APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
________________________
CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. ______________ C.M.S.
INTRODUCED BY MAYOR JENKINS, COUNCILMEMBER KAPLAN,
COUNCILMEMBER HOUSTON, COUNCILMEMBER RAMACHANDRAN
RESOLUTION TO (1) COMMEMORATIVELY RENAME THE
INTERSECTION AT 51 ST STREET AND BROADWAY AS ‘RICKEY
HENDERSON WAY’ AND (2) AUTHORIZE THE INSTALLATION OF A
PLAQUE OR SIGN HONORING RICKEY HENDERSON, PURSUANT TO
THE POLICY AND PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED BY OAKLAND CITY
COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 77967 C.M.S. AND (3) DECLARING
FEBRUARY 4 TH, IN THE CITY OF OAKLAND, AS RICKEY
HENDERSON DAY AND (4) MAKING APPROPRIATE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT FINDINGS
WHEREAS, California Government Code section 34091.1 allows a jurisdiction by resolution to name a new public street or to rename an existing public street; and
WHEREAS, the naming of a new public street or the renaming of an existing public street is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970; and
WHEREAS, the City Council will occasionally honor the contributions of an outstanding individual with commemorative street names or by the renaming of a public street such as with Bruce Lee Way, Herbert Guice Way, Peter Van Kleef Way, Dr. Huey P. Newton Way, Deontae Bush Way, Dorothy King Way, and Too $hort Way; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Oakland City Council Resolution No. 77967 C.M.S. (passed July 15, 2003), the City Council may, on its motion, consider the renaming of a public street as a tribute to an individual or as a result of a significant event or activity , if one of the following criteria is met: (1) the individual has positively impacted the lives of a nation or the world; or (2) the name change is related to an economic development or redevelopment activity; or (3) The renaming commemorates a significant historical event; and
WHEREAS, the City Council may commemorate a nominee either by: (a) retaining the existing street name and installing commemorative plaques or signs; or (b) renaming the existing street for the individual and installing new street signs; and
WHEREAS, the Man of Steal, the Commander of Left Field, Rickey Nelson Henley, was born on December 21, 1958, in Chicago, Illinois . The son of John and Bobbi e Henley, he spent his infancy in his mother’s home state of Arkansas following his parents’ separation; and
2 WHEREAS, to stabilize her small famil y, Ms. Henley headed to California to pursue better employment opportunities; after a few years in California, she met Paul Henderson. When the couple married, young Rickey joined them in Oakland and adopted the Henderson surname ; and
WHEREAS, as an athletically gifted young individual, Rickey Henderson shined in basketball, football, and baseball as a student-athlete at Oakland Technical High School. In 1976, as an Oakland Tech senior, he was named “California State Baseball Player of the Year .” His natural talent on the baseball diamond drew the attention of professional baseball scouts, notably J.J. Guinn, who worked for the Oakland Athletics (Oakland A’s); and
WHEREAS, drafted by the A’s in the fourth round in 1976, Henderson started in the major leagues with a call -up from the Athletics in 1979 , playing i n the MLB for 24 year s. As a professional baseball player, Henderson played for a total of seven Major League Baseball Teams but he is most recognized for his time with the Oakland A’s. He stole over 100 bases in three seasons, and his 130 in 1982 is still the single -season record. Henderson broke the world stolen base record by stealing his 1,066th base, breaking the record held by Yutaka Fukumoto; ultimately, Henderson would steal over 1,400 bases in his career . Henderson is also considered to be the greatest leadoff hitter, amassing 81 home runs as a leadoff hitter; and
WHEREAS, Rickey Henderson played more than 3,000 games, achieving two World Series titles, ten All -Star appearances, a Gold Glove, and three Silver Slugger awards. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009. In 2017, the Oakland Athletics honored him by renaming the field at the Oakland Coliseum to "Rickey Henderson Field ," one of three fields to bear his name, including “Rickey Henderson Baseball Field” located at Arroyo Viejo Park and “Rickey Henderson Field of Dreams” located by Oakland Technical High School; and WHEREAS, After more than 24 years of playing professional baseball in the major leagues, minor leagues, and independent leagues, Rickey Henderson retired as a player, but still remained involved with the game that he loved, serving as a special instructor and first base coach for the New York Mets and then as a special instructor with the Oakland A’s from 2010 – 2024; and
WHEREAS, on December 20, 2024, Rickey Henderson passed away. He is survived by his wife, Pamela, and their three children: Angela, Alexis, and Adrianna; and WHEREAS, the life and legacy of the late Rickey Henderson have inspired joy and fostered community among Oaklanders. In honor of Rickey Henderson’s contributions to the City of Oakland, the City Council intends that February 4th shall be known as “Rickey Henderson Day”; and
WHEREAS, the City Council intends that the costs, associated with such a commemorative act will be borne by the office of Mayor Kevin Jenkins and Councilmembers Rebecca Kaplan, Ken Houston, and Janani Ramachandran; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED: That the Oakland City Council hereby approves the commemorative renaming of the intersection at 51st Street and Broadway as ‘Rickey Henderson Way’; and be it FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Oakland City Council directs the City Administrator to proceed with the commemorative designation of ‘ Rickey Henderson Way’ and placement of street sign(s) or plaque(s) to that effect at the intersection of 51st Street and Broadway; and be it
3 FURTHER RESOLVED: In honor of the life and legacy of Rickey Henderson and his famed Oakland Athletics’ number 24 jersey, henceforth declaring February 4th (2/4) in the City of Oakland as Rickey Henderson Day.
IN COUNCIL, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA,
PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES - BROWN, FIFE, HOUSTON, KAPLAN, RAMACHANDRAN, UNGER, AND PRESIDENT
PRO TEMPORE GALLO
NOES –
ABSENT – COUNCIL PRESIDENT JENKINS (serving as Mayor pursuant to Charter Section 303) ABSTENTION –
ATTEST:
ASHA REED
City Clerk and Clerk of the Council of the
City of Oakland, California
3395295/LL