Office Hours | The History and Future of Stolen Bases

Collect the Cards of Stealing Stars

Last year, Shohei Ohtani became the first player in baseball history to post 50 HRs and 50 stolen bases in the same season. At 6’4” and 210 lbs., Ohtani doesn’t fit the traditional mold for a base stealing threat, but his astounding baserunning success has the potential to make swiping bases a bigger part of the game.

A look at the historical trends is at first surprising: Base stealing peaked in the mid-1980s, but it has fallen off a cliff in the years since. The explanation for this decline reveals itself almost immediately, however. As advanced statistical analysis became the norm, managers became more conscious of the risks associated with stealing bases. The current consensus is that a player must be able to successfully steal 70% of the time, or better, to offset the risk of being thrown out.

That means high success rates are required now, and attempts are way down. Ohtani stole 59 bases last season with a 94% success rate, and this is probably what the future of base stealing looks like. Remarkably, even if Ohtani repeated that performance on the bases for the next 10 years — an unlikely bet — he still wouldn’t earn a spot in the top-eight all-time leaders in the stolen base category.

Let’s look at some of the standout cards for the most prolific base-stealers in MLB history.

Eddie Collins – 741 SB

A graduate of Columbia University, Hall-of-Famer Eddie Collins was an all-around star, swiping 744 bases in the early 1900s. Collins’ combination of smarts and speed made him a legend in both the dead-ball and live-ball eras.

Collins’ 1909-1911 T206 card, showcasing one of baseball’s most cerebral players, remains one of the most desirable early 20th-century cards, especially when it’s found in good condition.

Arlie Latham – 742 SB

Arlie Latham was one of the game’s early speedsters with 742 stolen bases. Latham’s mischievous and fiery personality made him a fan favorite, though his playing days preceded mainstream card production. However, hobbyists treasure his 1887 Old Judge card, an early relic of baseball history.

Vince Coleman – 758 SB

Vince Coleman burst onto the scene in the 1980s, immediately establishing himself as one of the most dangerous base stealers in the game. Coleman led the National League in stolen bases for six consecutive seasons from 1985 to 1990, amassing 752 career steals. His 110 steals in 1985 remains a rookie record, and he is one of only four players in history to steal 100 or more bases in three consecutive seasons.

Known for his explosive speed and quick first step, Coleman was a nightmare for opposing pitchers and catchers alike. Collectors value his 1985 Topps Traded rookie, which showcases Coleman as a rising star for the St. Louis Cardinals. The card captures his impact as one of the most electrifying players of his era.

Tim Raines – 808 SB

Tim Raines is often overshadowed by Rickey Henderson, but with 808 stolen bases, he was one of the most effective base stealers of his generation. Raines had a rare blend of speed and on-base ability, which made him a valuable leadoff hitter during his career, particularly with the Montreal Expos. His seven consecutive All-Star appearances from 1981 to 1987 are a testament to his consistency as a top-tier player.

Raines’ ability to draw walks and steal bases gave opposing pitchers headaches. His 1981 Topps rookie card (#479) became more desirable as Raines’ eventually-successful Hall of Fame candidacy gained momentum. 

Ty Cobb – 897 SB

Often remembered for his fiery personality and relentless competitiveness, Ty Cobb was more than just a batting legend. With 897 stolen bases, Cobb used his speed and guile to torment defenses throughout his career. His aggressive baserunning and fearlessness on the diamond was unparalleled, and his stolen bases often came at crucial moments in games.

Cobb’s legacy in baseball history is cemented by his standing as one of the greatest all-around players to ever play the game. His 1909-1911 T206 card is one of the most famous cards in The Hobby. Collectors particularly seek out the “Red Portrait” version of this card, which showcases Cobb’s determined expression and competitive nature.

Billy Hamilton – 914 SB

Hamilton’s speed dominated in the dead-ball era, as he amassed 914 stolen bases. His quickness was nearly unmatched in baseball’s early years. Though Hamilton’s career predated mainstream baseball cards, his T206 card from 1909 remains a collectible representing the era of the game’s first great base stealers.

Lou Brock – 938 SB

Lou Brock’s impact on the game goes far beyond his 938 stolen bases. A two-time World Series champion and a six-time All-Star, Brock was the sparkplug for the St. Louis Cardinals throughout the 1960s and ‘70s.

His speed and fearless approach on the base paths made him one of the most dangerous players in the league. Brock also held the single-season stolen base record with 118 swipes in 1974 before Rickey Henderson broke it. Collectors prize Brock’s 1962 Topps rookie card (#387), which captures the beginning of a Hall of Fame career.

Rickey Henderson – 1,406 SB

Widely regarded as the greatest leadoff hitter in baseball history, Rickey Henderson revolutionized the art of base stealing. Over his 25-year career, he set an MLB record with 1,406 stolen bases, a mark that may never be broken.

Known for his unmatched speed and keen baseball instincts, Henderson not only stole bases but also changed games with his ability to distract pitchers and manufacture runs. His brash confidence and style made him a fan favorite.

Henderson’s 1980 Topps rookie card (#482) is one of the most iconic baseball cards of the era. Depicting the future Hall of Famer during his early days with the Oakland Athletics, it’s a cornerstone of any serious collection.

Honorable Mentions

Negro league standouts Cool Papa Bell and Norman “Turkey” Stearns likely would have made a run for top 10 spots if they had played in the MLB. Satchel Paige famously said that Bell was so fast that he could turn off a light switch and be in bed before the room got dark. The 2004 Topps Tribute HOF #7 featuring Bell is one of the best cards made in his honor.

The 1950s were one of the slower decades for stolen bases. Together, the top three SB leaders — Willie Mays, Minnie Minoso, and Richie Ashburn — totaled only 504 stolen bases for the entire decade. However, Luis Aparicio didn’t get his start until 1956, and from 1959-1964, he averaged almost 50 SB per season. Aparicio’s rookie card is the memorable 1956 card #292.

Ronald Acuña, Jr.’s 73 stolen bases in 2023 promised the start of a new golden age for base stealing and earned him the MVP award, but an injury kept him sidelined for much of the 2024 season, and since coming back in 2025, his steals have yet to pick back up. For now, Ohtani and Elly De La Cruz appear to be the most promising torchbearers among active base stealers.

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