Remembering five MLB legends we lost in 2024

Rickey Henderson 

The “Man of Steal,” Henderson established MLB records for stolen bases (1,406) and runs scored (2,295) while redefining how the leadoff batter could be a weapon. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2009.

A 10-time All-Star, Henderson stole 100 or more bases in a season three different times and led all MLB players in steals during 12 of his 25 seasons. He suited up for nine different franchises but is perhaps best known for the 14 campaigns he spent with the Oakland A’s and five seasons with the New York Yankees.

Whitey Herzog

Best known for creating “Whitey Ball” while a manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, Herzog created a brand of baseball based on speed and base hits to create offense. Taking advantage of the artificial turf at Busch Stadium, Herzog's Cardinals won the World Series in 1982 and took the NL pennant in 1985 and 1987.

Herzog, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010, logged 18 seasons managing the Cardinals, Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers and California Angels. His 1,281 wins are the 39th-most in MLB history. 

Willie Mays

A 12-time Gold Glove winner, Mays defined what defense in the outfield looked like. His catch in the 1954 World Series will live in MLB highlight reels forever.

Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1979, Mays was a 24-time All-Star and two-time NL MVP. His 1954 season when he slashed .345/.411/.667 with 13 triples, 41 homers and 110 RBI is considered one of the finest all-around offensive campaigns in MLB history.

Pete Rose

While Rose's legacy will often be linked to the gambling scandal that earned him a banishment from baseball, there is no question that Rose was one of the finest hitters to ever step on the diamond.

During his 24 seasons, Rose established MLB records in games played (3,562), plate appearances (15,890), at-bats (14,053) and hits (4,256). A 17-time All-Star, Rose was one of the mainstays of the Big Red Machine that defined baseball in the mid-1970s (including World Series wins in 1975 and 1976).