Greatest stolen base in Yankee history!

terrynever

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Inspired by a similar post in the Red Sox forum. I vote for Johnny Damon’s double steal in the 2009 World Series, which swung momentum in the game and the series. There must be others, although the Yankees were never known for base-stealing. Perhaps their most famous attempt was Babe Ruth getting thrown out trying to steal second in the 1926 World Series.

From MLB.com:
Johnny Damon, Yankees
2009 World Series Game 4 at Phillies
Trailing the Yankees two games to one in the World Series, the Phillies tied up Game 4 on Pedro Feliz’s two-out solo homer in the bottom of the eighth inning and were one out away from bringing their offense back to the plate in the ninth. That's when Damon stepped into the batter's box and changed the course of the game.
After lacing a single off Brad Lidge, Damon immediately took off on the next pitch and stole second with ease, then realized that nobody was covering third base due to Philadelphia’s shift on Mark Teixeira. Damon popped up from his slide and took third as well, completing a stunning double steal. Two batters later, Damon scored the go-ahead run on Alex Rodriguez’s double, and New York took a 3-1 series lead en route to its 27th World Series title.
 

terrynever

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I remember that one. He would have scored from 2nd on that double. Maybe also from first?
If Dave Roberts had jumped up and stolen third, his efforts would have been equal to Damon’s double steal, which happened in a World Series.

I bring this up as pandemic humor, not to be taken too seriously.
 

Lose Remerswaal

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Efforts? Yes. Ultimate change in the lives of millions of team fans? No.

If Roberts is out, the Sox don't win their first WS in 86 years
If Damon is out, maybe the Yanks don't win their first WS in a decade.
 

SemperFidelisSox

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The Yankees have been on the receiving end of some of the greatest stolen bases in history.

Jackie Robinson stealing home in the ‘51 World Series
Dave Roberts in ‘04
Rickey Henderson breaking Lou Brock’s record in ‘91.

Damon is the clear winner of biggest in team history.
 

jon abbey

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Efforts? Yes. Ultimate change in the lives of millions of team fans? No.

If Roberts is out, the Sox don't win their first WS in 86 years
If Damon is out, maybe the Yanks don't win their first WS in a decade.
Terry was joking.
 

terrynever

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The Yankees have been on the receiving end of some of the greatest stolen bases in history.

Jackie Robinson stealing home in the ‘51 World Series
Dave Roberts in ‘04
Rickey Henderson breaking Lou Brock’s record in ‘91.

Damon is the clear winner of biggest in team history.
Jackie‘s steal came in the 1955 Series.
 

terrynever

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Efforts? Yes. Ultimate change in the lives of millions of team fans? No.

If Roberts is out, the Sox don't win their first WS in 86 years
If Damon is out, maybe the Yanks don't win their first WS in a decade.
Roberts‘ steal was about the first thing Boston got right in the 2004 ALCS. Sort of opened the floodgates, but the Sox still had to win that game and three more. But you’re right. They’re dead in 2004 without his steal of second. What’s forgotten is the great throw by Posada that made it a bang-bang play.
 

Humphrey

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Mickey Rivers stole second after a rattled Mike Torrez walked him in the playoff game in 1978 following Bucky Dent's 3 run homer.

Thurman Munson then delivered Rivers with a base hit (off of Bob Stanley, who replaced Torrez after the walk).

Remember the Yanks won, 5-4; that run and Reggie Jackson's solo homer made the ultimate difference.
 

terrynever

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Mickey Rivers stole second after a rattled Mike Torrez walked him in the playoff game in 1978 following Bucky Dent's 3 run homer.

Thurman Munson then delivered Rivers with a base hit (off of Bob Stanley, who replaced Torrez after the walk).

Remember the Yanks won, 5-4; that run and Reggie Jackson's solo homer made the ultimate difference.
Great point. In terms of value, that compares favorably to Roberts and Damon with a world series championship going to all three.
 

Lose Remerswaal

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Roberts‘ steal was about the first thing Boston got right in the 2004 ALCS. Sort of opened the floodgates, but the Sox still had to win that game and three more. But you’re right. They’re dead in 2004 without his steal of second. What’s forgotten is the great throw by Posada that made it a bang-bang play.
Please don't remind me, I have nightmares that he was out by like a foot.
 

terrynever

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Please don't remind me, I have nightmares that he was out by like a foot.
If the call had gone the other way, Red Sox fans would have complained briefly and went to bed. Who could have forecast the greatest single-series comeback in baseball history?
 

terrynever

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Yogi obviously thought so. Yanks won the game 6-5. It was Game 1. Yanks, who had beat Brooklyn in all five of their previous Series matchups, also won Game 2. Brooklyn then became the first Series champ to erase an 0-2 game deficit. The Dodgers winning that Series was very similar to Boston winning in 2004. Two loyal fan bases, frustrated by the Yankees for many years, finally breaking through. This was my first World Series where I knew who the players were. I was 8 and disappointed for about 10 minutes.
 

jaytftwofive

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I still kind of liked Damon, even on the Yankees because of his full page Thank You to Red Sox fans. I came very close to rooting for the Yankees(bite your tongue) in the 09 WS. I live in the Philly area and hardly any fan thought the Yanks would win. Mostly provincial homers. When I had the terrible audacity to pick the Yanks in six, you would have thought I insulted their mother or something. "You're nuts, you don't know what you're talking about" Well the Yanks won in six. Couldn't do it though, just couldn't root for the Yanks. I don't care for Johnny now because even though he played four years for the Sox and four for the Yanks, he now says he roots for Yanks because he still holds a grudge against John Henry. Oh well.
 

jaytftwofive

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Mickey Rivers stole second after a rattled Mike Torrez walked him in the playoff game in 1978 following Bucky Dent's 3 run homer.

Thurman Munson then delivered Rivers with a base hit (off of Bob Stanley, who replaced Torrez after the walk).

Remember the Yanks won, 5-4; that run and Reggie Jackson's solo homer made the ultimate difference.
Yes I remember, don't remind us. Why was Piniella playing so deep on Lynn? How the hell did he catch that ball on a bounce in the sun on Remy's hit? Oh the pain!