Perfect Base Stealer

A year or two ago it was Ichiro Suzuki who opened the year with an impressive streak of stolen bases without being caught (Actually--I checked, and it was the last 39 attemptes of 2006 and first 6 of 2007, for a total of 45 straight for Ichiro). This year Carl Crawford has, so far, is 22 for 22 in SB attempts (he made his last 2 attempts last year, too, for 24 straight across two seasons)--and in only 34 games! At that rate (which no one expects him to maintain), he would become the first to steal 100 bases since Vince Coleman 22 years ago, 1987. If he just gets 79, one more than Jose Reyes got two years ago, he'd have the most in a season since 1988. Crawford's career high is 59--respectable, but a long ways from 100. He had 14 in a string of nine straight games from April 28-May 6, including 1 in every game and 6 (!) on May 3 (Jayson Werth of Philly made big news yesterday stealing 4 including, 2nd, 3rd and home in one sequence in the 7th inning)

Bobby Abreu, who used to be known more for his now-absent power than for his speed, has opened a modest 13 for 13.

(P.S. It was Jimmy Rollins who opened 25 for 25 last year, before being caught stealing on July 26, three days after I jinxed him by mentioneing his 25 for 25 streak in this blog!)

(P.P.S. I jinxed Ichiro, too--he was caught the very next day after I mentioned his 45 straight streak on May 17, 2007. Keep an eye on how Crawford fares the next few games!)