THE SIDELINES : Henderson Steals 900th Base

Rickey Henderson of the Oakland Athletics became the third player in major league history to steal 900 bases in a career today when he stole two bases in the first inning of as game with the Texas Rangers.

Only Lou Brock, the all-time leader with 938 career stolen bases, and Billy Hamilton, who stole 937 bases before the turn of the century, have stolen more bases.

Henderson, 31, who broke Ty Cobb’s 62-year-old American League for career steals on May 28, reached first with a leadoff walk, and stole second on Bobby Witt’s first pitch to Willie Randolph.

After Randolph walked, Henderson reached the 900-steal plateau when he and Randolph completed a successful double steal.

Henderson leads the American League with 29 stolen bases this season. He has been thrown out three times.