Who Was the First to Steal a Base?
In baseball, stealing a base is a crucial skill that requires speed, strategy, and a bit of luck. In the early days of the game, the practice of stealing a base was met with some controversy. While some players and teams embraced it as a way to gain an advantage, others considered it to be unsportsmanlike. Despite the controversy, there are a few players who are credited with being the first to successfully steal a base in Major League Baseball.
The First Recorded Stolen Base
The first recorded stolen base in Major League Baseball occurred during a game on July 20, 1887. The game was between the Brooklyn Bridegrooms and the Cincinnati Red Stockings. The player credited with stealing the base was Billy Shindle, a shortstop for the Bridegrooms. Shindle successfully stole second base during the game, and the steal was recorded in the official game log.
The First Stolen Base in the National League
The first stolen base in the National League was recorded on May 2, 1888. The game was between the Washington Nationals and the Philadelphia Phillies. The player credited with stealing the base was Arlie Latham, a third baseman for the Nationals. Latham is known as the “Father of Base Stealing” due to his ability to steal bases.
The First Player to Steal Home
The first recorded stolen base of home plate occurred on May 8, 1889. The game was between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago White Stockings. The player credited with stealing home was Henry Larkin, a third baseman for the Phillies. Larkin stole home plate during the fourth inning of the game.
The First Player to Steal 100 Bases
The first player to steal 100 bases in a single season was Hugh Nicol, a right fielder for the Cincinnati Red Stockings. Nicol achieved the feat in 1887, the same year that Billy Shindle stole the first base in Major League Baseball. Nicol would go on to steal a total of 168 bases in the 1888 season, setting a record that would stand for nearly 100 years.
The First Player to Steal 300 Bases
The first player to steal 300 bases was Arlie Latham. Latham achieved the feat in 1888, the same year that he stole the first base in the National League. Latham would go on to steal a total of 412 bases during his career, setting a record that still stands today.
The First Player to Steal 400 Bases
The first player to steal 400 bases was Ty Cobb. Cobb achieved the feat in 1915, becoming the first player in Major League Baseball history to do so. Cobb would go on to steal a total of 892 bases during his career, setting a record that still stands today.
The First Player to Steal 500 Bases
The first player to steal 500 bases was Rickey Henderson. Henderson achieved the feat in 1991, becoming the first player in Major League Baseball history to do so. Henderson would go on to steal a total of 1,406 bases during his career, setting a record that still stands today.
The First Player to Steal 600 Bases
The first player to steal 600 bases was Lou Brock. Brock achieved the feat in 1974, becoming the first player in Major League Baseball history to do so. Brock would go on to steal a total of 938 bases during his career, setting a record that still stands today.
The First Player to Steal 700 Bases
The first player to steal 700 bases was Vince Coleman. Coleman achieved the feat in 1992, becoming the first player in Major League Baseball history to do so. Coleman would go on to steal a total of 752 bases during his career, setting a record that still stands today.
Conclusion
Stealing a base is an important part of the game of baseball, and it requires both speed and strategy. While there are several players who are credited with being the first to successfully steal a base, the players mentioned in this article are some of the most prominent. Billy Shindle was the first to steal a base in Major League Baseball, Arlie Latham was the first to steal a base in the National League, Henry Larkin was the first to steal home, and Hugh Nicol was the first player to steal 100 bases in a season. Rickey Henderson was the first player to steal 500 bases, and Vince Coleman was the first player to steal 700 bases.
These players all have a place in the history of baseball, and their feats still stand as records today. Whether stealing a base is considered unsportsmanlike or not, there is no denying that it is an important part of the game.