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Taking the Extra Base: The Players

Stimulated by the Texas Rangers chapter in the “Bill James Baseball Abstract 1984” entitled “Running The Bases” (pages 156-159), the following study reveals the top base runners in the past 85 seasons (1930-2015) with respect to taking the extra base on a clean single.* I will post a companion article in the near future to review my findings with respect to team baserunning outcomes. Here are links to the data in OpenDocument Spreadsheet format:

Baserunning Single-Season Totals, Sorted by Year, Team and Pct1st3rd

Baserunning Career Totals Sorted by Pct1st3rd

Advancing from First to Third Base on a Single

I downloaded the 1930 through 2015 season-by-season event databases from Retrosheet. I utilized the following criteria to sort and filter the data:

All events coded as singles with a runner on first base at the start of the play denoted as Single_Baserunner_Opportunities, abbreviated as “Opps” –

where the runner on first base advanced to second base and no errors occurred on the play (denoted as “Single_1stTo2nd”)

where the runner on first base advanced to third base and no errors occurred on the play (denoted as “Single_1stTo3rd”)

where the runner on first scored on the play and no errors occurred (denoted as “Single_Scored_From_1st”)

where the runner on first was put out on the play and no errors occurred (denoted as “BaserunningOuts”)

This yielded the following results:

572,679 Single_Baserunner_Opps

170,123 Single_1stTo3rd

389,902 Single_1stTo2nd

1,678 Single_Scored_From_1st

10,976 BaserunningOuts

I focused on the “Single_1stTo3rd” plays, since any ballplayer can advance from first to second base on a clean single. Conversely, scoring a runner from first base on a single is such an exciting yet rare event that it only occurs roughly 20 times per season. A baserunner’s dash from first to third base requires speed, skill, agility, daring and intellect. In a few brief moments the runner decides whether to fully commit to taking the extra base, while processing the distance of the hit, how far the outfielder must travel to retrieve the ball, the strength and accuracy of the outfielder’s throwing arm. The baserunner also needs to make an honest assessment of their skills and determine if the gamble is likely to pay off.

The “First-to-Third Percentage” is calculated by taking the number of successful events where the baserunner advanced from first base to third base on a clean single with no errors on a play divided by the number of opportunities. Therefore any “failed” events are essentially noting when the runner exercised caution and remained at second base, with a handful of “put out attempting to advance” events to round out the totals.

“Event files for most seasons prior to 1974 are each missing a few games. For a list of the games that are missing (although some of them are in the event files with some innings reconstructed based on a partial game account and box score) see the Most Wanted List… Note that some games in our files have “99” for missing plays that were outs.” – Retrosheet Event Files

Terminology

1B_BR_Opps – # occurrences when the runner on first base attempted to advance on a clean single (no errors on the play)

1st-Home – runner on first base scored on a clean single

1st-3rd – runner on first base advanced safely to third base on a clean single

1st-2nd – runner on first base advanced safely to second base on a clean single

BR_Outs – runner on first base is put out attempting to advance on a clean single

Pct1st3rd – # of successful advances from first to third base (1st-3rd) divided by the # of opportunities (1B_BR_Opps)

First-to-Third Percentage (minimum 150 opportunities)

Dexter Fowler 58.0% (112 successful first-to-third advances in 193 opps)

Team_Year 1B_BR_Opps 1st-Home 1st-3rd 1st-2nd BR_Outs Pct1st3rd COL_2008 2 0 2 0 0 1.000 COL_2009 21 0 13 8 0 0.619 COL_2010 26 0 11 14 1 0.423 COL_2011 33 0 20 13 0 0.606 COL_2012 28 0 18 10 0 0.643 COL_2013 29 0 19 10 0 0.655 HOU_2014 23 0 15 8 0 0.652 CHN_2015 31 0 14 15 2 0.452 Totals 193 0 112 78 3 0.580

The Chicago Cubs’ center fielder tops the All-Time list* (minimum 150 opps), taking the extra base on 58% of all singles when he is the runner on first base. “Daddy Long Legs” led the National League with 14 triples in 2010 and topped the 100-run mark in 2015 while notching a career-high 26 Win Shares.

Glenn Beckert 57.0% (213 successful first-to-third advances in 374 opps)

Team_Year 1B_BR_Opps 1st-Home 1st-3rd 1st-2nd BR_Outs Pct1st3rd CHN_1965 33 0 18 14 1 0.545 CHN_1966 39 0 25 14 0 0.641 CHN_1967 53 0 39 14 0 0.736 CHN_1968 44 0 28 16 0 0.636 CHN_1969 43 1 27 14 1 0.628 CHN_1970 40 0 19 21 0 0.475 CHN_1971 44 0 26 18 0 0.591 CHN_1972 33 0 15 18 0 0.455 CHN_1973 33 0 13 20 0 0.394 SDN_1974 11 0 2 9 0 0.182 SDN_1975 1 0 1 0 0 1.000 Totals 374 1 213 158 2 0.570

Four-time All-Star and former Cubs second baseman Glenn Beckert places runner-up on our roster of calculated risk-takers. Beckert recorded at least 90 runs scored in three seasons and topped the Senior Circuit with 98 aces in 1968. His aggressive base running tactics did not include the stolen base, as he converted only 49 of 74 stolen base attempts in his big-league career.

Dave Hollins 55.7% (123 successful first-to-third advances in 221 opps)

Team_Year 1B_BR_Opps 1st-Home 1st-3rd 1st-2nd BR_Outs Pct1st3rd PHI_1990 6 1 2 3 0 0.333 PHI_1991 7 0 4 3 0 0.571 PHI_1992 34 0 17 16 1 0.500 PHI_1993 32 0 22 10 0 0.688 PHI_1994 11 0 4 7 0 0.364 PHI_1995 14 0 10 4 0 0.714 MIN_1996 45 0 25 20 0 0.556 SEA_1996 10 0 3 6 1 0.300 ANA_1997 32 1 17 14 0 0.531 ANA_1998 24 0 16 8 0 0.667 TOR_1999 3 0 2 1 0 0.667 PHI_2002 3 0 1 2 0 0.333 Totals 221 2 123 94 2 0.557

Dave “Head” Hollins garnered his lone All-Star invitation in 1993, one year after he rewarded the Phillies with 27 blasts and 93 ribbies at the hot corner. He surpassed the century mark in runs scored on three occasions. Hollins registered 25 Win Shares and led the League with 19 HBP’s in ‘92.

Willie Mays 54.2 % (332 successful first-to-third advances in 612 opps)

Team_Year 1B_BR_Opps 1st-Home 1st-3rd 1st-2nd BR_Outs Pct1st3rd NY1_1951 32 0 16 14 2 0.500 NY1_1952 7 1 4 2 0 0.571 NY1_1954 29 0 20 8 1 0.690 NY1_1955 25 0 14 11 0 0.560 NY1_1956 16 1 6 9 0 0.375 NY1_1957 33 1 19 13 0 0.576 SFN_1958 38 0 24 14 0 0.632 SFN_1959 40 0 22 17 1 0.550 SFN_1960 34 1 19 13 1 0.559 SFN_1961 38 1 21 14 2 0.553 SFN_1962 38 0 20 14 4 0.526 SFN_1963 30 0 24 4 2 0.800 SFN_1964 28 0 12 16 0 0.429 SFN_1965 29 0 15 14 0 0.517 SFN_1966 22 0 13 8 1 0.591 SFN_1967 32 2 21 9 0 0.656 SFN_1968 40 1 18 20 1 0.450 SFN_1969 25 0 10 14 1 0.400 SFN_1970 25 0 18 6 1 0.720 SFN_1971 23 0 7 16 0 0.304 SFN_1972 7 0 1 6 0 0.143 NYN_1972 9 0 3 6 0 0.333 NYN_1973 12 0 5 6 1 0.417 Totals 612 8 332 254 18 0.542

The “Say Hey Kid” merited 12 consecutive Gold Glove Awards from 1957 to 1968, topped the National League in home runs 4 times and surpassed the 100-run plateau in twelve successive campaigns (1954-1965). The two-time MVP winner placed sixth or better in the balloting for ten straight seasons. Mays swiped a League-high 40 bases in ’56 and pilfered 336 bags in his career to complement his 660 circuit clouts.

Mike Trout 53.9% (82 successful first-to-third advances in 152 opps)

Team_Year 1B_BR_Opps 1st-Home 1st-3rd 1st-2nd BR_Outs Pct1st3rd ANA_2011 6 0 2 4 0 0.333 ANA_2012 43 1 25 17 0 0.581 ANA_2013 44 0 27 17 0 0.614 ANA_2014 39 2 19 17 1 0.487 ANA_2015 20 0 9 11 0 0.450 Totals 152 3 82 66 1 0.539

The 2012 American League Rookie of the Year and 2014 A.L. MVP produced a .308 BA with 34 home runs, 95 RBI and 114 runs scored per season from 2012-15. The “Millville Meteor” has curtailed his base-stealing exploits since he nabbed 49 bags in 54 attempts during his inaugural campaign. Through the 2015 season, Trout accrued 163 Win Shares and 33 WAR.

Chick Hafey 53.5% (91 successful first-to-third advances in 170 opps)

Team_Year 1B_BR_Opps 1st-Home 1st-3rd 1st-2nd BR_Outs Pct1st3rd SLN_1930 25 0 15 10 0 0.600 SLN_1931 19 0 8 11 0 0.421 CIN_1932 18 0 9 9 0 0.500 CIN_1933 34 0 15 18 1 0.441 CIN_1934 50 0 31 19 0 0.620 CIN_1935 6 0 4 2 0 0.667 CIN_1937 18 0 9 9 0 0.500 Totals 170 0 91 78 1 0.535

A lifetime .317 hitter, Chick Hafey claimed the 1931 NL batting crown, supplying a .349 BA for the Redbirds. Hafey posted a .339 BA over six seasons (1927-1932) and tallied at least 100 runs and RBI in three consecutive campaigns (1928-1930). The 53.5% first-to-third percentage represents the latter-half of his career.

Red Kress 53.2% (84 successful first-to-third advances in 158 opps)

Team_Year 1B_BR_Opps 1st-Home 1st-3rd 1st-2nd BR_Outs Pct1st3rd SLA_1930 23 0 11 11 1 0.478 SLA_1931 26 0 12 12 2 0.462 SLA_1932 1 0 0 0 1 0 CHA_1932 23 0 14 7 2 0.609 CHA_1933 23 0 14 8 1 0.609 CHA_1934 1 0 0 1 0 0 WS1_1934 2 0 2 0 0 1.000 WS1_1935 12 0 5 6 1 0.417 WS1_1936 18 0 7 10 1 0.389 SLA_1938 21 0 14 6 1 0.667 SLA_1939 1 0 1 0 0 1.000 DET_1939 3 0 2 1 0 0.667 DET_1940 4 0 2 2 0 0.500 Totals 158 0 84 64 10 0.532

In his rookie campaign, Browns’ shortstop Red Kress legged out 10 triples and delivered a .273 BA. Over the next three years, Kress averaged .310 with 42 doubles, 14 dingers, 111 ribbies and 88 runs scored. Settling into a super-utility role, Kress was traded several times including a deal in January, 1937 which shipped him to the minors with the Minneapolis Millers. He returned the majors with the Browns in the subsequent season and notched a .302 BA with 33 two-base knocks.

Pepper Martin 53.0% (80 successful first-to-third advances in 151 opps)

Team_Year 1B_BR_Opps 1st-Home 1st-3rd 1st-2nd BR_Outs Pct1st3rd SLN_1931 25 0 18 3 4 0.720 SLN_1932 17 0 11 6 0 0.647 SLN_1933 31 1 14 14 2 0.452 SLN_1934 7 0 6 1 0 0.857 SLN_1935 19 0 12 6 1 0.632 SLN_1936 14 0 9 5 0 0.643 SLN_1937 8 0 3 4 1 0.375 SLN_1938 6 0 4 2 0 0.667 SLN_1939 15 0 1 13 1 0.067 SLN_1940 4 0 2 2 0 0.500 SLN_1944 5 0 0 5 0 0.000 Totals 151 1 80 61 9 0.530

Pepper Martin earned cups of coffee in 1928 and 1930 before breaking into the Redbirds lineup in ’31. One of the members of the “Gas House Gang”, Martin led the National League with 122 runs scored in 1933 and registered 121 tallies in back-to-back seasons (1935-36). “The Wild Horse of the Osage” paced the circuit in stolen bases three times.

Ron LeFlore 52.7% (109 successful first-to-third advances in 207 opps)

Team_Year 1B_BR_Opps 1st-Home 1st-3rd 1st-2nd BR_Outs Pct1st3rd DET_1974 11 0 6 5 0 0.545 DET_1975 32 1 21 10 0 0.656 DET_1976 19 1 8 10 0 0.421 DET_1977 33 0 12 20 1 0.364 DET_1978 38 0 22 14 2 0.579 DET_1979 34 0 21 13 0 0.618 MON_1980 15 0 4 11 0 0.267 CHA_1981 16 0 9 7 0 0.563 CHA_1982 9 0 6 3 0 0.667 Totals 207 2 109 93 3 0.527

Two-time stolen base champion Ron LeFlore pilfered 455 bases in his career, averaging 51 swipes per season. He scored a League-leading 126 runs for Detroit in 1978 and racked up 97 successful steals for the Expos in 1980. In a five-year stretch covering 1976-1980, LeFlore registered 105 runs scored per year.

Shawon Dunston 51.3% (119 successful first-to-third advances in 232 opps)

Team_Year 1B_BR_Opps 1st-Home 1st-3rd 1st-2nd BR_Outs Pct1st3rd CHN_1985 10 0 5 4 1 0.500 CHN_1986 17 0 4 13 0 0.235 CHN_1987 21 0 12 7 2 0.571 CHN_1988 15 0 10 5 0 0.667 CHN_1989 15 0 11 4 0 0.733 CHN_1990 28 0 15 13 0 0.536 CHN_1991 15 0 10 5 0 0.667 CHN_1992 1 0 0 1 0 0.000 CHN_1993 1 0 0 1 0 0.000 CHN_1994 12 0 6 6 0 0.500 CHN_1995 23 0 11 10 2 0.478 SFN_1996 17 0 7 10 0 0.412 CHN_1997 13 0 10 2 1 0.769 PIT_1997 2 0 1 1 0 0.500 CLE_1998 9 0 3 6 0 0.333 SFN_1998 2 0 0 2 0 0 SLN_1999 11 0 4 7 0 0.364 NYN_1999 7 0 2 5 0 0.286 SLN_2000 4 0 2 2 0 0.500 SFN_2001 4 0 3 0 1 0.750 SFN_2002 5 0 3 2 0 0.600 Totals 232 0 119 106 7 0.513

A veteran of 18 Major League campaigns and the Cubs #1 draft pick in 1982, Shawon Dunston nabbed 30+ bases in 1988 and 1997. He garnered two All-Star invitations and recorded 212 career stolen bases.

Kiki Cuyler 51.0% (102 successful first-to-third advances in 200 opps)

Team_Year 1B_BR_Opps 1st-Home 1st-3rd 1st-2nd BR_Outs Pct1st3rd CHN_1930 28 1 17 9 1 0.607 CHN_1931 26 0 13 13 0 0.500 CHN_1932 17 0 8 8 1 0.471 CHN_1933 10 0 5 5 0 0.500 CHN_1934 26 0 13 13 0 0.500 CHN_1935 5 0 4 1 0 0.800 CIN_1935 13 0 7 5 1 0.538 CIN_1936 38 0 18 20 0 0.474 CIN_1937 24 0 15 8 1 0.625 BRO_1938 13 0 2 11 0 0.154 Totals 200 1 102 93 4 0.510

Inducted in the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in 1968, outfielder Kiki Cuyler produced a career batting average of .321 and topped the National League in stolen bases four times. Cuyler eclipsed the 100-run mark five times including 155 runs scored in 1930.

Chone Figgins 50.4% (142 successful first-to-third advances in 282 opps)

Team_Year 1B_BR_Opps 1st-Home 1st-3rd 1st-2nd BR_Outs Pct1st3rd ANA_2002 2 0 1 1 0 0.500 ANA_2003 19 0 11 8 0 0.579 ANA_2004 29 0 16 10 3 0.552 ANA_2005 34 0 19 14 1 0.559 ANA_2006 37 1 16 20 0 0.432 ANA_2007 33 0 19 14 0 0.576 ANA_2008 27 0 10 17 0 0.370 ANA_2009 42 0 22 19 1 0.524 SEA_2010 32 0 14 17 1 0.438 SEA_2011 10 0 6 3 1 0.600 SEA_2012 12 0 6 6 0 0.500 LAN_2014 5 0 2 3 0 0.400 Totals 282 1 142 132 7 0.504

A swift utilityman with 341 career stolen bases to his credit, Chone Figgins debuted as a pinch-runner for the eventual 2002 World Series Champions. Following several seasons as a jack-of-all-trades, Figgins settled in at the hot corner for the Halos. He averaged 44 steals over seven campaigns (2004-2010) including a League-best 62 swipes in 2005. Figgins posted a .330 BA in ’07 and topped the Junior Circuit with 101 bases on balls while meriting an invitation to the All-Star contest in ’09.

Carl Reynolds 50.0% (81 successful first-to-third advances in 162 opps)

Team_Year 1B_BR_Opps 1st-Home 1st-3rd 1st-2nd BR_Outs Pct1st3rd CHA_1930 31 0 18 12 1 0.581 CHA_1931 27 0 12 15 0 0.444 WS1_1932 14 0 7 7 0 0.500 SLA_1933 23 0 14 9 0 0.609 BOS_1934 13 0 5 8 0 0.385 BOS_1935 7 0 5 2 0 0.714 WS1_1936 13 0 5 7 1 0.385 CHN_1938 21 0 11 10 0 0.524 CHN_1939 13 1 4 8 0 0.308 Totals 162 1 81 78 2 0.500

Carl Reynolds produced a .302 batting average in his 13-year Major League career as an outfielder with the White Sox, Senators, Browns, Red Sox and Cubs. He tallied 25 Win Shares in his finest campaign (1930) when he delivered a .359 BA with 22 jacks and 104 ribbies. Reynolds contributed personal-bests with 202 base knocks, 103 runs and 18 triples.

Bobby Richardson 50.0% (135 successful first-to-third advances in 270 opps)

Team_Year 1B_BR_Opps 1st-Home 1st-3rd 1st-2nd BR_Outs Pct1st3rd NYA_1955 3 0 2 1 0 0.667 NYA_1956 1 0 1 0 0 1.000 NYA_1957 11 0 3 8 0 0.273 NYA_1958 13 0 8 5 0 0.615 NYA_1959 26 0 11 15 0 0.423 NYA_1960 16 0 5 11 0 0.313 NYA_1961 30 0 17 13 0 0.567 NYA_1962 32 0 19 13 0 0.594 NYA_1963 25 0 7 18 0 0.280 NYA_1964 43 2 25 14 2 0.581 NYA_1965 36 0 17 19 0 0.472 NYA_1966 34 0 20 14 0 0.588 Totals 270 2 135 131 2 0.500

Bobby Richardson appeared in seven All-Star contests and collected five Gold Glove Awards. The second baseman typically batted first or second for the Yankees during the latter half of his career, setting the table for Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle. He compiled a League-best 209 base hits and established career-highs in batting average (.302), runs (99), doubles (38), home runs and RBI in ‘62.

Thurman Munson 49.7% (184 successful first-to-third advances in 370 opps)

Team_Year 1B_BR_Opps 1st-Home 1st-3rd 1st-2nd BR_Outs Pct1st3rd NYA_1969 6 0 2 4 0 0.333 NYA_1970 32 0 15 16 1 0.469 NYA_1971 36 0 19 17 0 0.528 NYA_1972 37 0 13 23 1 0.351 NYA_1973 32 0 15 17 0 0.469 NYA_1974 33 0 15 18 0 0.455 NYA_1975 46 0 27 19 0 0.587 NYA_1976 44 0 27 17 0 0.614 NYA_1977 31 0 16 14 1 0.516 NYA_1978 39 0 20 19 0 0.513 NYA_1979 34 0 15 18 1 0.441 Totals 370 0 184 182 4 0.497

“Tugboat” earned American League Rookie of the Year honors in 1970. The 3-time Gold Glove Award winner (1973-75) collected the 1976 A.L. MVP Award. He produced a .309 BA with 16 four-baggers and 102 ribbies per season over a three-year period (1975-77).

Babe Ruth 49.7% (83 successful first-to-third advances in 167 opps)

Team_Year 1B_BR_Opps 1st-Home 1st-3rd 1st-2nd BR_Outs Pct1st3rd NYA_1930 30 0 18 10 2 0.600 NYA_1931 42 0 16 25 1 0.381 NYA_1932 36 0 24 12 0 0.667 NYA_1933 29 0 12 17 0 0.414 NYA_1934 26 0 12 12 2 0.462 BSN_1935 4 0 1 3 0 0.250 Totals 167 0 83 79 5 0.497

While we are only examining the final 5+ seasons of Babe Ruth’s career, the event data indicates that the “Sultan of Swat” excelled on the base paths. If you eliminate 192 runs scored by Ruth on his own circuit clouts from 1930-34, he still registered 80 runs per year during his age 35-39 seasons.

Julian Javier 49.3% (167 successful first-to-third advances in 339 opps)

Team_Year 1B_BR_Opps 1st-Home 1st-3rd 1st-2nd BR_Outs Pct1st3rd SLN_1960 21 0 8 11 2 0.381 SLN_1961 24 0 12 11 1 0.500 SLN_1962 36 1 23 12 0 0.639 SLN_1963 31 0 20 11 0 0.645 SLN_1964 23 0 12 11 0 0.522 SLN_1965 10 0 4 6 0 0.400 SLN_1966 24 0 15 9 0 0.625 SLN_1967 51 1 27 21 2 0.529 SLN_1968 32 0 12 19 1 0.375 SLN_1969 32 1 11 19 1 0.344 SLN_1970 32 0 18 12 2 0.563 SLN_1971 19 0 5 14 0 0.263 CIN_1972 4 0 0 4 0 0 Totals 339 3 167 160 9 0.493

The Redbirds’ second-sacker throughout the Sixties scored a career-high 97 runs and nabbed 26 bags in his third campaign. The two-time All-Star rapped 28 doubles and tallied 17 Win Shares in 1969.

Ed Morgan 48.7% (73 successful first-to-third advances in 150 opps)

Team_Year 1B_BR_Opps 1st-Home 1st-3rd 1st-2nd BR_Outs Pct1st3rd CLE_1930 38 0 13 22 3 0.342 CLE_1931 42 0 20 21 1 0.476 CLE_1932 41 0 21 20 0 0.512 CLE_1933 4 0 3 1 0 0.750 BOS_1934 25 0 16 8 1 0.640 Totals 150 0 73 72 5 0.487

Indians’ 1B/OF Ed Morgan logged a .338 BA through his fourth season in the big leagues. He enjoyed a majestic campaign in 1930, batting .349 while establishing personal-bests with 204 base hits, 122 runs scored, 47 doubles, 11 triples, 26 round-trippers and 136 ribbies. His output plummeted in ‘32 and he was out of the Major Leagues within three years.

Tony Kubek 48.6% (121 successful first-to-third advances in 249 opps)

Team_Year 1B_BR_Opps 1st-Home 1st-3rd 1st-2nd BR_Outs Pct1st3rd NYA_1957 26 0 8 18 0 0.308 NYA_1958 30 0 16 13 1 0.533 NYA_1959 33 0 16 16 1 0.485 NYA_1960 29 0 13 16 0 0.448 NYA_1961 38 0 18 20 0 0.474 NYA_1962 12 0 4 7 1 0.333 NYA_1963 39 0 21 18 0 0.538 NYA_1964 26 0 15 11 0 0.577 NYA_1965 16 0 10 6 0 0.625 Totals 249 0 121 125 3 0.486

Tony Kubek paired with Bobby Richardson to solidify the Yankees’ infield from the late Fifties through the mid-Sixties. Kubek collected the Rookie of the Year hardware in 1957 when he boasted his highest single-season batting average (.297). The three-time All-Star registered 21 Win Shares and drilled 38 doubles for the Bronx Bombers in ’61.

Chuck Klein 48.5% (144 successful first-to-third advances in 297 opps)

Team_Year 1B_BR_Opps 1st-Home 1st-3rd 1st-2nd BR_Outs Pct1st3rd PHI_1930 40 0 18 22 0 0.450 PHI_1931 34 0 20 13 1 0.588 PHI_1932 33 0 24 9 0 0.727 PHI_1933 39 0 16 23 0 0.410 CHN_1934 28 0 12 16 0 0.429 CHN_1935 20 0 11 9 0 0.550 CHN_1936 8 0 4 4 0 0.500 PHI_1936 15 0 7 7 1 0.467 PHI_1937 30 0 16 13 1 0.533 PHI_1938 19 0 5 14 0 0.263 PIT_1939 10 0 5 5 0 0.500 PHI_1939 6 0 2 4 0 0.333 PHI_1940 13 0 4 9 0 0.308 PHI_1941 2 0 0 2 0 0.000 Totals 297 0 144 150 3 0.485

Chuck Klein swatted 300 big-flies in his career which spanned 17 seasons (1928-1944). A Phillies mainstay with the exception of 2+ seasons with the Cubbies in the mid-Thirties, Klein racked up four home run titles and led the National League in multiple offensive categories from 1930-33. The 1932 N.L. MVP averaged 36 round-trippers, 139 RBI, 132 runs, 224 base hits, 46 two-baggers and a .359 BA in a five-year span covering 1929-1933.

Vada Pinson 49.3% (249 successful first-to-third advances in 515 opps)

Team_Year 1B_BR_Opps 1st-Home 1st-3rd 1st-2nd BR_Outs Pct1st3rd CIN_1958 6 1 3 2 0 0.500 CIN_1959 48 1 24 22 1 0.500 CIN_1960 37 0 22 13 2 0.595 CIN_1961 35 0 24 11 0 0.686 CIN_1962 33 1 15 16 1 0.455 CIN_1963 22 0 14 7 1 0.636 CIN_1964 35 0 18 16 1 0.514 CIN_1965 40 0 14 25 1 0.350 CIN_1966 30 0 17 13 0 0.567 CIN_1967 34 0 18 16 0 0.529 CIN_1968 26 0 14 11 1 0.538 SLN_1969 34 0 14 20 0 0.412 CLE_1970 26 0 8 17 1 0.308 CLE_1971 20 0 6 14 0 0.300 CAL_1972 32 0 12 20 0 0.375 CAL_1973 19 0 9 10 0 0.474 KCA_1974 26 0 10 15 1 0.385 KCA_1975 12 0 7 5 0 0.583 Totals 515 3 249 253 10 0.483

Vada Pinson recorded at least 20 Win Shares in seven straight seasons (1959-1965). He topped the 200-hit mark four times, received two All-Star invitations and finished his career with more than 2700 base hits and 300 stolen bases. Pinson claimed a Gold Glove Award and placed third in the 1961 N.L. MVP balloting as he batted .343 with 16 jacks.

Luis Polonia 48.2% (134 successful first-to-third advances in 278 opps)

Team_Year 1B_BR_Opps 1st-Home 1st-3rd 1st-2nd BR_Outs Pct1st3rd OAK_1987 22 0 12 10 0 0.545 OAK_1988 15 2 9 3 1 0.600 OAK_1989 9 0 4 5 0 0.444 NYA_1989 17 0 10 7 0 0.588 NYA_1990 2 0 1 1 0 0.500 CAL_1990 27 0 13 13 1 0.481 CAL_1991 39 2 22 13 2 0.564 CAL_1992 37 0 18 17 2 0.486 CAL_1993 23 0 9 14 0 0.391 NYA_1994 24 0 8 14 2 0.333 NYA_1995 16 0 9 6 1 0.563 ATL_1995 4 0 0 4 0 0 ATL_1996 1 0 1 0 0 1.000 BAL_1996 11 0 4 6 1 0.364 DET_1999 11 0 5 6 0 0.455 DET_2000 17 0 7 9 1 0.412 NYA_2000 3 0 2 1 0 0.667 Totals 278 4 134 129 11 0.482

Graduating from 3+ years as a part-time outfielder for the Athletics and Yankees, Luis Polonia settled into the leadoff role for the Angels in 1990 and managed to swipe at least 48 bases per season (1991-93). On the other hand, he also led the American League in caught stealing in each of those campaigns. The .293 career hitter pilfered 321 bases in 12 seasons.

Jackie Brandt 48.2% (107 successful first-to-third advances in 222 opps)

Team_Year 1B_BR_Opps 1st-Home 1st-3rd 1st-2nd BR_Outs Pct1st3rd SLN_1956 3 0 0 3 0 0.000 NY1_1956 14 0 5 8 1 0.357 SFN_1958 2 0 1 1 0 0.500 SFN_1959 24 0 13 11 0 0.542 BAL_1960 33 0 21 11 1 0.636 BAL_1961 29 0 15 14 0 0.517 BAL_1962 27 1 13 13 0 0.481 BAL_1963 24 0 12 12 0 0.500 BAL_1964 34 0 12 22 0 0.353 BAL_1965 14 0 6 8 0 0.429 PHI_1966 8 0 4 4 0 0.500 PHI_1967 2 0 1 1 0 0.500 HOU_1967 8 0 4 4 0 0.500 Totals 222 1 107 112 2 0.482

Outfielder Jackie Brandt collected a Gold Glove Award for the San Francisco Giants as a left fielder. Two years later he received an invitation to play in the Mid-Summer Classic as a member of the Baltimore Orioles. Brandt accrued 20 Win Shares in ’61 and batted .297 with a personal-best 93 runs scored.

Al Dark 48.1% (210 successful first-to-third advances in 437 opps)

Team_Year 1B_BR_Opps 1st-Home 1st-3rd 1st-2nd BR_Outs Pct1st3rd BSN_1948 25 0 10 15 0 0.400 BSN_1949 31 0 16 15 0 0.516 NY1_1950 27 0 14 12 1 0.519 NY1_1951 40 0 25 14 1 0.625 NY1_1952 35 0 16 17 2 0.457 NY1_1953 54 0 29 21 4 0.537 NY1_1954 31 0 19 12 0 0.613 NY1_1955 28 0 10 18 0 0.357 NY1_1956 10 0 3 7 0 0.300 SLN_1956 23 0 12 9 2 0.522 SLN_1957 44 0 27 17 0 0.614 SLN_1958 4 0 1 3 0 0.250 CHN_1958 35 0 11 21 3 0.314 CHN_1959 28 0 11 16 1 0.393 PHI_1960 16 0 5 11 0 0.313 MLN_1960 6 0 1 5 0 0.167 Totals 437 0 210 213 14 0.481

“The Swamp Fox” scored at least 90 runs in four consecutive campaigns (1951-54). Al Dark (.322/3/48) rapped 39 doubles for the Boston Braves and secured the 1948 N.L. Rookie of the Year honors. Dark led the League with 41 two-base knocks in 1951 and established career-highs with 23 moon-shots, 88 ribbies and 194 hits two years later.

Roger Maris 48.0% (146 successful first-to-third advances in 304 opps)

Team_Year 1B_BR_Opps 1st-Home 1st-3rd 1st-2nd BR_Outs Pct1st3rd CLE_1957 25 1 7 17 0 0.280 CLE_1958 5 0 2 3 0 0.400 KC1_1958 21 0 12 9 0 0.571 KC1_1959 26 0 11 14 1 0.423 NYA_1960 30 0 15 15 0 0.500 NYA_1961 31 0 16 15 0 0.516 NYA_1962 31 0 22 8 1 0.710 NYA_1963 25 0 13 11 1 0.520 NYA_1964 31 1 14 15 1 0.452 NYA_1965 10 0 1 8 1 0.100 NYA_1966 22 0 9 12 1 0.409 SLN_1967 29 0 15 12 2 0.517 SLN_1968 18 1 9 8 0 0.500 Totals 304 3 146 147 8 0.480

The American League MVP in back-to-back seasons (1960-61) merited four consecutive All-Star nominations. Acquired by the Yankees prior to the 1960 campaign, Roger Maris belted 39 round-trippers and plated 112 baserunners in his first year as a member of the Bronx Bombers. In the following season, Maris battled teammate Mickey Mantle for the home run crown. He emerged with 61 circuit clouts amid controversy surrounding the single-season home run record. Maris’ record stood until 1998 when it was surpassed by Mark McGwire (70) and Sammy Sosa (66).

Dan Gladden 48.0% (133 successful first-to-third advances in 277 opps)

Team_Year 1B_BR_Opps 1st-Home 1st-3rd 1st-2nd BR_Outs Pct1st3rd SFN_1983 4 0 1 3 0 0.250 SFN_1984 27 0 17 10 0 0.630 SFN_1985 23 0 11 12 0 0.478 SFN_1986 19 0 14 5 0 0.737 MIN_1987 23 0 10 13 0 0.435 MIN_1988 34 0 16 18 0 0.471 MIN_1989 36 0 17 19 0 0.472 MIN_1990 23 0 11 12 0 0.478 MIN_1991 33 0 19 14 0 0.576 DET_1992 29 0 8 21 0 0.276 DET_1993 26 1 9 16 0 0.346 Totals 277 1 133 143 0 0.480

“Dazzle” delivered a .351 BA and stole 31 bases in 86 games during his inaugural season, placing fourth in the 1984 N.L. Rookie of the Year balloting. Gladden averaged 27 swipes per year (1984-1990) and scored a career-high 91 runs for the Minnesota Twins in 1988.

Top 100 Baserunners (Career), First to Third Percentage*

(minimum 150 opportunities)

Player 1st-3rd 1B_BR_Opps Pct1st3rd Dexter Fowler 112 193 0.580 Glenn Beckert 213 374 0.570 Dave Hollins 123 221 0.557 Willie Mays 332 612 0.542 Mike Trout 82 152 0.539 Chick Hafey 91 170 0.535 Red Kress 84 158 0.532 Pepper Martin 80 151 0.530 Ron LeFlore 109 207 0.527 Shawon Dunston 119 232 0.513 Kiki Cuyler 102 200 0.510 Chone Figgins 142 282 0.504 Carl Reynolds 81 162 0.500 Bobby Richardson 135 270 0.500 Thurman Munson 184 370 0.497 Babe Ruth 83 167 0.497 Julian Javier 167 339 0.493 Ed Morgan 73 150 0.487 Tony Kubek 121 249 0.486 Chuck Klein 144 297 0.485 Vada Pinson 249 515 0.483 Luis Polonia 134 278 0.482 Jackie Brandt 107 222 0.482 Al Dark 210 437 0.481 Roger Maris 146 304 0.480 Dan Gladden 133 277 0.480 Tom Tresh 116 243 0.477 Lonnie Smith 149 313 0.476 Ival Goodman 126 265 0.475 Curt Flood 208 438 0.475 Don Blasingame 178 375 0.475 Bruce Campbell 99 209 0.474 Jim Gilliam 244 516 0.473 Mookie Wilson 109 231 0.472 Elvis Andrus 111 238 0.466 Willie Davis 200 429 0.466 Willie McGee 188 405 0.464 Odell Hale 96 208 0.462 Al Kaline 290 629 0.461 Len Randle 94 207 0.454 Earle Combs 79 174 0.454 Bill Bruton 160 353 0.453 Rod Carew 311 687 0.453 Vic Davalillo 113 250 0.452 Lance Johnson 122 271 0.450 Alfredo Griffin 148 329 0.450 Robby Thompson 124 276 0.449 Dick McAuliffe 180 401 0.449 Todd Hollandsworth 78 174 0.448 Torii Hunter 195 435 0.448 Bobby Avila 137 306 0.448 Mike Cameron 150 336 0.446 Mike Kreevich 75 168 0.446 Luis Aparicio 233 522 0.446 Tommie Agee 91 204 0.446 Bill Terry 103 231 0.446 Ken Landreaux 96 216 0.444 Manny Mota 133 300 0.443 Jeffrey Hammonds 74 167 0.443 Floyd Robinson 109 246 0.443 Bobby Thomson 136 307 0.443 Gene Clines 73 165 0.442 Jackie Robinson 153 346 0.442 Roy White 224 508 0.441 Lyn Lary 104 236 0.441 Charlie Gehringer 115 261 0.441 Lou Gehrig 163 370 0.441 Bump Wills 81 184 0.440 Earl Averill 165 375 0.440 Tony Scott 66 150 0.440 Pat Sheridan 66 150 0.440 Enos Cabell 127 289 0.439 Peewee Reese 254 580 0.438 Gil Coan 77 176 0.438 Frank Robinson 294 672 0.438 Freddy Lindstrom 80 183 0.437 Red Rolfe 127 291 0.436 Bill Tuttle 137 314 0.436 Erick Aybar 92 211 0.436 Willie Crawford 109 250 0.436 Ken Boyer 203 466 0.436 Travis Fryman 145 333 0.435 John Stone 80 184 0.435 Zeke Bonura 79 182 0.434 Ripper Collins 79 182 0.434 Chase Utley 139 321 0.433 Gary DiSarcina 87 201 0.433 Don Demeter 77 178 0.433 Jesus Alou 96 222 0.432 Gee Walker 103 239 0.431 Harlond Clift 87 202 0.431 Jimmie Hall 65 151 0.430 Tom Goodwin 94 219 0.429 Lou Piniella 142 331 0.429 Dick Howser 75 175 0.429 Claudell Washington 140 327 0.428 Lew Riggs 68 159 0.428 Brian Jordan 110 258 0.426 Hughie Critz 65 153 0.425 Al Smith 155 365 0.425



First-to-Third Percentage (Career), Honorable Mention

(50-150 opportunities)



Top 100 Baserunners (Single-Season), First to Third Percentage*

(minimum 20 opportunities)

Player Team_Year 1st-3rd 1B_BR_Opps Pct1st3rd Willie Mays SFN_1963 24 30 0.800 Joe DiMaggio NYA_1936 16 21 0.762 Willie Davis LAN_1964 19 25 0.760 Ellis Burton CHN_1963 15 20 0.750 Don Landrum CHN_1965 15 20 0.750 Ty Cline SFN_1968 18 24 0.750 Lance Johnson CHA_1990 21 28 0.750 Kenny Lofton CLE_1993 26 35 0.743 Glenn Beckert CHN_1967 39 53 0.736 Hank Aaron MLN_1960 19 26 0.731 Chuck Klein PHI_1932 24 33 0.727 Augie Galan CHN_1935 24 33 0.727 Len Gabrielson SFN_1965 16 22 0.727 Pepper Martin SLN_1931 18 25 0.720 Willie Mays SFN_1970 18 25 0.720 Lenny Dykstra NYN_1988 15 21 0.714 Cristian Guzman MIN_2001 15 21 0.714 Denny Hocking MIN_2001 15 21 0.714 Roger Maris NYA_1962 22 31 0.710 Lyn Lary NYA_1930 17 24 0.708 Rod Carew CAL_1985 17 24 0.708 Leon Wagner LAA_1962 24 34 0.706 Billy Werber BOS_1934 14 20 0.700 Luis Aparicio BAL_1964 14 20 0.700 Robby Thompson SFN_1987 14 20 0.700 Adam Comorosky PIT_1930 23 33 0.697 Eric McNair PHA_1933 16 23 0.696 Don Demeter PHI_1963 16 23 0.696 Juan Beniquez TEX_1978 16 23 0.696 Gary DiSarcina ANA_1997 16 23 0.696 Willie Mays NY1_1954 20 29 0.690 Bobby Bonds SFN_1969 20 29 0.690 Dave Hollins PHI_1993 22 32 0.688 Vada Pinson CIN_1961 24 35 0.686 Reggie Smith BOS_1970 26 38 0.684 Roy White NYA_1970 28 41 0.683 Brendan Ryan SEA_2011 15 22 0.682 Willie Davis LAN_1969 17 25 0.680 Pete Rose CIN_1967 21 31 0.677 Curt Flood SLN_1969 27 40 0.675 Babe Ruth NYA_1932 24 36 0.667 Red Kress SLA_1938 14 21 0.667 Peewee Reese BRO_1951 34 51 0.667 Pat Kelly CHA_1972 14 21 0.667 Chet Lemon DET_1987 16 24 0.667 Ruben Sierra TEX_1987 18 27 0.667 Keith Miller NYN_1990 14 21 0.667 Dave Hollins ANA_1998 16 24 0.667 Chase Utley PHI_2011 14 21 0.667 Reggie Smith BOS_1971 23 35 0.657 Larry Walker COL_1997 23 35 0.657 Arky Vaughan PIT_1934 21 32 0.656 Jim Gilliam BRO_1955 21 32 0.656 Willie Mays SFN_1967 21 32 0.656 Jose Cardenal CHN_1972 21 32 0.656 Ron LeFlore DET_1975 21 32 0.656 Steve Sax LAN_1984 21 32 0.656 Rickey Henderson NYA_1985 21 32 0.656 Ival Goodman CIN_1935 19 29 0.655 Dexter Fowler COL_2013 19 29 0.655 Tommie Agee CHA_1967 17 26 0.654 Joe Foy BOS_1968 17 26 0.654 Xander Bogaerts BOS_2015 17 26 0.654 Chuck Hinton WS2_1963 15 23 0.652 Dexter Fowler HOU_2014 15 23 0.652 Tommy Harper CIN_1967 13 20 0.650 Donn Clendenon NYN_1970 13 20 0.650 R.J. Reynolds PIT_1987 13 20 0.650 Jim Gilliam BRO_1954 24 37 0.649 Jerry Adair BAL_1962 24 37 0.649 Julian Javier SLN_1963 20 31 0.645 Don Baylor NYA_1985 20 31 0.645 Devon White CAL_1989 20 31 0.645 Bruce Campbell SLA_1932 18 28 0.643 Don Blasingame SLN_1957 36 56 0.643 Paul Blair BAL_1969 18 28 0.643 Lenny Dykstra NYN_1987 18 28 0.643 Torii Hunter ANA_2008 18 28 0.643 Dexter Fowler COL_2012 18 28 0.643 Glenn Beckert CHN_1966 25 39 0.641 Al Wiggins SDN_1984 25 39 0.641 Ed Morgan BOS_1934 16 25 0.640 Mike Kreevich CHA_1939 16 25 0.640 Floyd Robinson CHA_1966 16 25 0.640 Mark McLemore CAL_1987 16 25 0.640 Billy Hatcher BOS_1993 16 25 0.640 Pat Meares MIN_1995 16 25 0.640 Minnie Minoso CLE_1959 23 36 0.639 Julian Javier SLN_1962 23 36 0.639 Sherm Lollar CHA_1958 14 22 0.636 Jackie Brandt BAL_1960 21 33 0.636 Vada Pinson CIN_1963 14 22 0.636 Glenn Beckert CHN_1968 28 44 0.636 Bob Bailor TOR_1980 14 22 0.636 Jeff Huson TEX_1990 14 22 0.636 Mike Cameron SDN_2006 14 22 0.636 Jason Heyward ATL_2011 14 22 0.636 Odell Hale CLE_1936 26 41 0.634 Pete Rose CIN_1966 26 41 0.634 Charlie Gehringer DET_1933 19 30 0.633 Alfonso Soriano NYA_2002 19 30 0.633

Station to Station

One would expect to find an abundance of catchers, first basemen and designated hitters on this list, so I will highlight several individuals that do not fit within those assumptions.

Hank Blalock was the primary third baseman for Texas from 2003-2009. He scored 107 runs and notched 23 Win Shares in his finest campaign (2004) when he swatted 32 big-flies and plated 110 baserunners for the Rangers. He pilfered a personal-best four bases in 2007 and registered 14 SB for his career.

Outfielder Cito Gaston accrued a career-high 92 runs in his lone All-Star season (1970). He slugged 29 round-trippers and collected 93 ribbies for the Padres while batting .318. Gaston’s 24 Win Shares in ’70 more than doubled his output from his next best year, 1973. He managed the Toronto Blue Jays to successive World Series championships in 1992-93.

Greg “The Bull” Luzinski mashed 307 career home runs and averaged 112 RBI in a four year span covering 1975-78. The two-time runner-up in the National League MVP balloting coaxed 100 walks in ’78 and clubbed 30+ home runs in a season four times, yet he never scored 100 runs in a single campaign. Luzinski’s 54% stolen base success rate provides further proof that the “Running of the Bulls” might be a misnomer.

Jason Kubel played 333 games as a designated hitter during his 10-year career, however he also logged over 600 games in the outfielder. Kubel thumped 30 circuit clouts for the Diamondbacks in 2012, but he supplied maximum production for Minnesota in ’09 with a .300 BA, 28 taters and 103 ribbies. He nabbed 5 of his 12 career stolen bases in 2005 and topped out at 75 runs scored (2012).

Ralph Kiner clubbed 369 four-baggers in his 10-year career and paced the Senior Circuit in home runs for seven straight seasons (1946-1952). He surpassed the century mark in runs scored six times including a League-leading 124 in ’51. 38% of his career runs are a direct result of trotting out rounding the bases after depositing one in the cheap seats. Kiner averaged two stolen bases per year.

David Ortiz entered the 500-home run club in 2015. “Big Papi” has averaged one stolen base per year since achieving full-time status in 2000. Similar to Kiner, 37.5% of the runs tallied by the “Cookie Monster” are the product of the long ball.

Worst 100 Baserunners (Career), First to Third Percentage*

(minimum 150 opportunities)

Player 1st-3rd 1B_BR_Opps Pct1st3rd Bengie Molina 19 248 0.077 Ryan Howard 27 281 0.096 Prince Fielder 38 384 0.099 Hank Blalock 18 175 0.103 Cito Gaston 18 161 0.112 Billy Butler 31 277 0.112 Earl Williams 20 175 0.114 Darrin Fletcher 19 165 0.115 Jason Varitek 38 311 0.122 Ed Bailey 28 219 0.128 Victor Martinez 49 380 0.129 Rod Barajas 20 152 0.132 Joe Ad**** 45 331 0.136 Mike Piazza 55 403 0.136 Greg Luzinski 53 387 0.137 Carlos Delgado 68 495 0.137 Jason Kubel 24 173 0.139 Paul Konerko 73 523 0.140 Gus Triandos 30 213 0.141 Cecil Fielder 39 274 0.142 Ralph Kiner 43 301 0.143 Brian McCann 36 251 0.143 Buster Posey 22 151 0.146 Mike Macfarlane 28 191 0.147 David Ortiz 69 466 0.148 Milt May 34 229 0.148 Rudy York 27 178 0.152 Willie Aikens 24 158 0.152 Adrian Gonzalez 55 359 0.153 Clay Dalrymple 25 161 0.155 Chris Davis 27 173 0.156 Mark McGwire 69 438 0.158 Jeff Reed 28 176 0.159 Jim Sundberg 61 382 0.160 Pablo Sandoval 35 218 0.161 Justin Morneau 44 272 0.162 Ty Wigginton 35 216 0.162 Mo Vaughn 54 333 0.162 Tony Clark 36 220 0.164 Darren Daulton 39 238 0.164 Dan Wilson 37 225 0.164 George McQuinn 34 206 0.165 Pedro Feliz 31 187 0.166 Miguel Montero 33 199 0.166 Frank Thomas 112 673 0.166 Bernie Carbo 34 204 0.167 Rick Cerone 39 234 0.167 Gus Mancuso 31 186 0.167 Luke Scott 25 150 0.167 Ron Coomer 27 161 0.168 Greg Myers 28 166 0.169 Del Rice 27 159 0.170 Ernie Lombardi 51 300 0.170 Jhonny Peralta 58 341 0.170 Yadier Molina 49 288 0.170 Fred McGriff 93 544 0.171 Nelson Cruz 33 192 0.172 Adam Dunn 69 400 0.173 Charles Johnson 30 173 0.173 Walker Cooper 31 178 0.174 Jim Gentile 36 205 0.176 Mike Stanley 54 307 0.176 Dave Magadan 50 284 0.176 Alvin Davis 46 261 0.176 John Mayberry 64 362 0.177 Ted Kluszewski 59 333 0.177 Ramon Hernandez 48 270 0.178 Jim Leyritz 31 174 0.178 Smoky Burgess 42 235 0.179 Adam LaRoche 54 302 0.179 Lee Handley 27 150 0.180 A.J. Pierzynski 64 354 0.181 Ferris Fain 56 309 0.181 Bruce Benedict 28 154 0.182 Mickey Owen 30 165 0.182 Carmelo Martinez 34 186 0.183 Johnny Edwards 39 213 0.183 Ted Williams 98 535 0.183 Andre Ethier 61 333 0.183 Walt Dropo 38 207 0.184 Eddie Robinson 48 261 0.184 Randy Hundley 30 163 0.184 Mike Lowell 51 277 0.184 John Mabry 28 152 0.184 Joe DeMaestri 33 179 0.184 Jody Davis 31 166 0.187 John Olerud 102 545 0.187 Gabe Kapler 29 154 0.188 J.T. Snow 77 405 0.190 Troy O’Leary 43 226 0.190 Jerry Grote 44 231 0.190 Jose Lopez 36 189 0.190 Willie Stargell 92 483 0.190 John Buck 29 152 0.191 Dave Valle 29 152 0.191 Ron Hassey 39 204 0.191 Mike Lamb 31 162 0.191 Aramis Ramirez 78 407 0.192 Mike Lieberthal 46 240 0.192 Dave Nilsson 29 151 0.192

First-to-Third Percentage (Career), Dishonorable Mention

(50-150 opportunities)

Player 1st-3rd 1B_BR_Opps Pct1st3rd Phil Niekro 3 58 0.052 Mike Jacobs 6 89 0.067 Ryan Garko 7 98 0.071 Mike LaValliere 10 139 0.072 Matt Adams 4 55 0.073 Jim Bunning 4 53 0.075 Brayan Pena 8 105 0.076 Al Libke 4 51 0.078 Devin Mesoraco 4 51 0.078 Jerry Reuss 4 51 0.078

Worst 100 Baserunners (Single-Season), First to Third Percentage*

(minimum 20 opportunities)

Player Team_Year 1st-3rd 1B_BR_Opps Pct1st3rd Mike Piazza LAN_1993 0 37 0.000 Carlos Delgado TOR_2001 0 36 0.000 Frank Thomas OAK_2006 0 34 0.000 Tino Martinez TBA_2004 0 32 0.000 Lance Berkman HOU_2005 0 32 0.000 Frank McCormick PHI_1946 0 27 0.000 Gus Triandos BAL_1960 0 27 0.000 Tony Oliva MIN_1975 0 27 0.000 Hank Blalock TEX_2005 0 27 0.000 Craig Reynolds SEA_1977 0 25 0.000 Phil Plantier SDN_1993 0 25 0.000 Starlin Castro CHN_2014 0 25 0.000 Ryan Howard PHI_2009 0 24 0.000 Chili Davis KCA_1997 0 23 0.000 Dave Chalk CAL_1974 0 22 0.000 Bengie Molina SFN_2009 0 22 0.000 Paul Waner BRO_1943 0 21 0.000 Butch Hobson CAL_1981 0 21 0.000 Cecil Fielder NYA_1997 0 21 0.000 David Segui TEX_2000 0 21 0.000 Bengie Molina SFN_2007 0 21 0.000 Nick Castellanos DET_2015 0 21 0.000 Alex Grammas SLN_1954 0 20 0.000 Rick Dempsey BAL_1977 0 20 0.000 Bengie Molina ANA_2004 0 20 0.000 Prince Fielder MIL_2010 1 62 0.016 Prince Fielder MIL_2009 1 45 0.022 Victor Martinez DET_2014 1 44 0.023 Mike Piazza LAN_1997 1 41 0.024 Willie Aikens KCA_1980 1 39 0.026 Justin Morneau MIN_2006 1 36 0.028 Dick Wakefield DET_1947 1 32 0.031 Ernie Lombardi CIN_1940 1 31 0.032 Billy Herman BRO_1941 1 31 0.032 Billy Butler KCA_2014 1 31 0.032 Orlando Cepeda BOS_1973 1 30 0.033 J.T. Snow SFN_2002 1 30 0.033 Bill Mueller BOS_2004 1 30 0.033 Raul Ibanez PHI_2011 1 30 0.033 Manny Trillo PHI_1982 1 29 0.034 Buster Posey SFN_2015 1 29 0.034 Mike Jacobs FLO_2006 1 28 0.036 Prince Fielder MIL_2007 1 28 0.036 Ryan Howard PHI_2014 1 28 0.036 Pete Coscarart BRO_1940 1 27 0.037 George Foster CIN_1981 1 27 0.037 Steve Balboni KCA_1985 1 27 0.037 Hank Blalock TEX_2003 1 27 0.037 Bob Lillis HOU_1962 1 26 0.038 Bill Madlock DET_1987 1 26 0.038 Frank Catalanotto TOR_2006 1 26 0.038 Mike Jacobs KCA_2009 1 26 0.038 Tony Lazzeri NYA_1937 1 25 0.040 Jimmie Foxx BOS_1941 1 25 0.040 Marty Marion SLN_1950 1 25 0.040 Sid Gordon PIT_1954 1 25 0.040 Gus Bell CIN_1958 1 25 0.040 Johnny Edwards CIN_1965 1 25 0.040 Cito Gaston SDN_1971 1 25 0.040 Greg Luzinski PHI_1972 1 25 0.040 Jason Thompson DET_1979 1 25 0.040 Craig Biggio HOU_2000 1 25 0.040 Greg Myers TOR_2003 1 25 0.040 Jack Hannahan OAK_2008 1 25 0.040 Billy Butler KCA_2011 1 25 0.040 Pablo Sandoval SFN_2012 1 25 0.040 Sherm Lollar CHA_1961 1 24 0.042 Jim Sundberg KCA_1986 1 24 0.042 Mike Greenwell BOS_1991 1 24 0.042 Dave Nilsson MIL_1999 1 24 0.042 Charles Johnson FLO_2001 1 24 0.042 Casey Kotchman CLE_2012 1 24 0.042 Chris Carter HOU_2014 1 24 0.042 David Ortiz BOS_2015 1 24 0.042 Myril Hoag NYA_1937 1 23 0.043 Milt May SFN_1982 1 23 0.043 Paul Sorrento TBA_1998 1 23 0.043 Mark McGwire SLN_2000 1 23 0.043 Jason Varitek BOS_2000 1 23 0.043 Johnny Estrada ATL_2004 1 23 0.043 Brian McCann NYA_2014 1 23 0.043 Dick Siebert PHA_1939 1 22 0.045 Andy Seminick PHI_1946 1 22 0.045 Cecil Travis WS1_1946 1 22 0.045 Bob Nieman CHA_1955 1 22 0.045 Gorman Thomas MIL_1978 1 22 0.045 Kirt Manwaring SFN_1993 1 22 0.045 Geoff Jenkins MIL_2003 1 22 0.045 Ronny Paulino PIT_2006 1 22 0.045 Jorge Cantu FLO_2008 1 22 0.045 Aramis Ramirez CHN_2009 1 22 0.045 Matt LaPorta CLE_2010 1 22 0.045 Brett Wallace HOU_2011 1 22 0.045 Jhonny Peralta DET_2012 1 22 0.045 A.J. Ellis LAN_2014 1 22 0.045

On Deck

Taking the Extra Base: The Teams

Further Reading

Dewan, John. Chase Utley: Best Baserunner in MLB. October 12, 2011.

Eastham, Cliff. Top 10 Base Runners in MLB Since 1954. August 12, 2009.

Lichtman, Mitchel. Ultimate Base Running Primer. May 24, 2011.

Neyer, Rob. MLB’s Best (And Worst) Baserunners. May 24, 2011.

Is Willie Wilson baseball’s best baserunner ever?. May 9, 2014.

References and Resources

Albert, Jim and Max Marchi. Analyzing Baseball Data with R. Boca Raton, FL.: CRC Press, 2014. Print.

Baseball-Reference

James, Bill. The Bill James Baseball Abstract 1984. New York, NY.: Ballantine Books, 1984. Print.

Retrosheet Event Files

The information used here was obtained free of charge from and is copyrighted by Retrosheet. Interested parties may contact Retrosheet at “www.retrosheet.org”.

SABR Baseball Biography Project

About the Author

I am a New Jersey native with a passion for baseball, statistics, computers and video games who enjoys spending quality time with his family.

My book “Hardball Retrospective” is available in digital format on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, GooglePlay, iTunes and KoboBooks. The paperback edition is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and CreateSpace. Supplemental Statistics, Charts and Graphs along with a discussion forum are offered at TuataraSoftware.com.

Don Daglow (Intellivision World Series Major League Baseball, Earl Weaver Baseball, Tony LaRussa Baseball) contributed the foreword for Hardball Retrospective. The foreword and preview of “Hardball Retrospective” are accessible here.