Fansided

Best all-time player for each MLB team

ByJoshua Sadlock|
Seattle Mariner Ken Griffey Jr. (R) is congratulated by teammate Alex Rodriguez (L) after Griffey hit his 16th home run of the year in the fourth inning at Toronto's Skydome 18 May against the Blue Jays. The three-run shot ties him at the top of the American League with Rodriguez. AFP PHOTO Carlo ALLEGRI (Photo by CARLO ALLEGRI / AFP) (Photo credit should read CARLO ALLEGRI/AFP via Getty Images)
Seattle Mariner Ken Griffey Jr. (R) is congratulated by teammate Alex Rodriguez (L) after Griffey hit his 16th home run of the year in the fourth inning at Toronto's Skydome 18 May against the Blue Jays. The three-run shot ties him at the top of the American League with Rodriguez. AFP PHOTO Carlo ALLEGRI (Photo by CARLO ALLEGRI / AFP) (Photo credit should read CARLO ALLEGRI/AFP via Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 03: Former Oakland Athletic Rickey Henderson walks off the field smiling after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the start of the opening night game between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Oakland Athletics at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on April 3, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 03: Former Oakland Athletic Rickey Henderson walks off the field smiling after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the start of the opening night game between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Oakland Athletics at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on April 3, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Oakland Athletics: Rickey Henderson

The A’s have spent their time in the big leagues between three cities — Philadelphia, Kansas City, and now Oakland. For now, it does not appear they will be leaving Oakland any time soon, which is great for the historic franchise. The A’s won five World Series titles in Philadelphia and four more in Oakland, and have employed some of the most colorful players in MLB history.

Rickey Henderson is the best leadoff hitter in recent history and the most dominant base stealer of all time. He also boasted his own colorful persona (Google ‘Rickey Henderson third person’), which fit in just fine in Oakland. Henderson bounced around the league quite a bit over his 25-year career, but he spent 14 years with Oakland.

Henderson is the all-time leader in stolen bases and runs. He also picked up 3,055 hits and 297 home runs while walking 2,190 times. Only Barry Bonds drew more walks in his career. Henderson’s stolen base records will likely never be broken, especially his single season record of 130. He also brought power to the leadoff spot, and led off the game with a home run 81 times, another MLB record. Henderson is easily the greatest leadoff hitter of all time.

Honorable Mention: Jimmie Foxx, Lefty Grove, Connie Mack, Eddie Plank, Catfish Hunter, Dennis Eckersley

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