Top 15 Base Stealers in Baseball History
These 15 legendary speedsters turned base stealing into an art form and left their mark on MLB history.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Stealing bases isn’t just about speed. It takes timing, instincts, and guts. The greatest base stealers in baseball made pitchers nervous and catchers look foolish. These 15 players changed the game with their legs and savvy.
15. Juan Pierre
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Pierre wasn’t flashy, but his consistency was elite. With 614 stolen bases, he relied on quick instincts and an incredible work ethic.
14. Otis Nixon
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Nixon’s legs kept him in the league for 17 seasons. He wasn’t known for power, but his 620 steals made him a threat every time he got on.
13. Willie Wilson
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One of the fastest players of the ’80s, Wilson led the league in triples and steals. He swiped 668 bags and brought chaos to the basepaths.
12. Kenny Lofton
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Lofton brought elite athleticism from the basketball court to the diamond. He stole 622 bases and was the spark plug for several playoff teams.
11. Lou Brock
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Before Rickey Henderson, Brock was the gold standard. With 938 steals, he held the record for over a decade. His base-stealing helped the Cardinals win two World Series titles.
10. Joe Morgan
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Morgan wasn’t just a Hall of Fame hitter — he was also a menace on the bases. He stole 689 bases and had a knack for picking the perfect moment.
9. Maury Wills
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Wills revolutionized the running game in the 1960s. His 104 steals in 1962 shook the league and earned him MVP honors. He made stealing second a psychological battle.
8. Bert Campaneris
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Often overlooked, Campaneris swiped 649 bags during a quietly excellent career. He played all nine positions once, but speed was his true weapon.
7. Davey Lopes
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Lopes stole 557 bases but stood out with his ridiculous success rate. He rarely got caught and ran with purpose. A thinking man’s thief, he punished pitchers with precision.
6. Vince Coleman
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In the ’80s, nobody stole more bases — literally. Coleman swiped over 100 bags in each of his first three seasons. His lightning-quick first step made him impossible to stop.
5. Ichiro Suzuki
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Ichiro brought finesse and timing from Japan to MLB and racked up 509 steals. He rarely wasted motion and often beat throws with graceful ease.
4. Ty Cobb
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Cobb was baseball’s first true speed demon, stealing 897 bases in an era when aggression ruled. His baserunning was gritty, fearless, and ahead of its time.
3. Tim Raines
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Known as “Rock,” Raines combined power, plate discipline, and blazing speed. He stole 808 bases and led the NL four straight years.
2. Billy Hamilton (19th Century)
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This Hamilton dominated in the dead-ball era, swiping an insane 914 bags. He was a nightmare for defenses before gloves were even common.
1. Rickey Henderson
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No one comes close to Rickey’s 1,406 stolen bases. He didn’t just steal bases — he stole games. With unmatched swagger and an eye for the moment, Rickey redefined what speed could mean in baseball.