American League
Major League Baseball recognizes stolen base leaders in the American League and National League each season.
| Year | Player | Team(s) | Stolen Bases |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1886 | Harry Stovey | Philadelphia Athletics | 68 |
| 1887 | Hugh Nicol | Cincinnati Red Stockings | 138 |
| 1888 | Arlie Latham | St. Louis Browns | 109 |
| 1889 | Billy Hamilton | Kansas City Cowboys | 111 |
| 1890 | Tommy McCarthy | St. Louis Browns | 140 |
| 1891 | Tom Brown | Boston Reds | 106 |
| Year | Player | Team(s) | Stolen Bases |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1914 | Benny Kauff | Indianapolis Hoosiers | 75 |
| 1915 | Benny Kauff | Brooklyn Tip-Tops | 55 |
| Year | Player | Team(s) | Stolen Bases |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1890 | Harry Stovey | Boston Reds | 97 |
| Year | Player | Team(s) | Stolen Bases |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1871 | Mike McGeary | Troy Haymakers | 20 |
| 1872 | Dave Eggler | New York Mutuals | 18 |
| 1873 | Ross Barnes Ned Cuthbert | Boston Red Stockings Philadelphia White Stockings | 13 |
| 1874 | Bill Craver Andy Leonard Jim O'Rourke | Philadelphia White Stockings Boston Red Stockings Boston Red Stockings | 11 |
| 1875 | Tim Murnane | Philadelphia White Stockings | 30 |
Rickey Nelson Henley Henderson is an American former professional baseball left fielder who played 25 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for nine teams from 1979 to 2003, including four separate tenures with his original team, the Oakland Athletics. Nicknamed the "Man of Steal", he is widely regarded as baseball's greatest leadoff hitter and baserunner. He holds MLB records for career stolen bases, runs, unintentional walks and leadoff home runs. At the time of his last major league game in 2003, the ten-time American League (AL) All-Star ranked among the sport's top 100 all-time home run hitters and was its all-time leader in walks. In 2009, he was inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame on his first ballot appearance.
Louis Clark Brock was an American professional baseball left fielder. He began his 19-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the 1961 Chicago Cubs but spent most of it as a left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. An All-Star for six seasons, Brock was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on his first ballot in 1985 and was inducted into the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame in 2014.
Luis Ernesto Aparicio Montiel, nicknamed "Little Louie", is a Venezuelan former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a shortstop from 1956 to 1973 for three American League (AL) teams, most prominently the Chicago White Sox. During his ten seasons with the team, he became known for his exceptional defensive and base stealing skills. A 13-time All-Star,, he made an immediate impact with the team, winning the Rookie of the Year Award in 1956 after leading the league in stolen bases and leading AL shortstops in putouts and assists; he was the first Latin American player to win the award.
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Edward Trowbridge Collins Sr., nicknamed "Cocky", was an American professional baseball player, manager and executive. He played as a second baseman in Major League Baseball from 1906 to 1930 for the Philadelphia Athletics and Chicago White Sox. A graduate of Columbia University, Collins holds major league career records in several categories and is among the top few players in several other categories. In 1925, Collins became just the sixth person to join the 3,000 hit club – and the last for the next 17 seasons. His 47 career home runs are the fewest of anyone in it. Collins is the only non-Yankee to win five or more World Series titles with the same club as a player. He is also the only player to have been a member of all five World Series championships won by the Athletics during the franchise's time in Philadelphia.
Samuel James Tilden Sheckard was an American left fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Brooklyn Bridegrooms/Superbas, Baltimore Orioles (NL) (1899), Baltimore Orioles (AL) (1902), Chicago Cubs (1906–12), St. Louis Cardinals (1913) and Cincinnati Reds (1913).
Dagoberto Campaneris Blanco, nicknamed "Bert" or "Campy", is a Cuban American former professional baseball shortstop, who played Major League Baseball (MLB) for four American League (AL) teams, primarily the Kansas City / Oakland Athletics. One of the mainstays of the Athletics' championship teams of 1972 to 1974, he holds the A's franchise records for career games played (1795), hits (1882), and at bats (7180).
William Robert Hamilton, nicknamed Sliding Billy, was an American professional baseball player in Major League Baseball (MLB) during the 19th-century. He played for the Kansas City Cowboys, Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Beaneaters between 1888 and 1901.
Timothy Raines Sr., nicknamed "Rock", is an American professional baseball coach and former player. He played as a left fielder in Major League Baseball for six teams from 1979 to 2002 and was best known for his 13 seasons with the Montreal Expos. A seven-time All-Star, four-time stolen base champion, and National League batting champion, Raines is regarded as one of the best leadoff hitters and baserunners in baseball history. In 2013, Raines began working in the Toronto Blue Jays organization as a roving outfield and baserunning instructor. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2017.
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Willie James Wilson is an American former professional baseball player. He played 19 seasons in Major League Baseball for the Kansas City Royals, Oakland Athletics, and Chicago Cubs. He was an outfielder known for his speed and ability as an effective leadoff hitter. Wilson's career total of 668 stolen bases currently ranks him in 12th place all-time among major leaguers.
Jesse Clyde Milan was an American professional baseball player who spent his entire career as an outfielder with the Washington Senators (1907–1922). He was not a powerful batter, but was adept at getting on base and was fleet of foot, receiving the nickname "Deerfoot" for his speed. He set a modern-rules record for stolen bases in a season with 88 in 1912, a mark surpassed three years later by Ty Cobb. Milan was mostly a center fielder.
Hugh N. Nicol was a Scottish born professional baseball player. An outfielder, Nicol played in Major League Baseball for the Chicago White Stockings, St. Louis Browns, Cincinnati Red Stockings, and Cincinnati Reds. Nicol's debut game took place on May 3, 1881. His final game took place on August 2, 1890.
Robert Henry Bescher was a baseball outfielder who played 11 seasons in the major leagues. Born in London, Ohio, he played his best seasons with the Cincinnati Reds, and was one of the National League's best base stealers during his time.
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