Dave Stewart was frozen in place, apparently too numb to move or even speak when he got the call on Friday. The news left him in tears—Rickey Henderson, one of baseball’s greats and, most importantly, his friend, has passed. He had faced complications due to pneumonia, and so days before he could touch 66 on Christmas, he was gone. Stewart and Henderson shared a lifelong bond, from growing up in Oakland to playing for the Oakland A’s and also winning a World Series together. It was three months ago; they stood together to throw the ceremonial first pitch during the A’s final game at Oakland Coliseum. Now neither is the franchise in Oakland, nor is Henderson.

The news shared by Stewart was confirmed by many. Tributes have started pouring in from the entire baseball world, be it fans or stars themselves. Legends like Alex Rodriguez and even stars like A.J. Hinch have posted about the loss to the baseball world today. However, Rickey Henderson was more than a stellar player or Hall of Fame star. He was a character who brought joy and energy to the game and lit up the hearts of many. His stories continue to win fans over; here are two of many such stories.

Rickey Henderson’s had some serious swag

Rickey Henderson was known as the ‘Man of Steal,’ a funny take on a Man of Steel. However, he got the name because he stole around 100 bases and more in one season. More than just once! He was a larger-than-life personality, both on and off the field. Plus, he also had a quirk where he had a habit of referring to himself in the third person. With that context, the story below will have everyone chuckling.

Baseball History Nut resurfaced a story that was narrated by Harold Reynolds, former second baseman for Seattle Mariners, that captures Henderson’s swagger. Reynolds recalled a time when, in 1980, it was one of the rare years (1987) that Henderson wasn’t the one who won the stolen base title. This was largely due to the injury that Henderson suffered, which restricted him to only play 95 games, and to top that, he was hurting for most of them. As a result, he only stole 41 bases. Willey Wilson had 59, and Reynolds had 59, and at the last game of the year, Reynolds stole a base and won the title with 60 stolen bases, not Rickey Henderson.

Then Monday morning rolls around, and Reynolds gets a call from stolen base king Rickey Henderson himself. And Reynold says the conversation goes, “And he goes, ‘60 stolen bases? You ought to be ashamed. Rickey had 60 at the All-Star break.” Since Henderson spoke in the third person, he slammed and cut the call! Well, only a ‘Man of Steal’ could bring such a playful and bold reminder of his greatness. And that is just one instance.

Rickey Henderson did what to a $1 million check?

When people say Rickey Henderson was one of baseball’s most colorful personalities, they aren’t kidding. The proof—the unforgettable story about his first signing bonus check from the Oakland Athletics. So, during a 2009 appearance on ESPN, Rickey Henderson shared the story of his carefree attitude. He had gotten a $1 million signing bonus, and unlike most people, he didn’t rush to the bank to check it. Instead, he got the check frame and hung it on his wall. Wondering why on earth?

Well, he has answered too: “You know when you’re a kid—you want to be a millionaire. And at the time I got a signing bonus for $1 million, I go, ‘Wow, I’m a millionaire! So I’m gonna frame this here check.’ And put it on my wall when I became a millionaire…”

Months later the team’s accounting department did call puzzled about the $1 million. They asked him where the check was, and Henderson said he mentioned, “I told them it was on my wall.” Then the A’s asked him to cash it in and instead frame a duplicate, and he did just that. This story is pure Rickey Henderson, bold and unique, and extremely entertaining. It’s one reason fans adored him and what will keep his memory alive.

Do you know any more such entertaining stories from the ‘Man of Steal’? Let us know in the comments.