OAKLAND, Calif. — When Ken Griffey Jr.’s father, a star in baseball himself, faced challenges in reaching out to him during his teenage years, it was the legendary Rickey Henderson who managed to connect.

At just 15 years old, the younger Griffey felt fortunate to have spent time in the New York Yankees clubhouse and practiced on the same field as countless baseball legends. He emphasized the importance of mentorship he received, noting, “I was 15 years old when I met Rickey, and he accepted me in the locker room along with Dave (Winfield) and a couple of other guys. When they talk about it takes a village to raise a kid, I’m thankful for Rickey and Dave and everybody else who raised me.”

Rickey Henderson passed away on December 20 at the age of 65, just before his birthday, prompting a heartfelt tribute from former teammates, executives, friends, and fans. They gathered Saturday at a nearby arena to celebrate his legacy, reflecting his significant impact on the game.

Attendees included notable figures such as Dusty Baker, Tony La Russa, and Joe Torre, alongside ex-teammates like Jose Canseco and Dennis Eckersley. Hall of Famers Reggie Jackson and Frank Thomas were also present, along with home run king Barry Bonds. Nearly 3,000 people braved the persistent rain in the Bay Area to honor Henderson, a truly unique Hall of Famer.

The event even featured a performance by Oakland’s own MC Hammer, who, along with his wife Stephanie, sang “Goin’ up Yonder.” Basketball Hall of Fame member Gary Payton expressed his admiration for Henderson, crediting him for motivating his own achievements in sports. “It came from him. It came from me looking at him,” stated Payton. “That man right here, that is Oakland: Rickey Henderson.”

Sandy Alderson, former general manager of the Athletics, recounted how most discussions he had with Henderson began with the bold statement, “Rickey needs a new contract.” Though Alderson acknowledged the challenges of working with Henderson, he also admired him greatly for his unparalleled talent and vibrant personality. “On December 20, 2024, you all and we all lost a little bit of our childhood,” Alderson reflected poignantly at the event.

Dave Stewart shared a light-hearted memory from the 1989 World Series, which the A’s won against the San Francisco Giants. Henderson had a standout performance, hitting .474 with a home run and three stolen bases throughout the series. Stewart reminisced, “When I was announced as the MVP, Rickey whispered in my ear, ‘You know, if you were not there in the community helping all those people you wouldn’t have gotten that award.’”

For Griffey, the support and guidance that Henderson provided were invaluable as he embarked on his own career, which would lead him to the Hall of Fame. During a spring training session in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as Griffey was training and shagging balls for the veterans, Henderson consistently reached out to him. “We’d go on the back field, and Rickey would hit balls to me, and I’m wondering, why is he only hitting them to me?” Griffey recalled. “I found out that he told my dad later on, ‘He’s got a special talent. I just want to see how far he can go.’ I am 15 years old. … Rickey was like a brother, an older brother, an uncle, and sometimes I think he was thinking that he was my damn dad, too.”