Stealing Bases: Who Has the Record?
Base stealing is an essential part of baseball. It involves a runner taking off for the next base before the pitcher throws the ball to the catcher. It’s a great way to move up the bases without having to get a hit or sacrifice bunt. In fact, it is often the difference between a win or a loss in a game. But who has the record for most stolen bases?
Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henderson is widely considered to be the greatest base stealer in MLB history. He played for nine different teams throughout his 25-year career from 1979-2003, and he holds the all-time record for stolen bases with 1,406. He stole over 100 bases in a single season four times and led the league in stolen bases for 12 seasons. He also holds the record for most consecutive seasons with at least 50 stolen bases, at five.
Lou Brock
Lou Brock was a Hall of Fame outfielder who also holds the record for most stolen bases. He played for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs from 1961-1979 and had a total of 938 stolen bases. He led the league in stolen bases eight times, and he holds the record for most consecutive seasons with at least 50 stolen bases, at four.
Vince Coleman
Vince Coleman is the third player in MLB history to have over 900 stolen bases. He played for six different teams from 1985-1997 and had a career total of 752 stolen bases. He led the league in stolen bases for four consecutive seasons from 1985-1988. He is also one of only three players to have 100 stolen bases in a season, which he achieved in 1987.
Ty Cobb
Ty Cobb is the fourth player in MLB history to have over 900 stolen bases. He played for the Detroit Tigers and the Philadelphia Athletics from 1905-1928 and had a career total of 892 stolen bases. He led the league in stolen bases 12 times and holds the record for most consecutive seasons with at least 50 stolen bases, at three.
Billy Hamilton
Billy Hamilton was an outfielder who played for the Cincinnati Reds and the Philadelphia Phillies from 1888-1901 and had a career total of 837 stolen bases. He led the league in stolen bases for four consecutive seasons from 1890-1893 and holds the record for most consecutive seasons with at least 50 stolen bases, at two.
Tim Raines
Tim Raines was an outfielder who played for six different teams from 1979-2002 and had a career total of 808 stolen bases. He led the league in stolen bases four times, and he holds the record for most consecutive seasons with at least 50 stolen bases, at three.
Eddie Collins
Eddie Collins was an infielder who played for the Philadelphia Athletics and Chicago White Sox from 1906-1930 and had a career total of 741 stolen bases. He led the league in stolen bases six times, and he holds the record for most consecutive seasons with at least 50 stolen bases, at two.
Max Carey
Max Carey was an outfielder who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Brooklyn Robins from 1910-1929 and had a career total of 738 stolen bases. He led the league in stolen bases 10 times, and he holds the record for most consecutive seasons with at least 50 stolen bases, at two.
Honus Wagner
Honus Wagner was an infielder who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1897-1917 and had a career total of 722 stolen bases. He led the league in stolen bases eight times, and he holds the record for most consecutive seasons with at least 50 stolen bases, at two.
Conclusion
Base stealing is an important part of the game of baseball and it takes a lot of skill to be successful in it. There have been many great base stealers throughout MLB history, but Rickey Henderson has the all-time record for stolen bases with 1,406. Lou Brock, Vince Coleman, Ty Cobb, Billy Hamilton, Tim Raines, Eddie Collins, Max Carey, and Honus Wagner round out the list of players with over 900 steals.