I thought this was a fun trip down memory lane. Thanks Amanda! Enjoy. ~Slow
There isn't much to talk about this week besides the terrific news that Maddon will be sticking with us for another three years. So in order to keep your attention, we decided to showcase a rarely ranked statistic: top Rays base stealer from 2000 until now. These guys made just about every opposing baseman think twice about not wearing a knee brace. Some names are no surprise, while others may make you wistful for the days when speed and stealth were necessary components of the Rays offensive strategy.
# 5 - ROCCO BALDELLI
Despite torn ligaments and other injuries that plagued him off and on throughout his time with the Rays, Baldelli managed to live up to the hype that went so far as to call him the next Joe DiMaggio. In his six seasons in Tampa between 2003 and 2010, he was able to nab an extra 59 bases under the noses of opposing teams.
# 4 – JASON BARTLETT
Bartlett's aggressive risk taking when he wore a Rays cap will be something fans of the last decade will remember for sometime. In three short seasons between 2008 and 2010, he was able to steal a total of 61 bases, and could have stolen more than 20 more for us if he hadn't gone to San Diego. It went well with that .286 batting average he carried while playing for us.

# 3 – JULIO LUGO
Lugo has spent his career moving around from team to team – playing for the Rays four seasons but only three consecutively, between 2003 and 2006. In those four seasons, he managed to steal a grand total of 88 bases, which amounts to more than 40% of his career stolen bases. In doing so, he secured his spot as the number three leader in Rays stolen bases over the last twelve years.
# 2 – B.J. UPTON
Here come the no surprises. In seven seasons with the Rays, powerhouse B.J. Upton has managed to top off his outstanding all-around career with an impressive 201 stolen bases. Between 2008 and 2010 alone he stole 128 bases, which has helped to beef up his already stellar 369 career RBIs. With many seasons left in him Upton is sure to rank as an all-time Rays base stealer among many other franchise achievements.
# 1 – CARL CRAWFORD
Base burglar extraordinaire Carl Crawford clearly takes the cake when it comes to top Tampa Bay base stealers. In 9 seasons with the Rays, the Houston native had successfully stolen 409 bases. In 2009, Crawford broke his personal record of 59 stolen bases in a single season with 60, and tied the major league record of number of stolen bases in a single game, with six. Needless to say, seeing Crawford in a Red Sox uniform is a sad sight to behold.
Base stealing used to be a core aspect of Rays offensive strategy, but has fallen out of favor in recent years. With Maddon on board for another three seasons at least, here's to hoping we see a return to speed and stealth taking on a larger role in securing Rays wins.
This post was written by a member of the DRaysBay community and does not necessarily express the views or opinions of DRaysBay staff.
5 recs | 42 comments
More like turd burglar
Thanks for this
Sandy Kazmir - February 21, 2012
Amanda "This should be" Green.
Passionate Apathy - February 21, 2012
Huh?
We’ve finished 1, 1, and 2 in MLB in steals in 2009, 2010, and 2011.
GomesSweetGomes - February 21, 2012
155 in 2011, 172 in 2010, 194 in 2009
So I guess it’s declined but we’re still at the front of the pack, so to speak
benderbrodriguez - February 21, 2012
217, 219, and 255 in attempts
Kind of remarkable that attempts stayed stable despite losing crawford.
GomesSweetGomes - February 21, 2012
To be fair, we did pick up Kotch.
Passionate Apathy - February 21, 2012
I think he was brought in to help more on our infield hits totals
Ben Tumbling - February 21, 2012
and rock the knee brace
James Westfall - February 21, 2012
and for hat-tipping
nomoredevil - February 21, 2012
This is frontpaged?
pudieron89 - February 21, 2012
Be more welcoming to new users.
SandalsNoPants - February 21, 2012
Agreed
I don’t agree with the conclusion, but appreciate the fact she gave us something to discuss.
GomesSweetGomes - February 21, 2012
Yeah, pudding ron is a jerk
Sandy Kazmir - February 21, 2012
he blasted Al Yellon over at SB Nation
over a dumb article the guy posted about players names/nicknames/middle names…classic.
James Westfall - February 21, 2012
Good.
SandalsNoPants - February 21, 2012
i blast him whenever he writes awful sbn articles.
i just do it more tactfully than our pantsless friend.
pudieron89 - February 21, 2012
Try it over at BCB
SandalsNoPants - February 21, 2012
why would i go to a cubs blog?
pudieron89 - February 21, 2012
either to discuss Garza or the Epstein compensation is the reason I joined.
SandalsNoPants - February 21, 2012
Want to be on the masthead?
Hatfield - February 21, 2012
only if i get my own title
pudieron89 - February 22, 2012
I tend to appreciate the "she" part the most
BossmanJunior333 - February 21, 2012 via mobile
steve trying to meet new females in the blogosphere
pudieron89 - February 21, 2012
i mean there wasn't a lot of discussion apart from the fact that her entire thesis is incorrect.
except for the 2 or 3 serious comments about SB, SBA.
pudieron89 - February 21, 2012
Why start at 2000 when the franchise is only 2 years older than that?
Just wondering. Probably wouldn’t have made a difference, but I don’t get leaving off the 1st two seasons.
SandalsNoPants - February 21, 2012
Miguel Cairo, 69 steals
no really
nomoredevil - February 21, 2012
Randy Winn had 80.
SandalsNoPants - February 22, 2012
So he and Miguel would knock Rocco & MVB off this list?
Would have made a more interesting write up IMO. I know Cairo had poor BB%, but I always wondered why he didn’t more of a shot as an everyday player after he left. Plus, the Split-Hand-Grip! And Winn was instrumental in ushering in the Sweet Lou Era. Who doesn’t have fond memories of that time period?
nomoredevil - February 22, 2012
it's a look back at the leap-decade, have to include 2011.
pudieron89 - February 21, 2012
reply fail to SNP above.
pudieron89 - February 21, 2012
Please take some time to familiarize yourself with the site's reply feature.
Hatfield - February 21, 2012
Don't criticize new users.
EminenceFront - February 21, 2012
Noobs
BossmanJunior333 - February 21, 2012 via mobile
Two words
TY-NER!
Shinjo Is God - February 21, 2012
2 recs
Steve the masthead is calling.
SRQman - February 22, 2012
lmao
benderbrodriguez - February 22, 2012
Got my rec
internet commenter - February 22, 2012
.
Topper –
Awesome Dude-
Sorry, unrecced and flagged.
internet commenter - February 22, 2012
Until Next Time,
The Sports Chief
Top Gun Numba 1 - February 22, 2012
This is good
Somehow I missed that
FreeZorilla - February 22, 2012
Not to mention Jennings has already lived up to the hype of being the next Rickey Henderson
BossmanJunior333 - February 22, 2012 via mobile
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