Rickey Henderson never wanted to stop diving headfirst or dashing home or making a snatch catch of a fly ball or wearing a major league uniform. He never wanted to stop playing baseball. Even on the day that Henderson was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, he still mused about playing one more game with the Oakland Athletics.

“I always want to reappear in a uniform with Oakland,” Henderson said.

Henderson’s superb career as a leadoff hitter was defined by speed and success, themes that continued Monday when he was elected into the Hall in his first year of eligibility. As Henderson sprinted into the Hall with 94.8 percent of the vote, Jim Rice squeezed in through a closing door. In Rice’s 15th and final year on the ballot, he received 76.4 percent.

For election, players need 75 percent of the vote from veteran members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Of the 539 ballots cast, Henderson notched 511 votes and Rice 412. Rice, a slugger for the Boston Red Sox, surpassed the necessary threshold by seven votes. Outfielder Andre Dawson followed Rice with 67 percent and pitcher Bert Blyleven had 62.7.

“As far as what took so long, I have no idea,” Rice said. “The only thing I can say is I’m glad it’s over with.”