Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez has set a Major League Baseball record for most steals of home in a single season. The Jet set the record Friday afternoon against the Giants when he stole home for the 9th time this season.
The steal occurred in the bottom of the ninth inning when Rodriguez was sent in to pinch run. He got the sign from third base coach Maury Wills, took a suicide lead, and made his bolt for home. The Jet was able to slide in safely before the catcher could tag him out, giving the Dodgers a walkoff 3-2 win in the series opener against the rival Giants.
The crowd and entire stadium erupted after The Jet’s steal, which was believed to be the first walkoff steal of home in over 20 years according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Immediately after the steal, Rodriguez’s teammates mobbed him at home plate and carried him off the field. It was a joyous moment for the Dodgers considering Rodriguez has been reduced to a reserve outfielder and pinch runner role after losing his once-elite speed.
Rodriguez pointed to the press box after his successful steal to acknowledge team announcer Scott Smalls. The two men famously grew up playing baseball together, and Benny has credited Smalls for helping him achieve this level of success.
As for the record books, The Jet has surpassed Ty Cobb’s record of eight steals of home in a single season. There are still 22 games left in the year for Benny to try and extend his record.
This post is a part of the Friday Film Festival at Larry Brown Sports. All contents of the story are purely fictional and based entirely off the sports movie, The Sandlot. To learn more about the movie, go here
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