Esteury Ruiz sets new American League rookie record for steals
Oct 2, 2023, 9:34 AM | Updated: 9:35 am
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 01: Esteury Ruiz #1 of the Oakland Athletics steals third base against Michael Stefanic #38 of the Los Angeles Angels in the third inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on October 01, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Esteury Ruiz did it.
On Sunday, the Oakland Athletics faced off against the Los Angeles Angels. With two games left in the 2023 season, Ruiz needed only one steal to set a new American League rookie record.
And in the third inning Sunday, Ruiz broke that record, stealing his 67th base of the season.
— Oakland A’s (@Athletics) October 1, 2023
The record of 66 was previously held by Kenny Lofton, which he set in 1992.
After the game, A’s manager Mark Kotsay told reporters about Ruiz’s routine, studying film and analyzing pitchers’ tendencies.
“He’s relentless in his preparation. The reward is that now he’s the all-time AL rookie leader for stolen bases.”
Along with his steal, Ruiz ended his day with a walk and a RBI in the A’s 7-3 loss.
Esteury Ruiz made the franchise record books earlier this season when he broke a 46-year-old franchise rookie steal record that was previously set by Mitchell Page in 1977.
This is the first time an A’s player has stolen over 60 bases in a season since Rickey Henderson did it in 1998. If Esteury Ruiz plays a full season next year, he may have a shot at reaching the A’s franchise record of 130 steals this season, which was set by Rickey Henderson in 1982.
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