The Base Thieves Page!
T206 Ty Cobb (Bat off shoulder) 1962 Topps #367 Lou Brock RC
Oh what I would give for a fresh pair of legs- I can't even run 5 feet in softball without pulling some major muscle group. On this page we present
some of baseball's great base stealer's. A stolen base can change the game; you can advance to scoring position without having to sacrifice an
out, and a fast runner can score much more easily than say, one of the Giambi brothers. Here are some players with a need for speed!
some of baseball's great base stealer's. A stolen base can change the game; you can advance to scoring position without having to sacrifice an
out, and a fast runner can score much more easily than say, one of the Giambi brothers. Here are some players with a need for speed!
1980 Topps #482 Rickey Henderson RC
One of the premier lead-off men in baseball history, Rickey Henderson. Henderson will
soon be in the Hall of Fame, not only because of the 1,406 career stolen bases, but he is
also a member of the 3,000 hit club (3,055). Very impressive are his averages; if you were to
average Henderson's career (162 games) he would have averaged .279 with 121 runs, 161
hits (incl. 27 doubles and 16 home runs), 74 stolen bases, 115 bases on balls, and a .401 on
base %. That's pretty impressive. In his prime Rickey was a feared player and when he got on
base look out. I remember one playoffs (I think it was Oakland vs. Toronto) and Rickey just
went nuts on the bases. He just kept stealing bases. The Toronto catcher was beside himself.
The one thing that kind of hurt Rickey was that he was not shy about his accomplishments
and he did come off as kind of a punk. For instance, when he broke Lou Brock's stolen base
mark he declared himself "The Greatest." Unfortunately for Henderson, his record was
overshadowed by Nolan Ryan that same day when The Express threw his record 7th
no-hitter. Henderson's comments were disregarded as brash or cocky, but they were true. He
was and is the all-time leader in stolen bases. Muhammad Ali also declared he was "The
Greatest" and he backed it up. Rickey was the same. You don't have to like the person, but
you do have to respect what this player did on the field. This is Henderson's first baseball
card, from the 1980 Topps baseball set.
soon be in the Hall of Fame, not only because of the 1,406 career stolen bases, but he is
also a member of the 3,000 hit club (3,055). Very impressive are his averages; if you were to
average Henderson's career (162 games) he would have averaged .279 with 121 runs, 161
hits (incl. 27 doubles and 16 home runs), 74 stolen bases, 115 bases on balls, and a .401 on
base %. That's pretty impressive. In his prime Rickey was a feared player and when he got on
base look out. I remember one playoffs (I think it was Oakland vs. Toronto) and Rickey just
went nuts on the bases. He just kept stealing bases. The Toronto catcher was beside himself.
The one thing that kind of hurt Rickey was that he was not shy about his accomplishments
and he did come off as kind of a punk. For instance, when he broke Lou Brock's stolen base
mark he declared himself "The Greatest." Unfortunately for Henderson, his record was
overshadowed by Nolan Ryan that same day when The Express threw his record 7th
no-hitter. Henderson's comments were disregarded as brash or cocky, but they were true. He
was and is the all-time leader in stolen bases. Muhammad Ali also declared he was "The
Greatest" and he backed it up. Rickey was the same. You don't have to like the person, but
you do have to respect what this player did on the field. This is Henderson's first baseball
card, from the 1980 Topps baseball set.
1976 Topps #10 Lou Brock
1975 O-Pee-Chee # Herb Washington
1972 Topps #50 Willie Mays In Action
1963 Fleer #43 Maury Wills
1956 Topps #292 Luis Aparicio RC
Lou Brock was the first modern player to break Ty Cobb's all-time
stolen base mark of 892. Brock stole 938 in his career and is also a
member of the 3,000 hit club. Brock was originally with the Chicago
Cubs, was traded to the Cardinals for Ernie Broglio and went on to
become a Hall of Famer. Brock played his entire career with St. Louis
and was an important part of their championship teams in 1965 &
1967. In the 1965 World Series, he batted .300 with 9 hits, 2 doubles,
1 HR, 2 runs, and 5 RBIs. In 1967 Brock led the Cards in that Series
with a .414 batting average, 12 hits, 2 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 8 runs,
and 3 batted in. He also stole 7 bases. Brock had an even BETTER
World Series in 1968 when he batted .464 with 13 hits, 3 doubles, 1
triple, 2 HRs, 6 runs, and 5 RBIs. Again he stole 7 bases in that
series, but the Cards lost to the Tigers in 7 games. Brock was at the
game where Henderson broke his stolen base record and was a class
act. This 1976 Topps baseball card depicts Brock about to take off in
flight.
stolen base mark of 892. Brock stole 938 in his career and is also a
member of the 3,000 hit club. Brock was originally with the Chicago
Cubs, was traded to the Cardinals for Ernie Broglio and went on to
become a Hall of Famer. Brock played his entire career with St. Louis
and was an important part of their championship teams in 1965 &
1967. In the 1965 World Series, he batted .300 with 9 hits, 2 doubles,
1 HR, 2 runs, and 5 RBIs. In 1967 Brock led the Cards in that Series
with a .414 batting average, 12 hits, 2 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 8 runs,
and 3 batted in. He also stole 7 bases. Brock had an even BETTER
World Series in 1968 when he batted .464 with 13 hits, 3 doubles, 1
triple, 2 HRs, 6 runs, and 5 RBIs. Again he stole 7 bases in that
series, but the Cards lost to the Tigers in 7 games. Brock was at the
game where Henderson broke his stolen base record and was a class
act. This 1976 Topps baseball card depicts Brock about to take off in
flight.
This is the ONLY baseball card to feature a "Pinch Runner." Herb
Washington was hired by Oakland A's owner Charles Finley to be a
designated runner, period. In 1974 Washington appeared in 91 games
without a plate appearance. He scored 29 runs and stole 28 bases. However
the gamble backfired on Finley. In the 1974 World Series, Washington, on
again as a pinch runner, was picked off in the 9th inning. He only appeared in
13 games in 1975, scoring 4 and stealing 2. But Herb Washington is forever
immortalized as a "pinch runner" on this 1975 classic baseball card.
Washington was hired by Oakland A's owner Charles Finley to be a
designated runner, period. In 1974 Washington appeared in 91 games
without a plate appearance. He scored 29 runs and stole 28 bases. However
the gamble backfired on Finley. In the 1974 World Series, Washington, on
again as a pinch runner, was picked off in the 9th inning. He only appeared in
13 games in 1975, scoring 4 and stealing 2. But Herb Washington is forever
immortalized as a "pinch runner" on this 1975 classic baseball card.
One of the few players who could do it all (hit, field, throw, run), Willie Mays
was no slouch when it came to stealing bases. Mays led the National League
in stolen bases 4 consecutive years (1956-59), with a high of 40 in 1956. In his
career, Mays stole 338 bases and could have stolen much more if not for 660
home runs. Mays probably figured "hey I won't have to run so hard if I just put
the ball over the fence." And more often than not, he did. This is a cool action
shot of Mays sliding into what appears to be third base. He would have been
40 years old when this picture was taken. This card is the last card of "The
Say Hey Kid" pictured in a Giants uniform. Mays is pictured on his last card
(1973 Topps #305) as a New York Met.
was no slouch when it came to stealing bases. Mays led the National League
in stolen bases 4 consecutive years (1956-59), with a high of 40 in 1956. In his
career, Mays stole 338 bases and could have stolen much more if not for 660
home runs. Mays probably figured "hey I won't have to run so hard if I just put
the ball over the fence." And more often than not, he did. This is a cool action
shot of Mays sliding into what appears to be third base. He would have been
40 years old when this picture was taken. This card is the last card of "The
Say Hey Kid" pictured in a Giants uniform. Mays is pictured on his last card
(1973 Topps #305) as a New York Met.
How good was Maury Wills? Well in 1962, fellow Dodger Tommy Davis won
the NL Batting Title (.346), led the NL in hits (230), RBIs (153) AND walloped
27 home runs for good measure. Yet Davis did NOT win the NL MVP award.
That award was given to Maury Wills. Wills broke Ty Cobb's 1915 stolen base
mark of 96. He stole 104 bases in '62, batted a respectable .299 with 208 hits,
10 triples (led NL), and 130 runs. At the time of his retirement, Wills was 10th
All-Time is stolen bases with 586. Keep in mind he only played 14 seasons.
Wills started his major league career with the Dodgers in 1959 but did not
appear on a Topps baseball card until 1967 (1967 Topps #570). The reason
was because Topps left Wills off their list when he was in the minor leagues
and Wills didn't forget it. He didn't sign a Topps contract until 1967. So if you
want an early Maury Wills card, you either have to get a Bell Brand Los
Angeles Dodgers, Post cereal, Jell-O, or this 1963 Fleer baseball card; one of
the few major baseball issues while Topps had a monopoly on the baseball
card market.
the NL Batting Title (.346), led the NL in hits (230), RBIs (153) AND walloped
27 home runs for good measure. Yet Davis did NOT win the NL MVP award.
That award was given to Maury Wills. Wills broke Ty Cobb's 1915 stolen base
mark of 96. He stole 104 bases in '62, batted a respectable .299 with 208 hits,
10 triples (led NL), and 130 runs. At the time of his retirement, Wills was 10th
All-Time is stolen bases with 586. Keep in mind he only played 14 seasons.
Wills started his major league career with the Dodgers in 1959 but did not
appear on a Topps baseball card until 1967 (1967 Topps #570). The reason
was because Topps left Wills off their list when he was in the minor leagues
and Wills didn't forget it. He didn't sign a Topps contract until 1967. So if you
want an early Maury Wills card, you either have to get a Bell Brand Los
Angeles Dodgers, Post cereal, Jell-O, or this 1963 Fleer baseball card; one of
the few major baseball issues while Topps had a monopoly on the baseball
card market.
Venezuelan born Luis Ernesto Aparicio ("Little Looie") played in the big leagues from 1956 to 1973, mostly with the Chicago White Sox. A consistent .262
hitter throughout his career, Aparicio had nearly 2,700 lifetime hits (2,677). He was also a crafty base stealer, leading the American League during his first 9
seasons! 4 times he stole over 50 bases, including a career high 57 in 1964. Aparicio finished his career with 506 steals, modest by today's standards but
keep in mind Aparicio played in an era where stolen bases were just not that prevalent. Luis Aparicio was elected to Baseball's Hall of Fame in 1984 and
deservedly so. This is his rookie card from the 1956 Topps set.
hitter throughout his career, Aparicio had nearly 2,700 lifetime hits (2,677). He was also a crafty base stealer, leading the American League during his first 9
seasons! 4 times he stole over 50 bases, including a career high 57 in 1964. Aparicio finished his career with 506 steals, modest by today's standards but
keep in mind Aparicio played in an era where stolen bases were just not that prevalent. Luis Aparicio was elected to Baseball's Hall of Fame in 1984 and
deservedly so. This is his rookie card from the 1956 Topps set.
1973 Kellogg's # Cesar Cedeno
A guy you don't hear much about was Cesar Cedeno (born Cesar Cedeno y Encarnacion), who
played from 1970-1986, mostly with the Houston Astros. Cedeno could do it all, hit for average
(hit .320 in back-to-back seasons, 1972-73), hit for some power (22, 25, 26 HRs from 1972-74),
and run. From 1971 to 1980, he stole no less than 20 bases, and during one stretch stole 50 or
more bases in six consecutive seasons (including a career high 61 in 1977). Not a Hall of Famer,
but a very good player nonetheless and early in his career he was thought to be the next coming
of the great Willie Mays. Not very fair, but Cedeno had a very nice career despite coming up
about 460 HRs short of the great Mays (Cedeno hit 199 career dingers compared to Mays' 660).
Cedeno hit .285 lifetime with 2,087 hits, 976 RBIs, and 550 stolen bases. Another terrific player
from the Dominican Republic.
Kellogg's cereal issued baseball cards from 1970 up through the 1980's. Most of the time they
are called "3-D" cards but in 1973 Kellogg's chose to produce regular style cards. It was the only
year they did so, so I guess they were just not as popular as the 3-D cards. This translates to
bargains for card collectors. Major Hall of Famers and stars from this set can be had for a few
bucks each and you can still find them in high grade.
played from 1970-1986, mostly with the Houston Astros. Cedeno could do it all, hit for average
(hit .320 in back-to-back seasons, 1972-73), hit for some power (22, 25, 26 HRs from 1972-74),
and run. From 1971 to 1980, he stole no less than 20 bases, and during one stretch stole 50 or
more bases in six consecutive seasons (including a career high 61 in 1977). Not a Hall of Famer,
but a very good player nonetheless and early in his career he was thought to be the next coming
of the great Willie Mays. Not very fair, but Cedeno had a very nice career despite coming up
about 460 HRs short of the great Mays (Cedeno hit 199 career dingers compared to Mays' 660).
Cedeno hit .285 lifetime with 2,087 hits, 976 RBIs, and 550 stolen bases. Another terrific player
from the Dominican Republic.
Kellogg's cereal issued baseball cards from 1970 up through the 1980's. Most of the time they
are called "3-D" cards but in 1973 Kellogg's chose to produce regular style cards. It was the only
year they did so, so I guess they were just not as popular as the 3-D cards. This translates to
bargains for card collectors. Major Hall of Famers and stars from this set can be had for a few
bucks each and you can still find them in high grade.
1976 O-Pee-Chee #4 Dave Lopes RB
Another prolific base stealer you don't hear much about (unless you are a Dodger
fan) is Dave "Davey" Lopes. Lopes was part of that great Dodger infield of the
1970's (Garvey, Lopes, Russell, Cey) and was the spark plug of that team. Lopes
stole 557 career bases, including leading the National League in thefts in both 1975
(77) and 1976 (63). He was third all-time in World Series stolen bases but that record
may or may not have been broken. He stole 10 bases in 4 World Series (1974, 1977,
1978, 1981). Last season (2006) I saw Lopes coaching first base for the Washington
Nationals (I think it was). Good to see him at Dodger Stadium, but wrong uniform!
The Dodgers should have retained him in some capacity. But keep in mind they had
another great base stealer, Maury Wills, who still works with the Dodgers and helps
develop base stealing skills with new players. One of Wills' pupils was Dave Roberts
who stole a crucial base for the Boston Red Sox in the 2004 A.L. Championship
Game vs. the New York Yankees. That stolen base ignited the Bosox and they went
on to come from behind, beat the hated Yankees, and go on to the World Series
(which of course they won). Anyway, back to Lopes. I can't remember a steadier
second baseman that the Dodgers have had since, and they have had quite a few
since Lopes left the Dodgers after the 1981 season. This 1976 O-Pee-Chee (Topps
counterpart in Canada) card features Lopes 38 consecutive stolen bases in 1975.
fan) is Dave "Davey" Lopes. Lopes was part of that great Dodger infield of the
1970's (Garvey, Lopes, Russell, Cey) and was the spark plug of that team. Lopes
stole 557 career bases, including leading the National League in thefts in both 1975
(77) and 1976 (63). He was third all-time in World Series stolen bases but that record
may or may not have been broken. He stole 10 bases in 4 World Series (1974, 1977,
1978, 1981). Last season (2006) I saw Lopes coaching first base for the Washington
Nationals (I think it was). Good to see him at Dodger Stadium, but wrong uniform!
The Dodgers should have retained him in some capacity. But keep in mind they had
another great base stealer, Maury Wills, who still works with the Dodgers and helps
develop base stealing skills with new players. One of Wills' pupils was Dave Roberts
who stole a crucial base for the Boston Red Sox in the 2004 A.L. Championship
Game vs. the New York Yankees. That stolen base ignited the Bosox and they went
on to come from behind, beat the hated Yankees, and go on to the World Series
(which of course they won). Anyway, back to Lopes. I can't remember a steadier
second baseman that the Dodgers have had since, and they have had quite a few
since Lopes left the Dodgers after the 1981 season. This 1976 O-Pee-Chee (Topps
counterpart in Canada) card features Lopes 38 consecutive stolen bases in 1975.
