KANSAS CITY, MO. — While Brian Dozier continues his pursuit of Rogers Hornsby's home-run record for second basemen, he's pulled alongside a few other legendary names with his remarkable season.
By stealing two bases Tuesday, Dozier increased his stolen-base success rate to 90.0 percent — 18 of 20 — putting him in the company of four other players with such gaudy statistics since 1950. Mickey Mantle (twice), Willie Mays, Ken Griffey Jr. and Albert Belle also had seasons with more than 40 home runs and a 90 percent success rate on the bases (minimum 10 stolen bases).
"That's very good company," Dozier said of the trio of Hall of Famers in that bunch. "I'm not worthy of that comparison, but those are pretty good names."
Dozier has become far better known for his home-run hitting this season, since only Harmon Killebrew (another Hall of Famer) had ever eclipsed 40 homers for the Twins.
With four games remaining, Dozier is still two homers shy of the record for most by a second baseman, held by Hornsby and Davey Johnson. But Dozier's an underrated base-stealer, too, said manager Paul Molitor.
"He knows when he has a chance and he's very smart about how he goes about getting it done," Molitor said. "He understands the risk/reward. He's got the freedom from me to [run] because he's proven to me he can make good choices."
Dozier said he learned that trait from yet another Hall of Famer: Molitor.
"He was never a burner, and I'm not a burner by any means. But I try to make sure the [pitcher's delivery] is over a certain time, and factor that in with the situation in the game. You look at a guy like [Cleveland's] Rajai Davis, guys like that, they can just make it with sheer speed. I'm not as fortunate to have that kind of speed, so you have to pick your spots."
