[GeoPoto]

Player #164A: George W. Case. Outfielder for the Washington Senators in 1937-1945 and 1947. 1,415 hits and 349 stolen bases in 11 MLB seasons. 4-time All-Star. 6-time AL stolen base leader. Only player to ever lead MLB in stolen bases for five consecutive years (1939-1943). His best season was probably 1942 for Washington as he posted a .377 OBP with 101 runs scored and 44 stolen bases in 563 plate appearances.

We will start with Deveaux on Case and then continue on in tomorrow's introduction: On the Washington club of 1939, the revelation was second-year outfielder George Case. Indeed, Case caused a sensation throughout baseball, stealing 51 bases, the highest total in the majors since Ben Chapman's 61 eight years earlier. Case would become the greatest base stealer of his time; in the 40-year period from 1921 to 1961, no one would pilfer more bases than the 61 he would swipe in 1940. For five straight years beginning in 1939, Case would lead both major leagues in steals, a feat unprecedented in major-league history. He did incur numerous injuries while sliding, but in 1948, hobbled by pains which were bringing his career to an abrupt end at age 31, he would win a sixth league title.