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-3^rd – 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 (1^st-3^rd) 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)

Player	1st-3rd	1B_BR_Opps	Pct1st3rd
Ty Cline	72	123	0.585
Ed Stroud	57	102	0.559
Wayne Comer	28	51	0.549
Joe Foy	74	137	0.540
Lou B. Johnson	52	97	0.536
Keith A. Miller	41	77	0.532
Curtis Goodwin	27	52	0.519
Wayne Kirby	38	74	0.514
Roy Hughes	69	136	0.507
Johnny Watwood	37	73	0.507
Sherry Robertson	38	75	0.507
Harry Davis	29	58	0.500

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.

“Hardball Retrospective” is available in paperback and digital (Kindle) format at Amazon.com. 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 my book are accessible here.

“Hardball Retrospective – Addendum 2014 to 2016” supplements my research for Hardball Retrospective, providing retroactive standings based on Wins Above Replacement (WAR) and Win Shares (WS) for each “original” team over the past three seasons (2014-2016). Team totals from 2010 – 2013 are included for reference purposes. “Addendum” is available in paperback and digital (Kindle) format at Amazon.com. 

“Hardball Retroactive”, published in June 2018, is available in paperback and digital (Kindle) format at Amazon.com. A cross-section of essays that I penned for Seamheads.com along with my Baseball Analytics blog spanning nearly a decade touching on subjects including “Taking the Extra Base”, “General Manager Scorecard”, “Worst Trades”, “BABIP By Location” and “Baseball Birthplaces and the Retro World Baseball Classic”. Rediscover your favorite hardball arcade and simulations in “Play Retro Baseball Video Games In Your Browser” or take a deep dive into every franchise’s minor league successes and failures in relation to their major league operations in “Minors vs. Majors”.

“Hardball Architects” examines the trades, free agent acquisitions, draft picks and other transactions for the 30 Major League Baseball franchises, divided into a 2-volume set (American League and National League). All key moves are scrutinized for every team and Sabermetric principles are applied to the roster construction throughout the lifetime of the organization to encapsulate the hits and misses by front office executives. “Volume 1 – American League Teams” is available in paperback and digital (Kindle) format at Amazon.com. “Volume 2 – National League Teams” is tentatively scheduled for publication in the spring of 2022.