On this date June 27 in 1984 Johnnie B. “Dusty” Baker had a really good day on the base paths – a day that was as unexpected as it was historic.
Baker, at 35-years-old, was in his 17th major league season. He had 131 stolen bases on his MLB resume, but was no longer considered a base-stealing threat. In fact, going into that day’s contest against the Reds, Baker had played in 38 (of the Giants’ 76) games on the season and had yet to even attempt a steal. In the third inning of that game, however, Baker gave the fans, his teammates and the Reds an historic surprise.
After hitting a run-scoring single off Red starter Frank Pastore (to put San Francisco up 4-0), Baker stole second base. 3B Joel Youngblood then grounded out short-to-first (for the second out of the inning), with Baker holding at second. After C Bob Brenly walked, Bob Owchinko came on to pitch and the Giants executed a double steal (Baker swiping third and Brenly taking second). Then, with 2B Brad Wellman at the plate, Baker swiped home – bec0ming just the 36th player in MLB history to swipe second, third and home in one inning. (To date it has been accomplished 53 timers by 43 different players.)
For those who like to know such things, Baker went on to appear in a total of 100 games that season. He attempted two more steals (caught once). So, for the 1984 season, Baker had a total of four stolen bases – three in one inning. Baker played two more seasons (194 games), attempting four more steals (successful twice). But on this date in 1984, he ran wild against the Reds.
In a 19-season MLB playing career, Baker hit .278 (1,981 hits), with 242 home runs (a high of 30 in 1977) and 1,013 RBI (a high of 99 in 1973). He also stole 137 bases, with a high of 24 in 1973. Since retiring as a player, he has managed in the major leagues 22 seasons (most recently in 2017) for the Giants, Cubs, Reds and Nationals.
A side note on how the game has changed. MLB saw 39 steals of second, third and home in one inning prior to 1940 – only 14 since them.
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Players to Steal Second, Third and Home in an Inning
More Than Once
Ty Cobb (4X), Tigers 1909, 1911, 1912, 1924
Honus Wagner (4X), Colonels, Pirates 1899, 1902, 1907. 1909
Max Carey ( 2X), Pirates 1923, 1925
Jackie Tavener (2X), Tigers 1927, 1928
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John McGraw, Orioles 1899
Dave Fultz, Athletics 1902
Bill Donovan, Tigers 1906
Bill Coughlin, Tigers 1906
Sherry Magee, Phillies 1906
Hans Lobert, Reds 1908
Bill O’Hara, Giants 1909
Dode Paskert, Reds 1910
Bobby Byrne, Pirates 1911
Joe Jackson, Indians 1912
Eddie Collins, Athletics 1912
Eddie Ainsmith, Senators 1913
Ivey Wingo, Cardinals 1913
Red Smith, Dodgers 1914
Fritz Maisel, Yankees 1915
Red Faber, White Sox 1915
Danny Moeller, Senators 1915
Wilbur Good, Cubs 1915
Art Fletcher, Giants 1916
Jimmy Johnston, Dodgers 1916
Rogers Hornsby Cardinals 1917
Greasy Neal, Reds 1919
Buck Weaver, White Sox 1919
Braggo Roth, Senators 1920
Kiki Cuyler, Pirates 1925
Bob Meusel, Yankees 1927
Harvey Hendrick, Dodgers 1928
Don Kolloway, White Sox 1941
Rod Carew, Twins 1969
Dave Nelson, Rangers 1974
Pete Rose, Phillies 1980
Dusty Baker, Giants 1984
Paul Molitor, Brewers 1987
Devon White, Angels 1989
Chris Stynes, Royals 1996
Eric Young, Rockies 1996
Jayson Werth, Phillies 2009
Dee Gordon, Dodgers 2011
Wil Myers, Padres 2017
Kevin Pillar, Blue Jays 2018
Mallex Smith, Mariners 2019
Primary Resources: Baseball-Reference.com; MLB.com; Baseball-Almanac.com
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