With Ronald Acuna Jr. running wild, here's a look at the last 5 Braves with 60 steals

At this point, Atlanta Braves fans do not need any convincing that Ronald Acuna Jr. is one of the most dynamic players in all of baseball. From his tape measure homers to the havoc he causes on the basepaths to his cannon of an arm in the outfield, he is liable to change the course of a game at any given moment. However, what is particularly special about his 2023 season is what he has been doing when it comes to stealing bases this season.

Through 127 games this season, Ronnie currently sits at 58 stolen bases which is already the 8th highest stolen base in franchise history. Even though a fabled 40/40 season seems to be slipping away (although still not impossible), 60+ steals is a mortal lock barring an injury and that will put him in some sparse company in franchise history as that has only been done seven times in Braves history with a couple players pulling the trick off twice.

Here is a look at the last 5 Braves players to steal 60 bases in a season

Otis Nixon

While most of the high stolen base totals from Braves players came in the late 1800's, one contemporary name that did pull the trick off in Otis Nixon when he stole 72 bags in 1991. Nixon was kinda awesome that year other than in the power department with a .297/.371/.327 line. Unfortunately, Nixon's time with the Braves was short and he has dealt with several issues in his personal life both during his playing days as well as after retirement.

Billy Hamilton

No, not the Billy Hamilton that played in a handful of games for the Braves back in 2019, although this Billy Hamilton could really run, too. Hamilton played for Boston Beaneaters from 1896-1901 and he put up back to back 60+ steal seasons his first two years with the franchise. Funnily enough, those numbers were actually a bit of a drop-off from his prime as he had four seasons with 100 steals or more earlier in his career.

Herman Long

Herman Long is the next guy that Ronald Acuna Jr. is about to pass on the Braves' franchise single season steals list as he stole 60 bags back in 1891. Long was a long-time contributor for the franchise as he played for them from 1890-1902 and posted a very respectable (especially for the time period he played) .727 OPS along the way. All in all, Long produced 36.6 rWAR in his career, although he also the record holder for the most errors in his career with a whooping 1,096 of them.

Tom Gordon

After Ronnie passes Long, Tom Gordon is next up on the list as he stole 63 bases for Boston back in 1889. Gordon's total is particularly remarkable given that he only played in 90 games that season and his hitting left something to be desired. However, the man could flat out run and he put together a lengthy 17 year journeyman career where he ended up stealing 658 bases including six 60+ stolen base seasons.

King Kelly

Finally, we come to the franchise single season record holder for the Braves in King Kelly. Kelly stole 68 bases in 1889 (that 1889 team seems like it would have been fun to watch run wild), but his 84 steals in 1887 is tops in franchise history as he edged out Hamilton's 1896 season by a single steal. Kelly was one of the better all-around players of his era and his .806 career OPS was enough to get him elected to Cooperstown back in 1945.

More Braves News from House That Hank Built