The Man of Steal’s Top Cards to Collect
Fondly known as “The Man of Steal,” Rickey Henderson redefined America’s pastime with blazing speed on the bases and a knack for putting pitches in play. With a career spanning over 25 years, Henderson built a legacy unmatched by his contemporaries. His staggering stats speak volumes: 3,055 hits, 2,295 runs scored, and a jaw-dropping 1,406 stolen bases – a record that may never be surpassed. Beyond his on-field achievements, Henderson’s larger-than-life personality captivated fans and opponents alike. Renowned for referring to himself in the third person, his confidence bordered on legendary. As collectors seek to capture a piece of baseball history, we thought we’d help with a list of Henderson’s Top Rookie Cards & More.
Top Rickey Henderson Cards #s 5-1
5: 1982 Granny Goose #35 Rickey Henderson
Raised in Oakland, Henderson was a multi-sport star at Oakland Tech. So when the hometown A’s selected him in the fourth round of the 1976 Amateur Draft, it was as if Henderson and The Town won. The story gets even better as the Oaktown-based Granny’s Goose Chips released a 15-card set of A’s players as a promo tool, and #35 (they were listed by number) featured none other than Henderson. Call it an Oakland Love Story.
4: 1981 Topps #261 Rickey Henderson
Rumor has it that Henderson would stand before a full-length mirror pregame and repeatedly shout, “Rickey’s the best! Rickey’s the best!” before each game. So take it from us: He probably loved shooting for the 1981 Topps #261 Rickey Henderson. That’s a face Rickey could be proud of!
3: 1979 TCMA Minor League #808 Rickey Henderson
The Ogden A’s only existed for two seasons, but Henderson is one of the team’s claims to fame. A young Henderson at work is an iconic reminder if anyone’s forgotten about the team (which most people probably have).
2: 1977 Chong Modesto A’s #5 Rickey Henderson
The 1977 Chong Modesto A’s #5 Rickey Henderson holds the distinction as his first professional card. This is history and even features the misspelling of his first name. It’s Rickey, not Ricky! There are reprints with the correct spelling, but the card above is its official first release. The black-and-white shot makes it seem like it was taken decades earlier. But nope. This is 1977.
1: 1980 Topps #482 Rickey Henderson RC
The 1980 Topps #482 Rickey Henderson RC is one of the most valuable, if not the most valuable card, of the 1980s. And what a pristine version of the bad boy goes for validates that. In 2021, a 1980 Topps #482 Rickey Henderson RC sold for a whopping $180,000. Rickey costs a ticket!
