Rickey Is Headlong Into History : Baseball: Henderson steals third base in the fourth inning against the Yankees to break Lou Brock’s career record.

The dream, as Rickey Henderson called his improbable goal of becoming the greatest base stealer ever, was born when a counselor at Oakland’s Technical High promised him a quarter for every one he stole there.

But it was Bobbie Henderson who sent her son out on this career of crime.

She talked him out of football and an attempt to emulate his idol, O.J. Simpson, and consistently reminded him that the only way to play baseball was with a dirty uniform.

“I always tried to create a situation where I had to slide so that I could go home dirty,” Henderson said in nostalgic reverie after fulfilling his dream Wednesday, “and it didn’t take me long to learn you got dirtiest by sliding headfirst.”

It has been his trademark, and he stamped it indelibly on the record book with a headfirst steal of third base in the fourth inning of the Oakland Athletics’ 7-4 victory over the New York Yankees.

The steal was his third of a season in which he has missed 14 games with a strained calf muscle. It was the 939th of his career, breaking the tie with Lou Brock, who had driven his travel agent to tears by juggling his itinerary so that he could be present for Henderson’s golden moment.

That moment turned into minutes when a ceremony near third base interrupted the game after Henderson uprooted the bag and held it triumphantly over his head as a crowd of 36,139 stood in tribute. Henderson said later he will keep the base and send his cleats to the Hall of Fame, where he is likely to follow.

The A’s, who have refused Henderson’s wishes to renegotiate his contract, said they will make a $75,000 contribution to Oakland area charities in his name and reward him with a 1991 Porsche.

Henderson’s wife, Pam, his mother and Brock joined him on the field for the ceremony, during which Brock saluted his successor as a “legend in his time” and “maybe the greatest competitor who ever ran the bases.”

Henderson acknowledged the support of family, team and fans and paid special tribute to Milwaukee Brewer Manager Tom Trebelhorn, his first manager in the minor leagues, and the late Billy Martin, who instilled aggressiveness as his manager with the A’s and Yankees.

Henderson told the crowd that Martin was a great manager and said: “I love you Billy. I wish you were here.”

Turning to Brock, who has been a tutor and friend since Henderson came to the major leagues, Henderson said, “Lou Brock was a symbol of great base stealing, but today I am the greatest of all time.”

Henderson raised his arms exultantly, and the crowd thundered its approval before rushing to the souvenir stands where commemorative T-shirts sold for $12, limited edition coins for $35 and Man of Steal posters for $5.

Later, in a news conference, Henderson said he would celebrate with a 16-year-old bottle of champagne he received when he graduated from high school.

He said the record was a testimony to his ability and durability.

“It means a great deal to me, since I came to the big leagues with the reputation that I could create things with my base stealing,” he said. “I wasn’t really a hitter then. My legs got me here.”

He stole 100 bases in his first full season and hasn’t stopped. At 32, he expressed confidence that he can play six to eight more years, pushing the record “so high no one will ever break it.

“I should get 1,200 easy,” Henderson said. “The rest depends on injuries. I haven’t lost any quickness.”

Brock, who left for his home in St. Louis immediately after the ceremony on the field, said earlier Wednesday that “nature will eventually take a toll,” but he added that Henderson can steal 50 or more a year for five or six years at least. He said he had braced himself for the moment that his name was erased from the record book.

“Any player who holds a significant record cherishes it and wants to keep it,” Brock said, “but there’s room at the top. I put my signature on the stolen base, but my calling card covers it all.

“I got 3,000 hits and played well defensively. I was a player who could do a lot of things and will be remembered for that, and so will Rickey. Obviously, he’s more than a great base stealer, though I’m not sure people have a real appreciation and understanding for the mental and physical dedication it takes to be just that.”

There is no diminishing Henderson’s accomplishment. Consider:

--Brock took 19 years to reach 938, set a record of 118 steals in 1974 but did not steal more than 74 in any other season. Henderson is in his 13th season and has stolen 75 or more seven times, including a record 130 in 1982.

--Although Maury Wills became the first player to steal 100 or more bases in a season when he got 104 in 1962, he had only four other seasons of 50 or more. Henderson has stolen 50 or more 10 times, 100 or more three times.

--And when Henderson stole his 893rd base to break Ty Cobb’s American League record last season, he did it in his 1,515th game. Cobb stole 892 in 3,034 games spanning 24 seasons.

A hotdog? Henderson may be that, but he seldom runs simply to run. He has stolen 75% of his bases within a four-run span when his team ahead by two runs or down by two.

“If he ran every time the steal was there, he’d have broken the record a long time ago,” A’s Manager Tony La Russa said. “He runs according to what the game dictates and has since he got here, at least.”

Henderson’s record run came at the expense of pitcher Tim Leary and catcher Matt Nokes, who threw out Henderson attempting to steal second in the first inning and third in the sixth.

Henderson reached base on an error in the fourth, took second on an infield hit and easily stole on the second pitch to Harold Baines. Henderson said he always has been more comfortable stealing third base because the pitcher is in front of him and easier to read.

“The pitch was down and in, and I felt I had to rush myself,” Nokes said. “He got a great jump, and I was not really in a position to throw him out. He’s the best ever, and it was an honor just to be part of it.”

Having satisfied a secondary goal of setting the record against the Yankees, his former team, Henderson said he is relieved to have it over, period.

“The last two bases have been the toughest of my career,” he said. “It seems like I’ve been fighting myself, putting pressure on myself. The fans have been so involved that it was tough to concentrate. I haven’t even been sleeping well. Once I stole the base I felt like a new man. I can concentrate on winning games now, maybe get a good night’s sleep.”

And maybe start to work on his next goals. Henderson said he wants to break Cobb’s record for runs--he is 950 shy--because it would be a measure of his contribution to the team and his status as a complete player.

“I want to walk away knowing I challenged every aspect of the game,” he said. “I think I should have a chance to go to the Hall of Fame based on everything I offer as an offensive weapon--not just stolen bases.”

RICKEY HENDERSON’S STOLEN BASE STATISTICS BY BASE: 2nd base: 719 3rd base: 216 Home base: 4 Total: 939

TEAM-BY-TEAM

Team Stolen bases Minnesota 84 Texas 82 Kansas City 80 Toronto 80 Baltimore 79 Cleveland 78 Chicago White Sox 72 Seattle 71 Milwaukee 66 Boston 63 Detroit 61 Angels 54 New York Yankees 42 Oakland 27

YEAR-BY-YEAR Oakland: ‘79: 33 ‘80: 100 ‘81: 56 ‘82: 130 ‘83: 108 ‘84: 66 New York Yankees: ‘85: 80 ‘86: 87 ‘87: 41 ‘88: 93 Oakland: New York Yankees: ‘89: 77 Oakland: ‘90: 65 ‘91: 3 LEADERS Player: Rickey Henderson Years: 13 Average: 78* Steals: 939 Player: Lou Brock Years: 19 Average: 49.4 Steals: 938 Player: Ty Cobb Years: 24 Average: 37.2 Steals: 892 Player: Eddie Collins Years: 25 Average: 29.7 Steals: 743 Player: Max Carey Years: 20 Average: 36.9 Steals: 738 ON THE HORIZON Player: Tim Raines Years: 13 Average: 52.8* Steals: 638 Player: Willie Wilson Years: 16 Average: 40.8* Steals: 615 Player: Vince Coleman Years: 7 Average: 91.5* Steals: 561 Player: Ozzie Smith Years: 14 Average: 35.7* Steals: 469 Player: Steve Sax Years: 11 Average: 37.6* Steals: 380 * Average does not include 1991 total Source: Associated Press