Lucky 13: Rookie-level Marlins affiliate nabs baker's dozen of stolen bases
On the Fourth of July, the proverbial fireworks were on the basepaths in Florida.
The Marlins’ Rookie-level Florida Complex League team stole a staggering 13 bases in Thursday's 7-3 win over the FCL Mets at the Roger Dean Stadium complex. Eight players had at least one steal with 19-year-olds Jose Monserrate and Toby Simmons leading the way with three apiece and Andres Valor, Miami's No. 16 prospect, adding two more.
Just how rare is this? Let’s start with looking at MLB’s historical precedent. In AL/NL history, there have been two cases of a team stealing at least 13 bases in a game, both coming more than 100 years ago.
In September 1911, the New York Highlanders -- now known as the Yankees -- stole 15 bases in an 18-12 win over the St. Louis Browns (now known as the Baltimore Orioles). And in June 1907, the Washington Nationals -- who became the current Minnesota Twins rather than the modern Nationals -- stole 13 bags in a 16-5 win over the Highlanders. The most steals by any MLB team in a game this season is nine, amassed by the Red Sox in a 9-3 win over the Yankees on June 16.
It's a little less rare in the Minor Leagues, but not by much. Over at least the past 20 seasons, there had only been one instance of a Minor League team having 13-plus steals in a game prior to Thursday's game. In July 9, 2009, the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League Rockies collected 13 of them in an 8-7 win over the DSL Padres.
So it’s not a stretch to say that this particular holiday for the Marlins affiliate was one for the record books.