On This Day in 2009: Dexter Fowler Ties Rookie Stolen Base Record

Beloved former Chicago Cub and 2016 world champion Dexter Fowler was a more prolific base stealer in his first full MLB season than he is today. On this day in 2009, Fowler tied Damian Jackson‘s modern MLB rookie record (since 1900) with five steals in one game during the Colorado Rockies’ 12-7 victory over the San Diego Padres at Coors Field. 

Fowler’s performance ultimately fell short of the Rockies’ franchise record for steals in a game, held by Eric Young with his six robberies against the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 30, 1996, also at Coors. The Rockies also set their team record for steals in a game with ten.

Fowler went on to nab 27 bags in 2009 in 37 attempts, a career high. He has only stolen 20 or more bases one other season, during his first year with the Cubs in 2015. These high-water marks mean that Fowler is currently averaging a respectable 17 steals per season. Fowler is heading into his age-34 season, provided games are played this year, and is projected to steal a mere six bases by Baseball Reference, which means this average is likely to go down for the remainder of his MLB career.