The second and third greatest base stealers of all time?

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Balticfox

And I am! Ty Cobb is fourth all-time in stolen bases and only Ricky Henderson and Lou Brock stole more bases since 1900. Moreover Cobb's total of 96 stolen bases in 1915 wasn't exceeded until Maury Wills stole 104 a whopping 47 years later in 1962!

I think it was Aparicio who revitalized the stolen base in the late 50s, but even he was putting up numbers in the 50s. Wills' season was insane. It's hard to have a conversation about stolen bases without Cobb, Wills and Brock, IMO.

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I think it was Aparicio who revitalized the stolen base in the late 50s, but even he was putting up numbers in the 50s.

Yes. Luis Aparicio led the American League in stolen bases for nine straight seasons from 1956 to 1964 with annual totals of 21, 28, 29, 56, 51, 53, 31, 40 and 57. As a result he's one of my favourite players from the era. I have his 1959 Topps card:



I also just bought the 1959 "Keystone Combo" card that he shares with Nellie Fox although I've not received it yet. In addition I have his 1962 Canadian Post Cereal card, his 1962 Shirriff coin, his 1963 Salada coin and his 1964 Topps coins.

[Balticfox]

Here's my 1959 "Keystone Combo" card:

[Balticfox]

Though HOFer James "Cool Papa" Bell doesn't appear on any of the Stolen Base record lists, he was reputed to be the fastest player of his time on the base paths:

Originally Posted by Wikipedia

Bell described the style of play on the occasions when the Negro league players faced white teams in exhibitions: "We played a different kind of baseball than the white teams. We played tricky baseball. We did things they didn't expect. We'd bunt and run in the first inning. Then when they would come in for a bunt we'd hit away. We always crossed them up. We'd run the bases hard and make the fielders throw too quick and make wild throws. We'd fake a steal home and rattle the pitcher into a balk."

Bell was described as being so fast that he once scored from first on a sacrifice bunt. In an exhibition game against white all-stars, Bell is said to have broken for second on a bunt and run with Paige at the plate. By the time the ball reached Paige, Bell was almost to second and seeing the third baseman had broken towards home to field the bunt, rounded the bag. The catcher, Roy Partee of the Boston Red Sox, ran to third to cover the bag and an anticipated return throw from first. To his surprise, Bell rounded third and brushed by him on the way home; pitcher Murry Dickson of the St. Louis Cardinals had not thought to cover home with the catcher moving up the line, and Bell scored standing up.

Sure sounds to me as if Cool Papa Bell played baseball the way it should be played! I may in time add an Ultra Pro page for Cool Papa Bell Topps, Fleer, Donruss and Upper Deck cards to the mini binder I'm envisioning for the cards of base stealers who played outside the 1954-65 years that's my focus for the Baseball cards I collect.

[Peter_Spaeth]

According to legend, Paige said of Bell he was so fast he could turn off the lights, get into bed and pull up the covers before the room got dark.

[Touch'EmAll]

Don't know how, but Babe Ruth stole home 10 times. And Lou Gehrig stole home 15 times. Lou Brock zero.

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by Balticfox

Yes. Luis Aparicio led the American League in stolen bases for nine straight seasons from 1956 to 1964 with annual totals of 21, 28, 29, 56, 51, 53, 31, 40 and 57. As a result he's one of my favourite players from the era.

Bert Campaneris deserves mention here because he was the player who ended Aparicio's streak of being the American League stolen base leader. Campaneris led the AL with stolen base totals of 51, 52, 55, 62, 42 and 52 for the Athletics in 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1970 and 1972 respectively. His career total of 649 stolen bases over nineteen seasons has him at #14 on the lifetime MLB list.

Like Aparicio, Campaneris also used his speed to stretch hits out into triples. Bert Campaneris had 86 career triples compared to Aparicio's 82 over eighteen seasons.