Billy Hamilton speed in baseball
7 responses | 1 like
Started by cutworm - June 28, 2020, 2:29 p.m.
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By metmike - June 28, 2020, 2:56 p.m.
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That was very fun to watch.

Thanks for sharing cutworm!

By metmike - June 28, 2020, 4:55 p.m.
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Billy could be up there near the top for stealing bases except his career BA is only .242 and he hasn't always been in the line up every day because of this in recent years and the last several years, he stopped stealing bases as much as he had previously.

Billy Hamilton

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hamilbi02.shtml

In 2015, he had just 93 hits but an amazing 57 stolen bases and 7 of those hits were triples or homers, so out of 86 singles/doubles, he had 57 stolen bases.

That has got to be a record if they have one for that stat.


He had 8 doubles that year, so just 78 singles and 57 SB's.

I know he used some of those doubles to swipe 3rd base though which is really something because the distance to the plate is 37 feet CLOSER to 1st and 3rd base than it is 2nd base(and the pitcher doesn't have to get out of the way).

http://m.mlb.com/glossary/rules/field-dimensions

By metmike - June 28, 2020, 5:05 p.m.
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This compilation of him being thrown out must have required more time to compile.............it's quite an accomplishment with incredible throws from the catchers.

Billy Hamilton Getting Thrown Out Stealing Compilation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-qFSHwYZxk

By metmike - June 28, 2020, 5:36 p.m.
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Billy Hamilton's career best season high for stolen bases was in 2017, when he stole 59 bases.

Where did that rank on the all time list for most steals in a season.

Tied for 241st place!

Single-Season Leaders & Records for Stolen Bases

https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/SB_season.shtml


  Here is a list of the top 20 and the year that it occurred.

Wait a second, we can see the name Billy Hamilton on this list 4 times...................from 130 years ago!


RankPlayer (age that year)Stolen BasesYearBats
1.Hugh Nicol (29)1381887R
2.Rickey Henderson+ (23)1301982R
3.Arlie Latham (27)1291887R
4.Lou Brock+ (35)1181974L
5.Charlie Comiskey+ (27)1171887R
6.Billy Hamilton+ (23)1111889L
 Billy Hamilton+ (25)1111891L
 John Ward+ (27)1111887L
9.Vince Coleman (23)1101985B
10.Vince Coleman (25)1091987B
 Arlie Latham (28)1091888R
12.Rickey Henderson+ (24)1081983R
13.Vince Coleman (24)1071986B
14.Tom Brown (30)1061891L
15.Maury Wills (29)1041962B
16.Pete Browning (26)1031887R
 Hugh Nicol (30)1031888R
18.Jim Fogarty (23)1021887R
 Billy Hamilton+ (24)1021890L
20.Billy Hamilton+ (28)1001894L


And we know that it this wasn't Billy's great great grandfather.

By metmike - June 28, 2020, 8:35 p.m.
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Sliding Billy Hamilton: The First Great Run Producer


http://fromdeeprightfield.com/sliding-billy-hamilton-first-great-run-producer/


"When talking about Hamilton’s base running skills, Jack Carsey stated, “I never saw any runner get a lead-off like Billy.” Hamilton turned base stealing into the formidable offensive weapon we now see. It’s just that there aren’t many Hamiltons around to generate that kind of excitement.

At the end of his playing days, Hamilton–always a good financial steward–did well in real estate, and lived a very comfortable life. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown in 1961.

“Sliding Billy” Hamilton–The First Great Run Producer!"

Funny that he would say in 2012: "It’s just that there aren’t many Hamiltons around to generate that kind of excitement" The year before this Billy Hamilton made his debut in the MLB!


By bear - June 28, 2020, 10:51 p.m.
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loved watching him play for the reds.  not just stealing bases,  but he also could chase down a fly ball better than most others.  

By cutworm - June 28, 2020, 10:56 p.m.
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Billy ALWAYS gave it his very best.