We're living in the age of the three run homer. Fans love it, but I miss small ball. In particular, I miss the stolen base.
I grew up watching Ricky Henderson steal over a hundred bases a season. Speedsters like Vince Coleman mastered the art of thievery, put pitchers off their game and made something out of a single, walk or error. I remember well when Dave Collins stole 60 for the Jays in '84, the same season Damaso Garcia stole 46. Those days are long gone.
Take a look at the best base stealing seasons on record for Blue Jays. Since Shannon Stewart stole 51 in '98, no Jay has exceeded 30 in a season. Vernon Wells currently leads the team with 5. Nobody has 4.
- Dave Collins - 60 (1984)
- Roberto Alomar - 55 (1993)
- Damaso Garcia - 54 (1982)
- Otis Nixon - 54 (1996)
- Roberto Alomar - 53 (1991)
- Shannon Stewart - 51 (1998)
- Roberto Alomar - 49 (1992)
- Otis Nixon - 47 (1997)
- Damaso Garcia - 46 (1984)
- Lloyd Moseby - 39 (1984 & 1987)
You can keep your three run homer. I want to see a guy beat out an infield hit, steal a couple of bases and score on a squeeze play. Where have you gone, Dave Collins?
