Rickey Henderson speaks in 3rd person and truth be told, he pulls it off with ease because he struts his stuff and did amazing things on the diamond. He accomplished greatness... and so why not speak the way his does. To quite columnist Jim Caple...
"He has referred to himself in the third person ever since informing his mother that "Rickey Henderson would like his bottle and a fresh diaper."
So, we here at Bleeding Yankee Blue thought it would be fun to remind you of some of the funniest and most competitive quotes from Rickey Henderson throughout his career! Enjoy this one:
“Rickey don’t like it when Rickey can’t find Rickey’s limo.”
This quote is often attributed to Henderson, but the exact source is somewhat apocryphal. It has been mentioned in various articles and books about Henderson, including "Confessions of a Baseball Purist" by Jon Miller.
“If my uniform doesn't get dirty, I haven't done anything in the baseball game.”
This quote is attributed to Henderson in many articles and books about his career, including "Rickey Henderson: The Man of Steal" by William Macnow.
“You have to keep running. I always believed I was going to be safe.”
This quote is from Henderson's reflection on his approach to base stealing, found in "Rickey: The Life and Legend of an American Original" by Howard Bryant.
“Lou Brock was a great base stealer, but today, I am the greatest of all time.”
Henderson said this during his speech after breaking Lou Brock’s stolen base record. It’s documented in various reports, including the New York Times article covering the event on May 1, 1991.
“You guys got a Cadillac. Now you just have to go buy a driver.”
This quote was reported in Sports Illustrated after Henderson was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in 1993. It’s a reflection of his self-confidence and sense of humor.
"This is Rickey calling on behalf of Rickey. Rickey wants to play baseball."
When Rickey Henderson was still eager to play baseball after his prime, he reportedly left this voicemail for a team's front office, demonstrating his persistence and unique way of referring to himself in the third person. From "The Baseball Codes: Beanballs, Sign Stealing, and Bench-Clearing Brawls: The Unwritten Rules of America's Pastime" by Jason Turbow, Michael Duca, 2010.
“I’m Rickey Henderson, and you’re not.”
Henderson is known for saying this often, particularly when meeting people. It has been quoted in interviews and profiles, including one in ESPN.
“Rickey is so fast, he could turn off the light and be in bed before it gets dark.”
This humorous quote about Henderson’s speed is widely cited in baseball lore and is often attributed to Henderson himself. It’s mentioned in "Baseball's Funniest Quotes" by Glenn Liebman.
“When I played, I didn’t set out to break records, I set out to dominate the game. And it wasn’t about being a jerk, it was about doing whatever I could to win.”
Henderson made this comment in an interview with Sports Illustrated where he discussed his competitive nature and approach to the game.
"I don’t want to hear you say I don’t hustle. Nobody hustles more than Rickey Henderson. They’d have to make two hustles to be better than me."
Rickey Henderson famously spoke about himself in the third person, and this quote showcases his characteristic swagger and sense of humor, asserting his unparalleled effort on the field. From Bruce Nash, Allan Zullo, "The Baseball Hall of Shame 4," 1989.
"It took me 20 years to get 3,000 hits. I should have done it in three."
Rickey Henderson humorously commented on reaching the milestone of 3,000 hits, joking about how he could have achieved it much faster, reflecting his confident and playful nature.
You gotta love Rickey... and It's clear that Rickey loves Rickey!
BYB Yankee History Contributor
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