Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael Schatz
Baseball’s greatest base stealers revolutionized the game with their speed, instincts, and ability to disrupt opposing teams. From Rickey Henderson’s record-breaking achievements to the pioneering efforts of Maury Wills, these players changed how baseball was played. Here are the 11 most prolific base stealers in MLB history.
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1. Rickey Henderson
The greatest base stealer in baseball history, Henderson amassed an incredible 1,406 stolen bases over his 25-year career. He led the American League in steals 12 times and set the single-season record with 130 steals in 1982. His combination of speed, baserunning instincts, and durability made him nearly impossible to stop, maintaining an impressive 80.8% success rate throughout his career.
2. Lou Brock
Before Henderson, Brock held the all-time stolen base record with 938 steals. During his 19-year career with the Cardinals, he set the single-season record with 118 steals in 1974 and led the National League in steals eight times. His aggressive baserunning style and 75.3% success rate made him one of baseball’s most feared runners.
3. Billy Hamilton
Playing from 1888-1901, Hamilton set stolen base records that stood for decades. He stole 914 bases (by modern accounting) and held the single-season record with 111 steals in 1891. Despite playing under different rules and conditions, Hamilton’s speed and baserunning instincts were legendary, averaging 99 steals per 162 games.
4. Ty Cobb
The legendary Ty Cobb combined blazing speed with fierce competitiveness to steal 897 bases during his career (1905-1928). He led the American League in steals six times and held the record until Brock broke it. Cobb’s aggressive baserunning style and ability to take extra bases helped him score an incredible 2,244 runs in his career.
5. Eddie Collins
A brilliant baserunner of the Dead Ball Era (1906-1930), Collins combined speed with exceptional baseball intelligence to steal 744 bases. He led the American League in steals four times and was known for taking extra bases through smart baserunning rather than pure speed, maintaining one of the highest success rates of his era.
6. Tim Raines
“Rock” Raines stole bases with remarkable efficiency, maintaining an 84.7% success rate across his career (1979-2002). He led the National League in steals four consecutive seasons with the Montreal Expos and stole 70+ bases for six straight years, showcasing his consistency and masterful ability to read pitchers.
7. Vince Coleman
Coleman exploded onto the scene with three consecutive 100+ steal seasons (1985-1987) for the Cardinals. His rookie campaign featured 110 steals, setting a rookie record that still stands. Coleman led the National League in steals six straight seasons, accumulating 752 career steals in just 13 seasons.
8. Kenny Lofton
Lofton combined elite speed with exceptional baseball IQ during his 17-year career. He led the American League in steals five consecutive seasons (1992-1996) with the Cleveland Indians. His 622 steals came with an impressive 79.5% success rate, making him one of the most effective baserunners of his generation.
9. Bert Campaneris
The Cuban speedster dominated the basepaths during the 1960s and 1970s, leading the American League in steals six times between 1965-1972 with the Athletics. His peak season came in 1969 with 62 steals. Campaneris’s aggressive baserunning style and quick acceleration made him a constant threat to run.
10. Willie Wilson
Wilson’s blazing speed made him one of baseball’s most exciting players during his prime with the Royals. His best season came in 1979 with 83 steals. Wilson maintained a solid 75% success rate throughout his career and led the American League in triples five times, showcasing his exceptional speed.
11. Maury Wills
Wills revolutionized baseball’s running game when he shattered Ty Cobb’s single-season record by stealing 104 bases in 1962. This achievement helped revive the stolen base as a strategic weapon in baseball. He led the National League in steals six consecutive seasons (1960-1965) and finished with a 73.8% success rate.