Off Base: Confessions of a Thief

by Rickey Henderson, John Shea

Baseball's premier base stealer traces his life from his childhood in Oakland to glory in the Major Leagues, offering commentary about the game and anecdotes about such luminaries as Reggie Jackson, Yogi Berra, and Jose Canseco. Reprint.

Genres: Baseball, Sports, Biography, Autobiography, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published June 1, 1992

About the author

Rickey Nelson Henley Henderson, nicknamed "Man of Steal", was an American professional baseball left fielder who played 25 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for nine teams from 1979 to 2003, including four separate tenures with his original team, the Oakland Athletics. He is widely regarded as baseball's greatest leadoff hitter and baserunner. He holds MLB records for career stolen bases, runs, unintentional walks, and leadoff home runs. At the time of his last major league game in 2003, the ten-time American League (AL) All-Star ranked among the sport's top 100 all-time home run hitters and was its all-time leader in walks. In 2009, he was inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
Henderson holds the single-season record for stolen bases (130 in 1982) and is the only player in AL history to steal 100 bases in a season, having done so three times (in 1980, 1982, and 1983). His 1,406 career steals is 50% higher than the previous record of 938 by Lou Brock. Henderson is the all-time stolen base leader for the Oakland Athletics and previously held the New York Yankees' franchise record from 1988 to 2011. He was among the league's top ten base stealers in 21 different seasons.
Henderson was named the AL's Most Valuable Player in 1990, and he was twice the lead-off hitter for World Series champions: the 1989 Oakland Athletics and the 1993 Toronto Blue Jays. A 12-time stolen base champion, Henderson led the league in runs five times. His 25-season career elevated him to the top ten in several other categories, including career at-bats, games, and outfield putouts and total chances. His high on-base percentage, power hitting, and stolen base and run totals made him one of the most dominant and innovative players of all time. He was further known for his unquenchable passion for playing baseball and a buoyant, eccentric, and quotable personality that both perplexed and entertained fans. Once asked if he thought Henderson was a future Hall of Famer, statistician Bill James replied, "If you could split him in two, you'd have two Hall of Famers."

Reviews

[Anup Sinha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice time capsule from 1992-ish that tells Rickey's story in Rickey's own words. For a 50-something baseball fan of that era, it provided panacea for the ills of nostalgia and also taught me more about Rickey Henderson.

You're getting it from his slant so naturally you're getting the glossier versions of his more controversial incidents (the salary holdout in 1991, the two MVP's he finished runner-up, the "I am the greatest!" speech....) so I'd take it with a grain of salt like you would any autobiography.

I was alarmed to read of the conditions he was playing under with the New York Yankees under both manager Lou Piniella and owner George Steinbrenner. The 1980's Yankees had a power trio in their lineup that I have ever seen between Henderson, rightfielder Dave Winfield, and first baseman Don Mattingly; Henderson provides further insight as to why they were never more than distant A.L. East contenders.

What also comes through is how he fully intended to play football, which was his first love, while his mom and other thought-out consequences led Henderson to sign with the A's out of high school and forego a likely two-sport offer from USC or Arizona State. He would have been a hell of a running back, no doubt, but I think all sports fans should be grateful he went the baseball route. Seeing the career he had and how he was still playing independent ball at age 46 provides plenty of evidence that he fell in love with baseball!

Recommended for like-minded baseball fans who are curious about Rickey and the era.

[Chris Schaffer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rickey was one of my favorite players growing up. Watching him the early years in Oakland, during his prime in New York and the great return to Oakland in '89..he was one of the greatest players i've ever seen. So it was cool to see this ghost written book. Cool to know of his background growing up in Oakland and coming up with the A's and Billy Martin in the early '80s. Yes he has a big ego and it comes through for sure, especially in discussing when he should've won MVP awards, and in responding to some of the criticism in his career. He probably should've won in '81 and arguably '85. And he should've won the World Series MVP in '89. Good stuff at the end of the book about base stealing.

[Donald · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cool thing for me is that my hard core love of the Oakland A's started much around the time that Rickey joined the team! My passion wasn't because of him, but once it did take off much like he did when headed to second!

I loved the story of him trying to break Lou Brock's single season record and the "okey-doke" play with Fred "Chicken" Stanley standing between second and third base to get picked off on Billy Martin's orders! Priceless! I also enjoyed the story about Rickey trying to get Reggie Jackson's autograph!

I am a huge A's fan, so this may be biased, but I think this is a good book! Even with his huge ego, Rickey is one of the greatest players of all time, and I enjoyed learning more about him!

[Tom Iftner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. Rickey Henderson put out an autobiography halfway through his career, and let me tell ya, if he would have waited just a few years, this would have been a completely different book.

Rickey is great. He is everything you want him to be. He is arrogant but lovable. He is hilariously candid. He throws teammates under the bus. He rants about not getting awards. He pulls no punches. I would love to read the entirety of the manuscript of Rickey's contribution because I need to see what was left out.

But that isn't the best part. Without giving anything away, this book could not have aged worse. I found myself wincing saying "Oh Rickey....no!" More than once.

Simply put. This is the best premature autobiography ever written.

[John Cress · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a fan of 'Rickey'in the 80s and 90s, this was a must read from years back. I found it was tough to read without a tongue in cheek feeling as I always wondered which parts came from Rickey and what his ghost writer pieced together. One can't deny that Rickey was the man on the field and that he didn't mind telling anyone who would listen that this was the case. His confidence does come across but in an entertaining way. Cool book, just don't take it too serious.

[Joaquin · Rating 3 out of 5]

i liked rickey as a kid. not the greatest read, but it was entertaining.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Posibly one of the best ballplayers ever!

[Jeff P · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you do not read this book you will die!!! I have multiple copies of this in hardback, paperback and on tape. I think besides his mom I might have bought the only copies.

[Mark Roussain · Rating 5 out of 5]

The greatest leadoff hitter and base stealer the game has ever seen!!!

[Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this quite a long time ago. Rickey Henderson was my favorite baseball player growing up. This had lots of good facts and stories that RH fans would appreciate.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rickey is one of the best of all time. The stories and details are great but some of the rants get old in this book.

[Tony J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about Rickey, from Rickey. Learned a lot about the great ball player and great man. Too bad he left us so early. My favorite player growing up.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a champ.