Move over, Frankie Crosetti. Watch your back, Rickey Henderson. The Yankees are coming, and they’re running with abandon.
The Bombers swiped four more bases in their rain-shortened 7-4 loss to the Indians last night, upping their major-league leading total to 63 steals after 52 games. Yankees manager Joe Torre is as surprised as anyone.
“The only thing I ever preach in the spring is to be aggressive on the basepaths,” Torre said. “But base-stealing is sort of catching.”
The Yankees haven’t led the majors in stolen bases since they stole 91 in 1938, when Crosetti led the American League with 27 stolen bases. The Bombers last led the AL in thievery in 1985. Both Chuck Knoblauch and Alfonso Soriano are on track to steal more bases than any Yankee since Henderson swiped 93 in 1988.
Consider this remarkable fact: Paul O’Neill, contemplating retirement after this season, is on a pace to break his career-high in steals. The 38-year-old stole two more bases against Cleveland, increasing his season total to eight. He’ll wind up with 24 if he keeps chugging at this rate, breaking his high mark of 20 set in 1989.
O’Neill hasn’t stolen more than 15 bases in a season since then. He pilfered both bases due to serendipity. Or because of human error, if you ask Cleveland.
In the second inning, O’Neill was practically picked off by Cleveland lefty C.C. Sabathia as he took off from first.
But first baseman Jim Thome threw to shortstop Omar Vizquel instead of second baseman Roberto Alomar, who was covering the bag. It was a strange mental error by Thome, but O’Neill was awarded the stolen base. O’Neill subsequently took off for third, and Indians catcher Einar Diaz’s throw wound up in left field. O’Neill scored the second Yankee run on Diaz’s throwing error.
“He’s just taking what he thinks they’re going to give him,” Torre said. “He was just stealing on his own, which he has the option to do.”
Knoblauch scored in the first inning thanks to a stolen base. He was tied for the league lead with 17 steals entering last night’s game. At this pace, he’ll wind up with his most stolen bases since he swiped 62 with the Twins in 1997.
Aggressive baserunning earned the Yankees another run in the fourth. With two outs, Soriano took off from first with Scott Brosius on third. Soriano stole second, and another Diaz throwing error (his throw bounced) allowed Brosius to break for home.
Soriano is also among league leaders. His 16 swipes puts him fourth in the AL. Derek Jeter is also among league leaders with 10 steals.
“It could be a double-edged sword,” Torre said. “You get thrown out a couple of times – and I’ve seen this not only with individuals but with teams – all of a sudden you’re a little hesitant.
“But when things work, then you throw the caution to the wind. You put the pressure on the other team.”
