Interesting Stats : Most All-Time steals by position

[D. Bergin]

According to the article this originated from, it's a Post-1920 list (live ball era).

https://www.mlb.com/news/stolen-base...-each-position

[D. Bergin]

Most surprising I guess is Howard Johnson. I completely forgot about him. He didn't have much of a prime, but did have a very nice 5 year run for the Mets and got the bulk of his stolen bases in a 6 year stretch.

[BobC]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

According to the article this originated from, it's a Post-1920 list (live ball era).

https://www.mlb.com/news/stolen-base...-each-position

I can see breaking off a question about home runs between the dead and live ball eras, but not so clear as to how a live or dead ball would impact someone's ability to steal bases. Unless they think that once the home run became such a big deal in the live ball era that managers quit having their players steal so much to try and get into scoring position. With the emphasis on home runs today, once a player is on first base, they're often already considered to be in scoring position, based on who's coming up to the plate next. Wonder if that was the reason for the 1920 cut-off?

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by BobC

I can see breaking off a question about home runs between the dead and live ball eras, but not so clear as to how a live or dead ball would impact someone's ability to steal bases. Unless they think that once the home run became such a big deal in the live ball era that managers quit having their players steal so much to try and get into scoring position. With the emphasis on home runs today, once a player is on first base, they're often already considered to be in scoring position, based on who's coming up to the plate next. Wonder if that was the reason for the 1920 cut-off?

Did not realize it was post 1920. It said all time so that is why I was confused. Since most of Wagner and Cobb steals were pre-1920.

But I agree I would not have made that the cutoff since all records are seem to be based all time from the pre 1900 to present like hits, home runs, career stolen bases etc so odd that they separated stolen bases to do by position Post 1920

Me personally I think the article is highly flawed as a result

[D. Bergin]

I don't know. The article says exactly what it's intention is and why.

The biggest flaw is that it doesn't break down the numbers into actual stolen bases in games played in that position.

Rickey Henderson actually had 1132 stolen bases as a Left Fielder.

Don't really have time right now to look up all the rest.

[cgjackson222]

HoJo!!!

[Rad_Hazard]

If we are truly going All-Time (since the inception of stats in 1871), then it looks like this (I used my Stathead Account). Rickey was the only holdover.

My only criteria was: at least 50% of games played at that position - NOTE: If I change this to a lower % like 40, this changes some of the entries, I just figured 50% or more would be a good qualifier.


Catcher : Jack O'Connor = 219 Steals

1st base : Jack Doyle = 518 Steals

2nd base : Eddie Collins = 741 Steals

Shortstop : Honus Wagner = 723 Steals

3rd base : Arlie Latham = 742 Steals

Left field : Ricky Henderson = 1406 Steals

Center field : Billy Hamilton = 914 Steals

Right field : Patsy Donovan = 518 Steals

Designated hitter : Don Baylor = 285 Steals

Pitcher : Tony Mullane = 112 Steals


Fun Fact: Baseball Reference lists Don Baylor's nicknames as "Groove" or "The Sneak Thief", automatically putting him the S tier of nicknames.

[mrreality68]

I just hope with the bigger bases and the pitch clock and throw over rules that steals makes a comeback

I always liked stolen bases and catchers trying to throw out the base runner and small balls

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Rad_Hazard

If we are truly going All-Time (since the inception of stats in 1871), then it looks like this (I used my Stathead Account). Rickey was the only holdover.

My only criteria was: at least 50% of games played at that position - NOTE: If I change this to a lower % like 40, this changes some of the entries, I just figured 50% or more would be a good qualifier.


Catcher : Jack O'Connor = 219 Steals

1st base : Jack Doyle = 518 Steals

2nd base : Eddie Collins = 741 Steals

Shortstop : Honus Wagner = 723 Steals

3rd base : Arlie Latham = 742 Steals

Left field : Ricky Henderson = 1406 Steals

Center field : Billy Hamilton = 914 Steals

Right field : Patsy Donovan = 518 Steals

Designated hitter : Don Baylor = 285 Steals

Pitcher : Tony Mullane = 112 Steals


Fun Fact: Baseball Reference lists Don Baylor's nicknames as "Groove" or "The Sneak Thief", automatically putting him the S tier of nicknames.

How can Chuck's list be wrong even as to DH????? Seems like an apples to oranges thing going on here.