Which MLB players have the most career stolen bases?

I really feel like most baseball followers may in all probability have advised you that Rickey Henderson is the all-time stolen base king, nevertheless it’s wonderful simply how far away from the remainder of the sphere he actually is. Henderson stole 468 extra bases than second-place Lou Brock, and it is protected to say his file will virtually definitely by no means be damaged. The outfielder performed for 9 completely different groups throughout his 25 seasons within the main leagues, and he extremely led the league in thefts twelve instances. Along with being the all-time stolen base chief, he is additionally been thrown out making an attempt to steal greater than anybody. Clearly he was profitable extra typically that not, and constantly placing himself in scoring place is the main issue for why he additionally holds the file for many runs scored. 

Previous to Henderson bursting onto the scene and stealing his thunder, longtime Cardinals outfielder Lou Brock was thought of the usual for velocity and base-stealing capability. The El Dorado, AR native performed in additional than 2,600 main league video games and registered 938 stolen bases. He stole greater than 40 luggage in a marketing campaign 13 instances, and led the league within the class in eight out of 9 seasons from ’66-’74. 

If you first learn the identify Billy Hamilton you in all probability first considered the speedy outfielder who not way back was one of many extra feared stolen-base artists within the sport. However your subsequent thought was probably one thing alongside the strains of, ‘Was he actually round lengthy sufficient to steal over 900 bases?’ The reply to that’s no. There was an outfielder with the identical identify who debuted all the best way again in 1888, whose stolen-base prowess was merely second to none. This Hamilton stole a ridiculous 914 luggage in solely 14 seasons, main the league in thefts 5 instances and stealing greater than 100 bases in 4 completely different campaigns. 

Tigers legend Ty Cobb stays arguably the very best pure hitter in baseball historical past, and the issue for opposing pitchers was if he singled towards you, he was typically on second base in a matter of moments. Cobb understandably will get a ton of consideration even now for his remarkably excessive .366 profession batting common and the 12 batting titles he gained, however let’s speak about what a menace he was after reaching base. He swiped greater than 50 bases in a season 9 instances and led the league within the class on six completely different events. His constant bat and blazing velocity helped contribute to him main the league in runs scored 5 separate instances. 

Change-hitter Tim Raines performed for a handful of huge league groups, however he did his greatest work with the Montreal Expos, with whom he starred for 13 seasons. In Montreal, Raines was a perennial all-star and MVP candidate, and it is the place he turned one of many premier stolen-base threats within the Nationwide League. The Sanford, FL native led the league in steals for 4 consecutive seasons from ’81-’84, and he really stole 70 or extra bases in six straight years. Raines was inducted into the Corridor of Fame in 2017 and he stays one among solely 5 gamers to steal greater than 800 bases on the sport’s highest degree. 

Enjoying in the identical period because the aforementioned Tim Raines, fellow switch-hitter Vince Coleman was in all probability the one stolen-base artist extra feared by opposing Nationwide League golf equipment. Enjoying for St. Louis, Coleman led the league in steals in every of his first six main league seasons, and he extremely swiped 107 or extra luggage in every of his first three campaigns. The Jacksonville, FL native was not practically the all-around hitter or participant that a few of his friends had been, and he did not have fairly the identical endurance as he solely performed for 13 years. However at his peak there was not a greater base-stealer in baseball. 

Arlie Latham is one other participant on this record who did the majority of his work within the 1800s, debuting in 1880 and later occurring to develop into a cornerstone participant for each the St. Louis Browns and Cincinnati Reds. Latham was not essentially the most feared hitter, slashing a lifetime .269/.334/.341 with solely 357 extra-base hits, however he was constantly a terror on the basepaths. In 17 seasons, he swiped 742 luggage, and he racked up 238 of them in a two-year span in 1887 and 1888. 

Second baseman Eddie Collins is a Corridor of Famer we have talked about in a number of galleries, and he is somebody whose resume appears to get extra spectacular every time you take a look at it. Collins had a hand in six World Sequence championships, gained an MVP award, and slashed a lifetime .333/.424/.429. Most related to this dialogue, he additionally swiped 741 bases, and led the league within the class 4 instances. 

Change-hitting outfielder Max Carey spent the overwhelming majority of his profession in Pittsburgh with the Pirates, debuting in 1910 and carrying the black and yellow for 17 years earlier than ending his profession in Brooklyn. All advised, Carey slashed a formidable .285/.361/.386, and whereas he did not hit for a substantial amount of energy, he did get pleasure from wrecking havoc on the bases. Carey led the league in steals 10 instances, and stole greater than 50 bases in a season on six completely different events. He was voted into Cooperstown by the Veteran’s Committee in 1961. 

From one Corridor of Fame Pirates participant to a different, let’s speak about shortstop Honus Wagner. At his peak, there was not a greater all-around baseball participant within the sport than the Chartiers, PA-born Wagner, who gained an impressive eight batting titles and slashed a lifetime .328/.391/.467. Persistently hitting his method on base gave him ample alternatives to steal bases, one thing Wagner was additionally extremely adept at. He led the league in steals in 5 completely different campaigns, and he swiped greater than 40 in a season eight instances. 

Joe Morgan is taken into account by some pundits to be the very best second baseman in historical past, and it is easy to see why. In 22 main league seasons, he slashed a superb .271/.392/.427 with 813 extra-base hits and 1,133 RBI. He gained two MVP awards, two World Sequence rings and 5 Gold Gloves, and most pertinent to this gallery, was one of many best base-stealers of his technology. Morgan by no means led the league in stolen bases, however constantly swiped 40 or extra in a season, surpassing that spherical quantity in 9 consecutive campaigns from ’69-’77. 

Change-hitter Willie Wilson was a core contributor in Kansas Metropolis for a decade and a half earlier than ending his profession in Oakland and Chicago, however wherever he referred to as residence, his elite velocity was an asset. By no means a lot of a house run menace, Wilson made his residing each enjoying large outfield protection at a premium place and stealing bases. He swiped greater than 40 luggage in a season seven instances and led the majors with 83 steals in 1979. 

Outfielder Tom Brown was born throughout the pond in Liverpool, however for 17 seasons he competed on the highest degree of Main League Baseball. The small-statured Brown debuted in 1882 and performed till 1898, bouncing between 9 organizations. In a wild little bit of context, his time within the sport precedes once they even saved stolen bases as a statistic, so his actual complete is probably going considerably larger than the 658 on file. What we do know is that he swiped greater than 40 in a season eight completely different instances, and led the league in stolen bases twice. 

Shortstop Bert Campaneris was in all probability the premier stolen-base artist within the American League through the Sixties, as he terrorized opposing pitchers and catchers whereas with the Athletics early in his profession. In complete, Campaneris suited up for 4 completely different main league golf equipment and performed in additional than 2,300 video games on the sport’s highest degree. He did not present a lot extra-base energy, as evidenced by his lifetime .342 slugging proportion, however he led the league in stolen bases six instances, and earned three World Sequence rings. 

Speedy outfielder Kenny Lofton really suited up for eleven groups throughout his 17-year profession, although the overwhelming majority of his motion got here with the Indians. In Cleveland through the early Nineties Lofton was a star, main the league in steals in his first 5 seasons, swiping properly over 50 luggage in every marketing campaign. Later in his profession his velocity diminished just a bit, however he was all the time an astute baserunner who understood when he may sneak a base. 

Change-hitting heart fielder Otis Nixon bounced across the large leagues for 17 years, although he was a a lot better participant than you’d anticipate from a typical journeyman. In 1,709 profession main league contests, Nixon slashed .270/.343/.314, and whereas he had little or no energy, he made his mark along with his legs. The Evergreen, NC native swiped greater than 35 bases in 12 completely different seasons, constantly making him an essential contributor for his membership. 

Corridor of Fame swap hitter George Davis was an integral ingredient for the Cleveland Spiders, New York Giants and Chicago White Sox throughout his 20 years within the main leagues, and for almost all of his profession was one of many extra full gamers within the sport. In 2,372 video games, Davis slashed .295/.362/.405 with 689 extra-base hits and 1,440 RBI. He gained a World Sequence ring with the White Sox in 1906, and whereas he by no means led the league in stolen bases, his consistency within the class helped him compile 619 thefts earlier than his enjoying days had been over. 

Scrappy outfielder Juan Pierre was the epitome of a participant who was in a position to make a huge effect on video games with out nearly any energy. He had wonderful bat-to-ball abilities and will constantly get on base, and as soon as he reached first base you might virtually pencil him into scoring place. Pierre stole greater than 30 bases in eleven completely different seasons, and led the league in steals three completely different instances. His capability to be a continuing pest for the opposition contributed closely in direction of the Marlins’ run to a World Sequence title in 2003. 

Outfielder Billy Hoy made his main league debut all the best way again in 1888, and went on to seem in 1,797 video games throughout 14 seasons. Hoy didn’t possess a lot energy, and solely has 40 residence runs on his skilled ledger, however he did have difference-making velocity. As a rookie he stole a league-high 82 bases, and he would go on to swipe 50 or extra in an extra 4 campaigns. 

Shortstop Maury Wills didn’t have the longevity to catapult his identify larger on this record, however he was with out query one of many best base stealers we have ever seen. Enjoying predominantly for the Dodgers, Wills was a nightmare for opposing pitchers and catchers to cope with. He stole 40 or extra bases in seven completely different seasons, and led the league in thefts for six consecutive years from ’60-’65. 

Left-handed swinging George Van Haltren performed for 5 main league groups in his 17-year profession, most notably the New York Giants, whom he starred for for a lot of the Eighteen Nineties. Van Haltren was not thought of a lot of an influence hitter however was in a position to constantly impression video games along with his legs. The St. Louis, MO native swiped greater than 40 bases six instances, and led the league in stolen bases in 1900. 

Shortstop Ozzie Smith is most identified for being the defensive commonplace at an important place on the diamond. His 13 Gold Gloves are the first cause he was chosen to fifteen All-Star Video games and is now within the Corridor of Fame. Whereas Smith wasn’t essentially a dangerously potent hitter, he did possess a selected skillset that translated from the defensive facet of the ball: elite velocity. Smith stole 30 or extra bases in 11 completely different campaigns, and compiled an eye-opening 580 steals throughout his profession. 

Corridor of Fame outfielder Hugh Duffy is yet one more participant on this record who made his debut within the 1800s, as he first reached the large leagues with the Cubs in 1888 and went on to play 17 seasons on the sport’s highest degree. In 1,737 profession video games, Duffy slashed .326/.386/.451 with 550 extra-base hits, 1,302 RBI, and most related to this gallery, 574 stolen bases. 

Messina, NY born Bid McPhee performed for the Cincinnati Reds for 18 seasons, and in a lot of these campaigns was the membership’s premier attraction. He slashed .272/.355/.373 in 2,138 profession video games, whereas enjoying a superb defensive second base. McPhee was not a lot of an influence menace — only a few gamers in his period had been — however was constantly in a position to be an asset for the Reds. On the basepaths he swiped 568 luggage, a quantity that genuinely is way larger, as for the primary 4 years of his profession stolen bases weren’t even a tabulated statistic. 

Speedy heart fielder Brett Butler suited up for 5 completely different golf equipment throughout his 17 seasons in Main League Baseball, and was a productive contributor for all of them. Whereas Butler’s lifetime .290/.377/.376 slash line is greater than acceptable, his game-changing velocity was his strongest asset. The Arizona State College product stole greater than 30 bases in a season 12 instances, and even led the league in triples on 4 separate events. 

Even now, roughly 35 years since he retired, Davey Lopes remains to be famend as one of many best baserunners in our sport’s historical past, and for good cause. The four-time all-star slashed .263/.349/.388 in 16 seasons, and whereas he did contribute 437 extra-base hits, his legs had been undoubtedly his best attribute. Lopes stole greater than 40 bases in a season six instances, and led the league in thefts in each 1975 and 1976. 

Bubbly, energetic Cesar Cedeno didn’t play practically so long as a few of the different gamers on this record, however within the 2,006 large league video games he did take part in he definitely left his mark. The Dominican Republic native slashed a lifetime .285/.347/.443 with 695 extra-base hits and 976 RBI. He was additionally simply one of many sport’s most gifted stolen-base threats for primarily the whole lot of his profession. Cedeno swiped greater than 50 luggage in six consecutive seasons from ’72-’77 and completed his enjoying days with a formidable 550 thefts. 

Infielder Invoice Dahlen first appeared in a serious league sport in a Chicago Cubs uniform all the best way again in 1891, and the Nelliston, NY native would go on to spend the following 21 years of his life competing at baseball’s highest degree. Dahlen performed for 4 completely different organizations and took part in over 2,400 large league contests, slashing .272/.358/.382. Whereas he wasn’t a big energy menace, he wrecked havoc on the bases, swiping 548 luggage. He was a mannequin of consistency stealing bases, as he was in a position to accumulate such a excessive profession complete regardless of registering greater than 50 steals solely twice. 

There have been loads of gifted two-way gamers lengthy earlier than Shohei Ohtani, together with John Ward, who performed infield and pitched for 4 completely different groups from 1878-1894. Ward was a distinction maker on the mound, pitching to a 2.10 profession ERA in 293 outings. Offensively, he was no slouch both, slashing a lifetime .275/.314/.341, albeit with little or no energy. His main offensive worth was supplied along with his legs, which he used to guide the league in stolen bases twice — together with his eye-opening 111 thefts in 1887. 

Left-handed swinging shortstop Herman Lengthy performed 16 seasons in Main League Baseball, and like so most of the gamers on this record, his most prolific attribute was his velocity. The Chicago, IL native did produce 530 extra-base hits throughout his profession, however his proficiency on the basepaths gave his opponents extra anxiousness than his bat. Lengthy swiped 537 profession bases, and reached 35 or extra in a season on seven completely different events. 

Irish-born outfielder Patsy Donovan performed in 1,824 main league video games — the bulk coming with the Pittsburgh Pirates — and for elements of 17 seasons he was a productive piece on some fairly good groups. Donovan slashed a lifetime .301/.348/.355, and was one of many more proficient bat-to-ball hitters of his period. On the bases he was a menace, swiping greater than 30 luggage in a season 9 instances — together with his league-high 45 thefts in 1900. 

Just like the beforehand talked about Patsy Donovan, Jack Doyle was initially born in Eire earlier than coming to the USA and enjoying Main League Baseball. Doyle was a flexible participant, enjoying first base, outfield, and even some catcher, whereas offering constant offensive worth to all 10 of the groups he performed with. Doyle slashed a lifetime .299/.351/.385, and most related to this dialog, stole 518 bases in his 1,569 profession video games. 

Early in his profession, switch-hitting shortstop Jose Reyes was the premier base stealer within the Nationwide League, and somebody who traumatized opposing crew’s batteries. Reyes led the league in steals in three consecutive campaigns from ’05-’07 and swiped greater than 30 luggage in a season eight instances. He additionally used his legs to tempo the league in triples 4 separate instances. 

Stealing bases isn’t what gained Barry Bonds seven Nationwide League MVP awards, however folks are likely to neglect that early in his profession his velocity was an enormous a part of his all-around sport. The left-handed slugger stole greater than 28 bases in a season twelve instances and is one among solely a handful of gamers to show in a 40/40 marketing campaign. Clearly in his mid-to-late 30’s Bonds morphed into an unstoppable energy machine — albeit with somewhat little bit of assist — however in his early days he was an elite bodily expertise that would do issues on a baseball subject that just about no one else may. 

Left fielder Fred Clarke performed within the large leagues for greater than 20 years within the late 1800s and early 1900s, and was a essential piece for each the Louisville Colonels and the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 2,246 profession video games, Clarke slashed a lifetime .312/.386/.429 with 67 homers, 1,015 RBI, 361 doubles, 220 triples, and most pertinent to this dialogue, 509 stolen bases. He swiped greater than 30 bases in a season seven instances, and was voted into the Corridor of Fame by the Outdated Timers Committee in 1945. 

Proper-handed swinging Harry Stovey grew up in Philadelphia, PA, and it needed to be a thrill for him to spend seven of his 14 main league seasons along with his hometown Philadelphia Athletics. In 1,489 profession video games on the sport’s highest degree, Stovey slashed .288/.361/.462 with 646 extra-base hits and 912 RBI. He additionally led the league in steals twice on his option to 509 official stolen bases — although his precise quantity is undoubtedly considerably larger. That is as a result of (as beforehand talked about) they weren’t even counting steals as an official statistic for the primary six seasons of his profession. 

Ichiro Suzuki is one other participant on this record who stole much more bases in his profession than the quantity listed above, however for a a lot completely different cause than the aforementioned Harry Stovey. Correct file preserving was no problem throughout Suzuki’s profession, however he did not come over from Japan till his age-27 season, so should you think about his NPB-league stolen bases he clearly could be a lot, a lot larger on this record. As it’s, he led the league with 56 steals as a ‘rookie’, and went on to swipe greater than 30 in a season 10 instances. 

Shortstop Luis Aparicio spent 18 seasons within the large leagues and compiled fairly a formidable resume. He was the 1956 AL Rookie of the Yr, gained 9 Gold Gloves, made 13 all-star groups, and was a member of the World Sequence-winning 1966 Baltimore Orioles. He was additionally the premier base-stealer within the American League through the first half of his profession. Aparicio led the AL in steals in every of his first 9 seasons, and swiped greater than 50 bases in a single marketing campaign 4 instances. His velocity diminished a bit as he bought older, however he is nonetheless one among solely 39 gamers to steal greater than 500 bases within the majors. 

Corridor of Famer Paul Molitor was one among baseball’s most full gamers through the Eighties and Nineties, and somebody opposing pitchers routinely had nightmares about coping with. In 21 profession seasons, Molitor slashed .306/.369/.448 with 953 extra-base hits and 1,307 RBI. Along with being a big menace with a bat in his arms, Molitor was additionally extremely harmful on the basepaths. He swiped greater than 30 bases in a season eight instances, and comparatively sneakily completed his profession with 504 thefts.