Wednesday, July 17, 2002
Stolen bases produce runs
Boone, coaches turn thievery into art form by timing pitchers
By John Fay jfay@enquirer.com
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MILWAUKEE — As Reds manager Bob Boone puts it: “We run pretty good for a team with no speed.”
The Reds entered Tuesday ranked second in the National League in stolen bases with 66. The Reds have been caught 31 times, for a 68 percent success rate. They've run wild lately, stealing a season-high five bases Sunday against Houston and three Monday against Milwaukee. They were 2-for-2 Tuesday.
“We steal whenever we can,” Boone said. “We're constantly looking for it. If they stop it, we won't run.”
Boone and the Reds' coaching staff time pitchers' deliveries to the plate. For instance, they knew it would take Milwaukee left-hander Valerio de los Santos 2.6 seconds to deliver a pitch on an intentional walk to Austin Kearns on Monday, so Adam Dunn stole third.
“First time I've ever seen that,” Boone said of the steal on an intentional walk.
Dunn, 6-feet-6, 240 pounds, is the world's biggest running threat. He's second on the team with 12 steals and has been caught only four times.
“I wish he had two or three,” Boone said. “When you get in the teens, they start paying attention to you.”
Aaron Boone leads the Reds with 15 steals. Reggie Taylor (nine) and Barry Larkin (eight) are the only other players on the roster with more than two.
Bob Boone said the Reds don't run for running's sake.
“If you use it at strategic times, it can be gigantic,” he said. “Who leads the league (in total steals) isn't important.”
One of the biggest reasons the Reds run is to help hitters.
“You see more fastballs,” Boone said. “The pitchers use the slide-step. They don't like that it affects their stuff.”
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Stolen bases produce runs
