Insanely talented with an impish grin is no way to go through life, son. Oh wait, it actually sounds like a terrific way to go through life. Shine on, you crazy diamond. Stealing bases off a clearly distracted pitcher while pitching seven shutout innings of your own, helping your threadbare roster put up a much-needed W? Just keep doing you, Cliff.
MLB.com link to full video of Cliff Lee’s deft theft.
Update:for reference, here is an active player leaderboard for steals by pitchers. Cliff Lee is the only pitcher with multiple steals never to be caught. Because he’s the best, you see.
| Rk | Player | SB | From | To | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | HBP | CS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ted Lilly | 3 | 1999 | 2012 | 388 | 35 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 8 | 144 | 1 | 2 | .102 | .125 | .126 | .251 |
| 2 | Oliver Perez | 3 | 2002 | 2012 | 396 | 54 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 14 | 116 | 0 | 1 | .158 | .190 | .161 | .352 |
| 3 | Cliff Lee | 2 | 2002 | 2012 | 224 | 34 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 3 | 76 | 0 | 0 | .164 | .175 | .222 | .398 |
| 4 | Randy Wolf | 2 | 1999 | 2012 | 808 | 127 | 33 | 0 | 5 | 58 | 32 | 219 | 2 | 1 | .185 | .221 | .255 | .476 |
Because I am lazy….how rare are pitcher stolen bases?
Lee has two on his career, tied for second among active pitchers.
Please tell me Zambrano is first…..
-1 to Not Sure. The chart is right there. Read it.
In fairness, the post first went up without the chart. It probably wasn’t there when that comment got posted.
I love Cliff Lee, I love Cliff Lee, I love Cliff Lee. So much.
After Ted Lilly was caught stealing, his manager asked what he was thinking and he said, “I’m trying to win the game.”
I bet George Clooney would have more than 2 wins though.
Love George Clooney – great in all the “Oceans” movies.
–Oshawa Ollie
Not included: Lee also stole a base in the ’09 playoffs as a pinch runner.
Wait Randy Wolf has 32 walks?