Post by Shane on May 4, 2023 22:28:50 GMT -6
St. Louis, MO - There is a rumbling on the American League side of St. Louis and that rumbling includes the name Max Carey. Some believe he's approaching a precipice that may be untouchable by another player in baseball simply because he shows no signs of slowing down. And we mean that literally. You see, Carey, is what some call a "speed demon."
Max Carey, 30, was drafted by the St. Louis Browns as the #1 overall pick in 1908 draft and he has not disappointed. Everyone knows the struggles the Browns have faced over the years, yet, he as signed three extensions and is in the midst of his current five-year extension he signed on April 4, 1919.
"I just like the town, the people, my teammates," is Carey's response when asked about his tenure.
So you may be asking yourself what all this rumbling is about. Carey just finished his 11th big league season. Of those 11 seasons he has finished as the stolen base leader seven times. Of his 10 full time seasons his lowest total in steals is 79, yes, 79. As the 1920 season came to a close his stolen base total currently sits at a whopping 895. Yes, you read that right. Simply put, if over the next couple of seasons he keeps his pace up he will easily surpass 1000 career steals.
"I try not think of that to much," Carey says, when asked about it, "I just try to do what I can to help my team win. God blessed me with speed so I use it. But if I'm able to get that many and do it with the same team would be pretty amazing and a blessing."
He knows that he was put on the trade block during this past season and said he understood the Browns' position. But after some big time trades went down the need to trade him isn't really there any more and he's hoping he can stay put. There was no response from Browns brass before the publishing of this story on that front.
He currently sits third in steals behind 1. Billy Hamilton with 1079 and 2. John McGraw with 904. He should move into second during 1921. Both of those players are in the Hall of Fame. That could very easily be the same road Max Carey is heading.