FanNation

SPEED IS EXCITING

The Giants new first-base coach and running instructor, Roberto Kelly, challenged the San Franciscans to run more in 2008, with these three words - “speed is exciting,” and so far in 33 games the un-juiced Giants lead the majors with 38 stolen bases.

The Giants are on pace to swipe 192, or 73 more than last year, when the Mets led the majors with 200. But it seems as if most teams are trying to run more, further proof that the distortion caused by the Steroid Era is finally over and skills are coming back.

The Angels lead the AL with 32 steals and have hit 35 homers. The Red Sox have 29 homers and 26 steals. How’s that for balance?

Yet, the Diamondbacks, baseballs’ number one team, is still doing it the old-fashioned way. They are 21st in the majors with only 15 stolen bases, but fifth in the majors with 37 homers.

Here’s a look at this decade’s speed and power numbers:

Thus far this year the average team has played 33 games and stolen 20 bases and hit 29 homers; this projects to around 100 stolen bases and 150 homers which means that fortunately things are starting to even out.

Teams that are stealing frequently are seeing mostly positive results. Here are the top ten teams with their stolen base total and their team record to date:

Individuals who are stealing frequently are seeing mixed results in terms of team success:

• The Rockies’ (12-21) Willy Taveras leads the majors with 14 stolen bases.
• The Astros’ (17-16) Michael Bourn has 13.
• The Twins’ (16-15) Carlos Gomez has 13.
• The Mariners’ (14-20) Ichiro has 13.

So while early results are inconclusive, we can at this point draw two conclusions: teams seem to be stealing more and speed is indeed exciting.

Bill Chuck is the creator of Billy-Ball.com and, with Jim Kaplan, is the author of the book, “Walk-Offs, Last Licks, and Final Outs – Baseball’s Grand (and not so Grand) Finales,” with a Foreword by Jon Miller, published by ACTA Sports, and available worldwide. Autographed first editions are available by contacting, Bill@billy-ball.com or order directly from Acta Sports, http://www.actasports.com/detail.html?&id=3427 or from your favorite bookstore.