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Rickey Henderson's 'Greatest of all time' speech wasn't part of plan

One of the most iconic moments in Oakland A's history wasn't supposed to happen the way it played out.

On May 1, 1991 -- 29 years ago today -- A's outfielder Rickey Henderson stole the 939th base of his Hall of Fame career, breaking the record held by former St. Louis Cardinals star Lou Brock.

The game stopped to honor Henderson, and the flashy superstar said "Today, I am the greatest of all time."

It's a phrase no one will ever forget, but according to Brock, Henderson went off script.

In a column posted on Friday, ESPN's Tim Kurkjian recalled a chat he had with Brock during Hall of Fame weekend in Cooperstown, New York a few years ago.