How Many Baseball Players Have Stolen Home?

A great blog post discussing how many baseball players have stolen home.

Introduction

In baseball, stealing home plate is one of the most exciting and boldest plays. It’s also one of the most difficult, as the runner has to time his/her dash perfectly in order to avoid being tagged out. So, how many players have actually succeeded in stealing home?

According to research by baseball writer Michael Haupert, as of the end of the 2018 season, there have been a total of 775 stolen bases of home plate in MLB history. The vast majority of these steals (700) have come from players stealing second base and then continuing on to steal home. However, 75 players have managed to steal home without first stealing second base – a feat that requires even more speed and timing.

The player with the most stolen bases of home plate in MLB history is Ty Cobb, who accomplished the feat 54 times. Other notable players on the list include Babe Ruth (50 stolen bases), Vince Coleman (45), Lou Brock (46), and Ricky Henderson (33).

History of Stolen Bases

In baseball, a player can advance to home plate from second base, or even from first base, by stealing the next base in order. This is called stealing home. It’s a play that can be very exciting for the fans, and it’s also one of the most difficult plays to successfully execute.

How many baseball players have stolen home? The answer may surprise you. While there have been some great base stealers throughout history, the number of players who have actually stolen home is relatively small.

According to Major League Baseball’s official website, there have been only 738 stolen bases in the history of the game. That’s an average of just over seven per year. And, of those 738 stolen bases, only 74 (or 10%) were successful steals of home plate.

The player with the most stolen bases in MLB history is Rickey Henderson, who played for nine teams over his 25-year career. Henderson stole 1,406 bases in his career, including an incredible 130 in 1982, which is still the single-season record. But even Henderson only stole home 27 times in his career – that’s just 2% of his total stolen bases.

So if you’re ever at a baseball game and you see a player on first base with a fast runner on second, don’t get too excited about the possibility of seeing a stolen base – let alone a stolen base of home plate. It’s a rare feat indeed.

The Rule Change in 1898

In 1898, a rule change allowed a base runner who was on third base to attempt to steal home plate. Prior to this change, a runner could only steal home if the batter was trying to advance to another base. The rule change increased the number of stolen bases and made it easier for faster runners to score.

Between 1898 and 1901, there were an average of six stolen bases per season. In 1902, the average jumped to 11 stolen bases per season. The rule change led to more aggressive base running and put pressure on defenses to make better throws to home plate.

The record for most stolen bases in a season is held by Willie Mays, who stole 40 bases in 1956. Mays is also the career leader in stolen bases, with 1,903 from 1951-1973.

The Decline of Stolen Bases

In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a runner advances to a base to which he is not entitled and the official scorer rules that the advance should be credited to the action of the runner. The umpires determine whether the runner is safe or out at the completion of the play, as opposed to stolen bases, which are decided when the runner begins his steal.

Over the years, there has been a decline in the number of stolen bases. In 1980, there were 1149 stolen bases; in 1990, there were 1027; in 2000, there were 939; and in 2010, there were 867. This is likely due to a number of factors, such as an increase in strikeouts (which means fewer opportunities to steal), an increase in home runs (which means less need to steal), and an increase in homeruns (which means less need to take extra bases).

There are a number of reasons why players might choose not to steal bases. One reason is that it can be risky; if they are caught stealing, they will be out and their team will lose an out. Another reason is that it takes time to steal a base, and if they are not successful, their team will lose precious time that could be used to score runs. Finally, some players may feel that they do not have the necessary speed or skill to successfully steal a base.

Despite the decline in stolen bases, there are still a number of players who are successful at stealing them. In 2010, Carl Crawford led all players with 60 stolen bases; he was followed by Michael Bourn (52), B.J. Upton (42), Juan Pierre (37), and Shane Victorino (36).

The Resurgence of Stolen Bases

Baseball has seen a recent resurgence in stolen bases, as players look to add an extra dimension to their game. In 2018, there were 1, Harper stole 391 bases, the most in a single season since 2012. This is partly due to the increased focus on analytics in the game, as teams look for any advantage they can get.

Stolen bases are not just about speed, however. Players need to have good instincts and be able to read the pitcher’s moves. A player who can steal a base is a valuable asset to any team, as they can score from first base on a double or from second base on a single.

How many players have stolen home in a season? The record is held by Ty Cobb, who stole home 54 times in his career. He is followed by Rickey Henderson (50), Lou Brock (46), and Tim Raines (40). In 2018, there were only six players who stole home, so it is still a rare feat.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we can see that there is a wide range in the number of baseball players who have stolen home. The record holder, Rickey Henderson, stole home 54 times in his career. However, the average player steals home less than once per season.