figures in the game.