This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/31/2005.
It is a little known fact of Yankees history that although Rickey Henderson spent a mere four and a half seasons there (in a career that spanned 25 years), he is the all-time leading Yankees base stealer. Known as the "Man of Steal," Henderson is the Major League all-time stolen base leader with 1,406 to his credit. One of baseball's most brilliant leadoff men, Henderson set the American League season steal record (100) in only his second year (1980). Two years later, he broke Lou Brock's single-season steal record with 130. Reunited with Billy Martin on the Yankees in 1985, he hit .314 with 80 stolen bases. As a Yankee on June 4, 1988, Rickey Henderson stole two bases versus the Orioles at Memorial Stadium, the second of which (number 249 as a Yankee) surpassed Willie Randolph's Yankee record. This is the actual record-setting base. On the top is manufacturer's embossed logo "Jack Corbett Original Hollywood." Measuring approximately 14 1/2" on each side and 1 3/4" tall, the original steel stanchion for anchoring the base is still attached. The base shows tremendous game use and has been autographed in black marker across the top by Rickey Henderson, who added his number "24." Signature and inscription grade an overall 8. On the underside of the base, Rickey Henderson has initialed in blue ballpoint "RH" on two corners, in his own hand. On the two opposite corners, he was written in blue ballpoint "249," indicating the stolen base number, again in his own hand. A real piece of baseball history! Accompanied by a LOA from James Spence Authentication.