This Day In Dodgers History: Maury Wills Breaks National League Record For Stolen Bases; Shawn Green Becomes Single-Season Leader In Home Runs

On Sept. 7, 1962, Maury Wills broke the modern National League record for stolen bases in a season with his 82nd swipe. It was part of a four-stolen base effort in the Los Angeles Dodgers 10-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The previous mark had been held by Cincinnati Reds left fielder Bob Bescher, who stole 81 bases during the 1911 season.

Wills went 2-for-3 in the game and added a walk. Despite the four stolen bases while reaching three times, Willis did not score a run during the game. The only run the Dodgers scored came off a solo home run from Frank Howard.

The 1962 MVP went on to steal 104 bases during the season, which stood as the NL record until St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Lou Brock stole 118 stolen bases 12 years later.

Oakland Athletics Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson holds the modern MLB record with 130 stolen bases during the 1982 season. Cincinnati Red Stockings outfielder Hugh Nicol stole 138 bases in 1887, but that was when stolen bases were credited to a baserunner who reached an extra base on a hit from another player.

Wills stole 586 stolen bases during his 14 MLB seasons — 490 of which came with the Dodgers. The seven-time All-Star also played two seasons with the Pirates and one with the Montreal Expos.

Green becomes Dodgers’ single-season home run leader

Also on this day in 2001, Shawn Green belted two home runs against the Cardinals to become the Dodgers’ all-time single-season leader with 44.

He finished the game 4-for-5 with three runs scored, three RBI and a stolen base in the Dodgers 7-1 victory.

Green went on to hit 49 that season and still holds the club record, which was challenged by Adrian Beltre in 2004 (48) and Cody Bellinger in 2019 (47).

Green batted .280/.366/.510 with 183 doubles, 162 home runs and 509 RBI in 798 games across five seasons with the Dodgers. He finished his career with 328 home runs.