BASEBALL’S 600 CLUB (NOT HOMERUNS)

Florida Marlins Outfielder Juan Pierre joined a distinct list during Thursday Night’s Game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Pierre became only the 17th player in major league history to reach 600 Stolen Bases. In contrast, only 8 players have hit 600 or more home runs. Another major milestone is the 300 win club. Now this club holds 24 Pitchers to date. So a pretty interesting side note here shows that the home run club is most exclusive according to the numbers, the stolen base club is second and the 300 Win Club third. 8-17-24

So, combined, only 49 Players have hit these milestones in the very long history of baseball. MLB was founded in 1868. So in the 145 total years of MLB, there have only been 49 players that have reached 600 Home Runs, 600 Stolen Bases and 300 Wins. This shows the magnitude of all of these players that have reached these milestones.

Anyway, lets take a look at the 600 Stolen Base Club and see the specifics, what players have made it, who has come close and who may have a shot going forward. By definition, a “stolen base” is any time a player successfully makes it to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate. Stolen Bases were more prevalent in past seasons and have dramatically been cut down as far as the frequency in modern day baseball. There may be a few reasons for this, but two of the main reasons would be increased velocity of pitchers getting the ball to the plate as well as an improvement on the defensive side of the ball for catchers. Today, catchers are better at getting the ball and releasing it quickly to try and get the runner out while they attempt to swipe a base.

Lets now take a look at the list:
1) Rickey Henderson (1,406 SB)- Known as the “Man of Steal” Rickey was probably the best Leadoff hitter in Baseball History. He holds the records for career stolen bases, walks, runs scored and Leadoff Home Runs. He was inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame in 2009 with a 96% First Ballot Vote.

2) Lou Brock (938 SB)- Brock, who played the majority of games with the Saint Louis Cardinals held virtually every stolen base record before Henderson broke his records. Brock was the first player to break Ty Cobb’s long standing Stolen Base record. Brock was also inducted into the HOF in his first year of eligibility in 1985.

3) Billy Hamilton (912 SB)- Hamilton was a player that played between 1888 and 1901. He was a prototype Leadoff hitter and played in the “run-happy” era. Hamilton holds the record for 7 Stolen Bases in one game. He is also the first player to have both a Leadoff Home Run and Walk-Off Home Run in the same game. He Made the Hall of Fame in 1961.

4) Ty Cobb (892 SB)- Cobb is legendary and held 90 Records at one point in his career before many were broken in years later. Cobb started his career in 1905 with the Detroit Tigers and ended it with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1928. Cobb was known for his aggressive style of play and was always on base a la hit, walk, or being hit. He would steal on every count. He was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 1936 receiving 222 of 226 Votes, a record.

5) Tim Raines (808 SB)- Raines, nick named the “ROCK” was another terror on the base paths. Raines career spanned from 1979-2002. A few seasons were marred when he went into a drug treatment program for a cocaine addiction. After he came back, his numbers actually got better. In 1983, he stole a career best 90 Bases. Raines has still failed to enter the HOF but his numbers definitely support his induction.

6) Vince Coleman (752 SB)- Coleman’s career was relatively short compared to other players on the list, which makes his accomplishments more dramatic. He only played from 1985-1997. In his debut season he stole 110 Bases, setting a record. He was only the 3rd player in history to post 3 consecutive 100 Stolen Base Seasons. The end of his career was a downward spiral, but anyone that saw him can acknowledge that without his injuries and problems off the field, he very well could have been the all time leader, even better than Henderson.

7) Eddie Collins (744 SB)- Known as “Cocky”, Collins time in the MLB saw him as a second baseman, coach, and executive. Collins was a quiet leader on the base paths and was inducted into the HOF in 1939. Collins died in 1951 at the age of 63.

8) Max Carey (738 SB)- Carey played from 1910-1927 as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Brooklyn Robins. He regularly stole 40 Bases a season and has an excellent percentage. He led the league in steals 10x and was always at the top in this category. He also stole Home 33x, second only to Ty Cobb’s 50. He was inducted into the HOF in 1961.

9) Honus Wagner (722 SB)- Wagner was nicknamed “The Flying Dutchman”. His career spanned from 1897-1919. Wagner won 8 Batting Titles which ties Tony Gwynn for the major league record. He led the league in slugging six times and stolen bases five times. Wagner is most noted for his baseball card which continues to be the most valuable of any player in history. He also made the HOF in 1936 receiving more votes than anyone besides Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth.

10) Joe Morgan (689 SB)- Morgan is most known for his career with the Reds and “The Big Red Machine”. He was the first second baseman in history to win back to back MVP Awards. Morgan, who is now a broadcaster, is considered one of If not the best second baseman if all time. He entered the HOF In 1991 as a First Ballot.

11) Willie Wilson (668 SB)- Wilson held the record for most official at bats in a season with 705 until Jimmy Rollins just recently passed him. Wilson hit a career .285 for his career, most of which was played for the Kansas City Royals.

12) Bert Campernaris (649 SB)- Campernaris had almost as many steals in his career as RBI. That’s pretty uncommon and hard to do.

13) Kenny Lofton (622 SB)- Kenny played from 1991-2007. Most of his years were spent with the Cleveland Indians where he did not receive much press. He was a six time all star and five time stolen base champ. Lofton has the record for post season steals with 34 which broke Rickey Henderson’s record of 33. He will make the HOF some day.

14) Otis Nixon (620 SB)- Nixon played his MLB career from 1983-1999. During that span he played for ten different teams. Nixon made the final out of the 1991 World Series by attempting to bunt for a base hit which still stands as the only time this has happened.

15) George Davis (616SB)

16) Tom Brown (615 SB)- 1882-1898.

17) Juan Pierre (600 SB)- In 2010 he had his most prolific season as far as stolen bases with 68 playing for the White Sox. He has had 200 Hits four times and 60 Stolen Bases three times. He won a World Series with the Florida Marlins in 2003. He is the ninth fastest player to reach 600 Stolen Bases.

Well, the 600 Stolen Base Club is exclusive and to ha e Pierre’s name mentioned with the likes of Lou Brock, Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, and Rickey Henderson is quite an accomplishment. I would say the only player on the radar who has a shot at 600 now is Jose Reyes because of his age. If Jimmy Rollins plays many more seasons and all of a sudden has a surge he
Could
Reach that number but I highly doubt it. Also Carl Crawford. Anyway, congratulations to Juan Pierre…quite an accomplishment for a player that has not always been a big name player.