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5 greatest baserunning threats in Boston Red Sox history

By Sean Penney

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 30: Jacoby Ellsbury #2 of the Boston Red Sox in action against the St. Louis Cardinals during Game Six of the 2013 World Series at Fenway Park on October 30, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 30: Jacoby Ellsbury #2 of the Boston Red Sox in action against the St. Louis Cardinals during Game Six of the 2013 World Series at Fenway Park on October 30, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – MARCH 30: The Opening Day stencil is seen behind home plate during a media availability at Fenway Park on March 30, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images) /

Red Sox outfielder Tommy Harper

Tommy Harper only spent three seasons in Boston but he racked up enough steals to land in the top-10 in franchise history with 107.

Harper arrived in Boston in 1972 following a two-year stint in Milwaukee that saw him make his lone All-Star appearance. He previously spent one year in Seattle when he stole a career-high 73 bases. The journeyman was on the wrong side of 30 years old when he joined the Red Sox and nearing the end of his prime but he still had wheels, swiping 25+ bases in each of his three seasons in Boston.

In 1973, Harper stole 54 bases, which at the time set a new single-season franchise record.

Harper’s 9.5 BsR during his three seasons with the Red Sox ranks eighth in franchise history. That’s an impressive achievement considering his rather limited time with the club. Harper appeared in 409 games with the Red Sox. Only Coco Crisp (19.2 BsR in 368 games) accumulated a higher BsR in fewer games.

Harper swiped plenty of bases but wasn’t particularly efficient in doing so. Even in the year he led the league with 73 steals for Seattle, he also led the league in getting caught 18 times. His 76.4% stolen base percentage is the lowest among the five candidates on this list. A mediocre success rate and the fewest games played among these players is why Harper lands at No. 5.

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