The Lost Art of the Stolen Base

There are many reasons why I enjoy watching major league baseball. Diving catches in the field, strong pitching performances and grueling extra inning games are just some of the things that I look forward to every spring and summer. Even though the off season is only a couple of months old, I'm already anticipating watching spring training games. They give me something to distract me from the brutal cold winter temperatures.

My Minnesota Twins set several team records this year. It was fun watching them lead the division for almost  the entire regular season. They even set a major league record in hitting 307 home runs as a team. On the flip side, they also had one of their lowest stolen base totals (28) ever. There were eight players who stole more bases individually than the Twins did as a team. The Twins leading base stealer, Byron Buxton, swiped 14 bases in an injury-plagued season. That total still put him in the top 50 basestealers in the majors.

The stolen base is one of the more exciting plays in baseball. There's just something about watching a runner get a lead off of the pitcher, and advancing on a pitch. It's part of the game's strategy. Unfortunately, it's something that isn't done nearly as often as it used to. Stolen base numbers as whole have been declining in the majors for years.

There are several reasons why we're seeing fewer stolen bases:

1. Chicks dig the long ball. Stolen bases aren't sexy. Towering home runs are impressive, and home run hitters have always been featured during sportscasts. Some home run hitters can steal bases, but most of them either can't or rarely try for fear of injuring themselves. Home run hitters in the American League can also extend their careers as designated hitters, while basestealers' careers have been shortened more and more in recent years.

One of my favorite Twins players to watch was Ben Revere. I'll never forget seeing his somersault triple in a game against the Chicago White Sox at Target Field in person on my birthday a few years ago. He always went all out on defense and on the base paths. He was a considerable stolen base threat, but he hasn't played in the majors in a couple of years. He's in his early 30's and can still be an asset to a team, but he just doesn't seem to be given much of an opportunity. The same has been true for other speedsters. They are sometimes seen as being one-dimensional, even if they play great defense or can hit a few balls out of the park from time to time.

2. Managers play the numbers. Years ago, managers and coaches were much more likely to give base stealers the green light whenever they wanted. There's a lot less of that nowadays. Managers play percentages. They use statistics and video replays to determine whether or not a player can steal off certain pitchers and catchers. This usually leads to fewer stolen bases, especially when one of their power hitters is at bat.

I was listening to a Twins game on the radio a few months ago on my way home from a concert. The play by play announcers were recalling a Twins game in 1968 when the team stole five bases in one inning of a game against the Detroit Tigers that season. Four bases were stolen while their primary power threat Harmon Killebrew was at the plate. This included two steals of home (by Cesar Tovar and Rod Carew, respectively). Carew stole second, third and home during that at bat. An astounding feat that probably won't happen again any time soon.

3. There's more focus on defense. There are a lot more defensive shifts in both the infield and outfield during big league games now than ever before. While pitchers are making fewer pickoff attempts, their catchers are compensating by improving their moves and throws behind the plate. Some of today's catchers have played other positions or more sports, making them more mobile at their position. They aren't the lead-footed dinosaurs that older fans may be used to.

Stolen bases are still part of the game, but to a lesser degree. There's obviously more swipes in the National League which lacks the DH, but a stolen base can still be crucial in a close game. We may see stolen base totals increase eventually, but that probably won't happen until home run totals either level off or decline.

Well, those are my thoughts for today. It's been nice to take a day off and think about baseball on a cold, snowy weekend. Until next time, have a great weekend, everyone!