How does Babe Ruth have 123 SBs

MikeVic · 08-09-2007, 09:05 AM

With a high of 17 in a season happening twice? Sure he got caught a lot... is this just a result of many hit-and-runs, with the catcher not throwing?

http://www.baseball-reference.com/r/ruthba01.shtml

Huckleberry · 08-09-2007, 09:07 AM

Babe Ruth was a good athlete. I know that comes as a shock to plenty of people. The only videos you see are of Ruth at the end of his career. Find some pictures of a younger Ruth.

Of course he was never as good a basestealer as he thought he was. But he was not the lumbering guy with the pot belly for most of his career.

Huckleberry · 08-09-2007, 09:13 AM

stevew · 08-09-2007, 09:24 AM

Kruk stole more than 50 bases in his career. He was every bit of a pig as Ruth.

larrymcg421 · 08-09-2007, 09:43 AM

Sid Bream stole 50 bases, including 13 in one season.

MikeVic · 08-09-2007, 10:05 AM

Ah ok. Thanks for educating me.

Maple Leafs · 08-09-2007, 10:11 AM

Also, Ruth used steroids.

Pumpy Tudors · 08-09-2007, 10:12 AM

Speaking of stolen bases, Tony Clark has the longest active streak of games without a stolen base. He's now up to 793 straight games without a steal, with his last stolen base coming on April 3, 2000 (opening day for his team).

Let's get up to 800, Tony!

MikeVic · 08-09-2007, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maple Leafs

Also, Ruth used steroids.

Makes sense to me. Did Gehrig and Maris as well?

MikeVic · 08-09-2007, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

Speaking of stolen bases, Tony Clark has the longest active streak of games without a stolen base. He's now up to 793 straight games without a steal, with his last stolen base coming on April 3, 2000 (opening day for his team).

Let's get up to 800, Tony!

Julio Franco once had 36 SBs in a season, at the age of 52.

Pumpy Tudors · 08-09-2007, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeVic

Julio Franco once had 36 SBs in a season, at the age of 52.

Whoa, he stole 36 bases in a strike year?

MikeVic · 08-09-2007, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

Whoa, he stole 36 bases in a strike year?

Yeah sorry, I forgot that little tidbit. I remember people at the time saying he could have had over 115 if the season continued.

Pumpy Tudors · 08-09-2007, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeVic

Yeah sorry, I forgot that little tidbit. I remember people at the time saying he could have had over 115 if the season continued.

What's that? He would've been 115 years old when the season ended?

flere-imsaho · 08-09-2007, 10:21 AM

Greg Maddux had a stolen base a few weeks ago. Clearly, no one on the opposing team were expecting it and so *bam*, there you go.

MikeVic · 08-09-2007, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

What's that? He would've been 115 years old when the season ended?

No, you're mistaken. He's currently 115 years old. I think maybe that's why Ksyrup has said he can't contribute to a team anymore. That damn age prejudice.

MikeVic · 08-09-2007, 10:24 AM

Dola,

I say if you can still play the game, then play the game. I don't care if you're 42, or 115.

larrymcg421 · 08-09-2007, 10:27 AM

Julio Franco still looks younger than Otis Nixon did back in 1991.

MikeVic · 08-09-2007, 10:28 AM

Maybe Nixon is Franco's father... are there records of a name-change somewhere?

MikeVic · 08-09-2007, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flere-imsaho

Greg Maddux had a stolen base a few weeks ago. Clearly, no one on the opposing team were expecting it and so *bam*, there you go.

Maddux apparently has 10 career SBs. Go Maddux!

MikeVic · 08-09-2007, 10:31 AM

Hmm.

larrymcg421 · 08-09-2007, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeVic

Maddux apparently has 10 career SBs. Go Maddux!

He couldn't retire until he got to double digits. Now he just needs to get to 100 RBI's and he'll be set.

Pumpy Tudors · 08-09-2007, 10:50 AM

You know that Rickey Henderson is sitting around somewhere with a frown on his face because we're talking about stolen bases, but we ain't talkin' about Rickey.

larrymcg421 · 08-09-2007, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

You know that Rickey Henderson is sitting around somewhere with a frown on his face because we're talking about stolen bases, but we ain't talkin' about Rickey.

And then you had to go and ruin it.

MikeVic · 08-09-2007, 10:53 AM

"What's that I hear about stolen bases??"

primelord · 08-09-2007, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeVic

"What's that I hear about stolen bases??"

Come on now. That caption should quite clearly read "What's that Rickey hears about stolen bases??"

Pumpy Tudors · 08-09-2007, 12:10 PM

I would almost be willing to bet money that, because I mentioned Tony Clark's streak, he's going to steal a base against the Pirates tonight.

MikeVic · 08-09-2007, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by primelord

Come on now. That caption should quite clearly read "What's that Rickey hears about stolen bases??"

MikeVic · 08-09-2007, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

I would almost be willing to bet money that, because I mentioned Tony Clark's streak, he's going to steal a base against the Pirates tonight.

I'll check the box score tomorrow for sure!

larrymcg421 · 08-09-2007, 12:14 PM

Tony Clark is gonna steal home and then flash his American Express card.

MikeVic · 08-09-2007, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larrymcg421

Tony Clark is gonna steal home and then flash his American Express card.

Wearing a suit jacket, right?

ISiddiqui · 08-09-2007, 12:37 PM

Never steal home without it

Young Drachma · 08-09-2007, 02:52 PM

MikeVic · 08-09-2007, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

Wow

?

sabotai · 08-09-2007, 03:43 PM

I'm more surprised at how many triples Ruth had in his career (136).

Logan · 08-09-2007, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flere-imsaho

Greg Maddux had a stolen base a few weeks ago. Clearly, no one on the opposing team were expecting it and so *bam*, there you go.

El Duque stole bases in back to back starts a couple weeks ago. And they were expecting it.

You know what's really crazy? The amount of steals of home that guys used to get. Apparently it's a lost art...but I think something changed and no one is telling us.

st.cronin · 08-09-2007, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logan

The amount of steals of home that guys used to get. Apparently it's a lost art...but I think something changed and no one is telling us.

My first guess is pitcher's windups. They're much quicker than they used to be.

spleen1015 · 08-09-2007, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

I would almost be willing to bet money that, because I mentioned Tony Clark's streak, he's going to steal a base against the Pirates tonight.

Bet that porn star mustache. If he doesn't steal tonight, shave it then post a pick.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sabotai

I'm more surprised at how many triples Ruth had in his career (136).

Remember, when he got started, the fences were pretty deep. So, he just hit it over their heads.

dawgfan · 08-09-2007, 04:46 PM

For whatever reason, most of the photos of Babe Ruth in the public consciousness are from later in his career after he'd gained weight. Imagine if you only ever saw photos and video of Barry Bonds from the last couple of years - it'd be hard to imagine him stealing 52 bases in a season.

FWIW, here's the best video I've seen of Ruth at the plate (comparing his swing with Barry Bonds) - obviously from earlier in his career when he was in prime physical condition:

korme · 08-09-2007, 06:08 PM

much more upright than barry

Senator · 08-09-2007, 06:23 PM

I also do not see the Jaws of Life attached to Ruth's elbow.

Logan · 08-09-2007, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by st.cronin

My first guess is pitcher's windups. They're much quicker than they used to be.

So pitchers used to go from a full windup with runners on base, as opposed to the stretch?

DanGarion · 08-09-2007, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeVic

Wearing a suit jacket, right?

It's a black tie affair he'll be wearing a Tuxedo T-Shirt.

st.cronin · 08-09-2007, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logan

So pitchers used to go from a full windup with runners on base, as opposed to the stretch?

Well, I don't know exactly when the "stretch" was invented or when it was standardized. But if you ever watch old footage, the windups are much more intricate, even from the "stretch." Its one of the things that really jumps out at me as a difference in the game.

dawgfan · 08-09-2007, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shorty3281

much more upright than barry

At the moment of contact you mean? Yeah, a little bit. The much bigger difference is the stride - Barry's front foot doesn't stride as far forward as Ruth's. Ruth also has a little more of a hitch before 'loading up' his bat, whereas Bonds has very little movement in getting his bat back into position. Ruth drops his hands a bit before raising them to get into his swing position - Bonds doesn't have that hand dip that Ruth does.

Huckleberry · 08-09-2007, 06:55 PM

As a Ruthophile I'm saddened to say I'd never seen that sequence before. Look at the amount of flex he put in the bat at the moment he began the downward motion of his swing. That's absolutely incredible. It seems impossible when you consider that he was using at least a 40 oz bat that didn't have the extreme taper at the handle that modern bats have.

dawgfan · 08-09-2007, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huckleberry

As a Ruthophile I'm saddened to say I'd never seen that sequence before. Look at the amount of flex he put in the bat at the moment he began the downward motion of his swing. That's absolutely incredible. It seems impossible when you consider that he was using at least a 40 oz bat that didn't have the extreme taper at the handle that modern bats have.

Ruth was a strong mofo. I'm sourcing the clip from Carlos Gomez's latest entry on his Bullpen Mechanics blog. I hadn't ever seen it before either and it gave me new appreciation for his swing - very athletic and very powerful.

MikeVic · 08-10-2007, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

I would almost be willing to bet money that, because I mentioned Tony Clark's streak, he's going to steal a base against the Pirates tonight.

Quote:

Originally Posted by spleen1015

Bet that porn star mustache. If he doesn't steal tonight, shave it then post a pick.

Pics Pumpy! I think you agreed to this bet somewhere.

Pumpy Tudors · 08-10-2007, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeVic

Pics Pumpy! I think you agreed to this bet somewhere.

Nope, I didn't accept it. Sorry.

MikeVic · 08-10-2007, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

Nope, I didn't accept it. Sorry.

Damnit!

Crim · 08-10-2007, 09:24 PM

This thread delivers. Unexpectedly entertaining. Thusly encouraged, please continue.

08-09-2007, 09:07 AM	#2
Huckleberry College Starter Join Date: Dec 2001	Babe Ruth was a good athlete. I know that comes as a shock to plenty of people. The only videos you see are of Ruth at the end of his career. Find some pictures of a younger Ruth. Of course he was never as good a basestealer as he thought he was. But he was not the lumbering guy with the pot belly for most of his career. __________________ The one thing all your failed relationships have in common is you. The Barking Carnival (Longhorn-centered sports blog) College Football Adjusted Stats and Ratings

08-09-2007, 09:13 AM	#3
Huckleberry College Starter Join Date: Dec 2001	__________________ The one thing all your failed relationships have in common is you. The Barking Carnival (Longhorn-centered sports blog) College Football Adjusted Stats and Ratings

08-09-2007, 09:43 AM	#5
larrymcg421 Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Georgia	Sid Bream stole 50 bases, including 13 in one season. __________________ Top 10 Songs of the Year 1955-Present (1976 Added) Franchise Portfolio Draft Winner Fictional Character Draft Winner Television Family Draft Winner Build Your Own Hollywood Studio Draft Winner Last edited by larrymcg421 : 08-09-2007 at 09:45 AM.

08-09-2007, 10:11 AM	#7
Maple Leafs Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2002	Also, Ruth used steroids. __________________ Down Goes Brown: Toronto Maple Leafs Humor and Analysis

08-09-2007, 10:12 AM	#8
Pumpy Tudors Bounty Hunter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Pittsburgh, PA	Speaking of stolen bases, Tony Clark has the longest active streak of games without a stolen base. He's now up to 793 straight games without a steal, with his last stolen base coming on April 3, 2000 (opening day for his team). Let's get up to 800, Tony! __________________ No, I am not Batman, and I will not repair your food processor. Last edited by Pumpy Tudors : 08-09-2007 at 10:12 AM.

08-09-2007, 09:24 AM	#4
stevew Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: the yo'	Kruk stole more than 50 bases in his career. He was every bit of a pig as Ruth.

08-09-2007, 10:05 AM	#6
MikeVic Head Coach Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hometown of Canada	Ah ok. Thanks for educating me.

08-09-2007, 10:21 AM	#14
flere-imsaho Coordinator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chicagoland	Greg Maddux had a stolen base a few weeks ago. Clearly, no one on the opposing team were expecting it and so bam, there you go.

08-09-2007, 10:24 AM	#16
MikeVic Head Coach Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hometown of Canada	Dola, I say if you can still play the game, then play the game. I don't care if you're 42, or 115.

08-09-2007, 10:27 AM	#17
larrymcg421 Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Georgia	Julio Franco still looks younger than Otis Nixon did back in 1991. __________________ Top 10 Songs of the Year 1955-Present (1976 Added) Franchise Portfolio Draft Winner Fictional Character Draft Winner Television Family Draft Winner Build Your Own Hollywood Studio Draft Winner

08-09-2007, 10:28 AM	#18
MikeVic Head Coach Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hometown of Canada	Maybe Nixon is Franco's father... are there records of a name-change somewhere?

08-09-2007, 10:31 AM	#20
MikeVic Head Coach Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hometown of Canada	Hmm.

08-09-2007, 10:50 AM	#22
Pumpy Tudors Bounty Hunter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Pittsburgh, PA	You know that Rickey Henderson is sitting around somewhere with a frown on his face because we're talking about stolen bases, but we ain't talkin' about Rickey. __________________ No, I am not Batman, and I will not repair your food processor.

08-09-2007, 10:53 AM	#24
MikeVic Head Coach Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hometown of Canada	"What's that I hear about stolen bases??"

08-09-2007, 12:10 PM	#26
Pumpy Tudors Bounty Hunter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Pittsburgh, PA	I would almost be willing to bet money that, because I mentioned Tony Clark's streak, he's going to steal a base against the Pirates tonight. __________________ No, I am not Batman, and I will not repair your food processor.

08-09-2007, 12:14 PM	#29
larrymcg421 Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Georgia	Tony Clark is gonna steal home and then flash his American Express card. __________________ Top 10 Songs of the Year 1955-Present (1976 Added) Franchise Portfolio Draft Winner Fictional Character Draft Winner Television Family Draft Winner Build Your Own Hollywood Studio Draft Winner

08-09-2007, 12:37 PM	#31
ISiddiqui Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Decatur, GA	Never steal home without it __________________ "A prayer for the wild at heart, kept in cages" -Tennessee Williams

08-09-2007, 02:52 PM	#32
Young Drachma Dark Cloud Join Date: Apr 2001	Wow

08-09-2007, 03:43 PM	#34
sabotai General Manager Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: The Satellite of Love	I'm more surprised at how many triples Ruth had in his career (136).

08-09-2007, 04:46 PM	#38
dawgfan Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Seattle	For whatever reason, most of the photos of Babe Ruth in the public consciousness are from later in his career after he'd gained weight. Imagine if you only ever saw photos and video of Barry Bonds from the last couple of years - it'd be hard to imagine him stealing 52 bases in a season. FWIW, here's the best video I've seen of Ruth at the plate (comparing his swing with Barry Bonds) - obviously from earlier in his career when he was in prime physical condition:

08-09-2007, 06:08 PM	#39
korme Go Reds Join Date: May 2001 Location: Bloodbuzz Ohio	much more upright than barry

08-09-2007, 06:23 PM	#40
Senator FOFC's Elected Representative Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: The stars at night; are big and bright	I also do not see the Jaws of Life attached to Ruth's elbow. __________________ "i have seen chris simms play 4-5 times in the pros and he's very clearly got it. he won't make a pro bowl this year, but it'll come. if you don't like me saying that, so be it, but its true. we'll just have to wait until then" imettrentgreen "looking at only ten games, and oddly using a median only, leaves me unmoved generally" - Quiksand

08-09-2007, 06:55 PM	#45
Huckleberry College Starter Join Date: Dec 2001	As a Ruthophile I'm saddened to say I'd never seen that sequence before. Look at the amount of flex he put in the bat at the moment he began the downward motion of his swing. That's absolutely incredible. It seems impossible when you consider that he was using at least a 40 oz bat that didn't have the extreme taper at the handle that modern bats have. __________________ The one thing all your failed relationships have in common is you. The Barking Carnival (Longhorn-centered sports blog) College Football Adjusted Stats and Ratings

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