Jacoby Ellsbury

Many have noted that Jacoby Ellsbury is poised to break the Red Sox single season record for stolen bases with his next (which will be his 54th on the season). My question was to wonder where Jacoby stands on the Red Sox all-time stole base list?

It turn out that even though he's just in his 3rd season (2nd full season) with the Red Sox - Ellsbury is already 7th all-time in stolen bases for Boston. His 112 stolen bases place him just behind Freddy Parent who played with Boston when they were known as the Americans, Pilgrims and in his last year in Boston as the Red Sox. Freddy and his 129 stolen bases could be passed this year. Next season, if Ellsbury remains healthy, he should catch Larry Gardner and his 134 SB and Heinie Wagner and his 141 SB. Parent, Gardner and Wagner all played 100 years ago!

I was surprised to learn that Carl Yastrzemski is 3rd on the list with 168 SB. I only knew Captain Carl from late in his career and never would have pegged him as a base stealer. Yaz could be caught next season but I'm guessing it would take some time for Ellsbury to catch Tris Speaker (267) and Harry Hooper (300).

As impressive as Ellsbury's base stealing has been - his rapid ascent on the Red Sox all-time list really just goes to show how little Boston has valued the stolen base over the decades.