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Big League Stew

Wed May 13, 2009 11:46 am EDT

For one night, Jayson Werth goes klepto on the basepaths

By 'Duk

I've been wracking my brain all morning and short of nine straight solo homers, I can't come up with a single-inning sequence that would top Jayson Werth(notes) stealing his way around the bases (VIDEO) in the seventh inning of Tuesday night's 5-3 win over the Dodgers.

It was a rare feat, indeed. Only 49 players in MLB history have stolen all three bases in the same inning — only nine since 1942 have thieved in such a manner — and the last Phillie to do it was Pete Rose in 1980. Considering that Werth only stole 20 bases in 2008 and that Philadelphia only had 12 stolen bases coming into the game, it becomes an even more impressive rarity, like going to a game and not seeing Ryan Howard(notes) strike out.

Sure, Werth could have moved his way around the bases via walks as the Dodgers bullpen struggled (a fact that Sooze points out), but that doesn't dampen my appreciation of the achievement one bit. Today, we not only know Werth for being the outfielder with the funky facial hair or for once having a solid case to be last year's World Series MVP, but for putting his stamp on what would have been an otherwise forgettable early season game.

Says Fernando Tatis(notes): "Not bad!"  

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1109 Comments

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  1. Leaping Lindy
    1. Posted by Leaping Lindy Wed May 13, 2009 12:02 pm EDT

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    What a genius baseball move to steal home with a right handed hitter blocking the view of the catcher, inching toward home and when he throws the ball back to the pitcher takes off for home.
  2. spewing_venom619
    2. Posted by spewing_venom619 Wed May 13, 2009 12:27 pm EDT

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    Are the Dodgers gonna blame that on Manny?
  3. fuquamanuel
    3. Posted by fuquamanuel Wed May 13, 2009 12:58 pm EDT

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    Something else rare and equally noteworthy happened in last night's game: Pedro Feliz drew 4 walks.
    Werth has a lot of speed, so him stealing his way around the bases did not come close to the pure shock I felt when Pedro drew one BB after another.
  4. Brandon G- Talkhoops.net
    4. Posted by Brandon G- Talkhoops.net Wed May 13, 2009 1:00 pm EDT

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    Pete Happy walked four times? Provide video evidence or I don't believe it happened.
  5. Greg L
    5. Posted by Greg L Wed May 13, 2009 1:22 pm EDT

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    thats pretty sweet
  6. Chi Town Hustla
    6. Posted by Chi Town Hustla Wed May 13, 2009 1:26 pm EDT

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    Can't believe I dropped this guy after week 3. He is proving his ability, and will continue to do so for the rest of the year. Way to go Werth!
  7. Tyler T
    7. Posted by Tyler T Wed May 13, 2009 1:27 pm EDT

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    http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=290512122
  8. zesty_33_1970
    8. Posted by zesty_33_1970 Wed May 13, 2009 1:27 pm EDT

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    4 walks, no way! Let's see Bengie Molina do that!
    By the way, Pete Happy is the best defensive 3B in the NL and should've won a couple Gold Gloves (the Gold Glove should change it's rules to the best mix of hitting and D per position because that's what it really is.
  9. michael l
    9. Posted by michael l Wed May 13, 2009 1:29 pm EDT

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    What about Fernando Tatis hitting a grand slam from each side of the plate in the same inning? Much more impressive.
  10. Kory
    10. Posted by Kory Wed May 13, 2009 1:31 pm EDT

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    Almost as good as Crawford. Go Rays!
  11. AndyBoy
    11. Posted by AndyBoy Wed May 13, 2009 1:31 pm EDT

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    And it still wasn't sportscenters top play of the day.....ESPN is Terrible!!!!
  12. Steve
    12. Posted by Steve Wed May 13, 2009 1:32 pm EDT

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    Even though he didn't steal much last year, he's got speed. He's a fun player to watch, good in all areas of the game.
  13. SHARKSICE
    13. Posted by SHARKSICE Wed May 13, 2009 1:33 pm EDT

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    Lame. Go Giants.
  14. mike d
    14. Posted by mike d Wed May 13, 2009 1:33 pm EDT

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    ooooo thats decent!!
  15. Rich Q
    15. Posted by Rich Q Wed May 13, 2009 1:33 pm EDT

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    Great scouting by the Phils on the catcher - right-handed batter, Werth had a walking lead and they knew that the catcher was just lobbing the ball back to the pitcher. Came together perfectly!
  16. genius_man16
    16. Posted by genius_man16 Wed May 13, 2009 1:33 pm EDT

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    That's pretty sick right there. It baffled my mind that Jacob Ellsbury could steal home against the Red Sox, because of how he did it, but this makes way more sense. #1 is right, genius baseball move. I tip my hat to you Mr. Werth.
  17. o
    17. Posted by o Wed May 13, 2009 1:33 pm EDT

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    everyones wanting to steal home now after Ellsbury
  18. The Nug
    18. Posted by The Nug Wed May 13, 2009 1:33 pm EDT

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    Werth used to play for the Dodgers, so that's also kind of funny! I was just starting to like him and he got traded. Glad to see he is doing well.
  19. Donnie
    19. Posted by Donnie Wed May 13, 2009 1:33 pm EDT

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    if Jayson Werthless had been 1/2 as good as he is now, he'd still be a dodger today...
  20. Jeffro
    20. Posted by Jeffro Wed May 13, 2009 1:33 pm EDT

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    Has anyone ever stolen all 4 bases in an inning? Or even in one game?
  21. Gino V
    21. Posted by Gino V Wed May 13, 2009 1:34 pm EDT

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    Go Phillies!!!!
    Werth is a beast
  22. Client #9
    22. Posted by Client #9 Wed May 13, 2009 1:34 pm EDT

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    Getting 4 BB in a game is not even close to being as rare and noteworthy. It happens rather frequently.
  23. Nick
    23. Posted by Nick Wed May 13, 2009 1:34 pm EDT

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    Stealing home is impressive
  24. Marc L
    24. Posted by Marc L Wed May 13, 2009 1:34 pm EDT

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    thats awesome
  25. Fred
    25. Posted by Fred Wed May 13, 2009 1:34 pm EDT

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    Whilst I can not provide such video evidence. http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore;_ylt=ArXNaEv1IfG7dJuXSWrv0poRvLYF?gid=290512122 The official stats for the game, should be sufficient enough evidence for proving said feat has in fact taken place. I'm not much of a Phillies fan, and don't know much about the team,so I honestly don't know why Feliz drawing 4 walks is so unbelievable. Though I admit drawing 4 walks is very impressive, and does demonstrate a great deal of patience at the plate, or he was intentionally walked a few times.

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