Fastest Players in MLB History

These fastest baseball players had legendary speed.

There’s something different about baseball speed. It’s more nuanced. It’s a combination of learned skill and innate talent. In football, speed is essentially judged by how fast you can run in a straight line. In basketball, there’s never really been a trusted metric for speed, and it’s more about quickness.

But in baseball, truly elite speed can turn the game into a piece of art. And while there are metrics in baseball to measure speed, sometimes you just have to believe what your eyes are telling you and throw away the numbers.

These are the fastest players in Major League Baseball history.

30. Delino Deshields

Was there a Delino Deshields card in every pack of 1990 Fleer? Mark Duncan / AP Photo

Born: Jan. 15, 1969 (Seaford, Delaware)

Position: Second base

Bats: Left

MLB career: 13 seasons (1990-2002)

Teams: Montreal Expos (1990-93), Los Angeles Dodgers (1994-96), St. Louis Cardinals (1997-98), Baltimore Orioles (1999-2001), Chicago Cubs (2001-02)

Career highlights: National League Rookie of the Year runner-up (1990)

Bottom Line: Delino Deshields

Chicago Cubs’ Delino DeShields follows a two-run home run. Stephen J. Carrera / AP Photo

Delino Deshields built his career on speed and was a much better hitter than he got credit for.

But his career was defined by one of the worst trades in MLB history when the Expos traded him to the Dodgers, straight up, for a young Pedro Martinez.

Deshields has two children who also became professional athletes. Delino Deshields Jr. plays for the Cleveland Indians, and Diamond Deshields plays for the WNBA’s Chicago Sky.

29. Bradley Zimmer

Bradley Zimmer was the No. 21 overall pick in the 2014 MLB draft. Tony Dejak / AP Photo

Born: Nov. 27, 1992 (San Diego, California)

Position: Center field

Bats: Left

MLB career: 4 seasons (2017-present)

Teams: Cleveland Indians

Career highlights: All-Star Futures Game (2015), MLB draft No. 21 overall pick (2014)

Bottom Line: Bradley Zimmer

Bradley Zimmer has battled injuries throughout his career. Charlie Riedel / AP Photo

The younger brother of Kansas City Royals pitcher and fellow first-round draft pick Kyle Zimmer, Bradley Zimmer has battled through injuries the last few seasons, but he showed off his speed before that.

Using advanced metrics, Zimmer was clocked at a blazing 29.88 feet per second on the basepaths during the 2017 season.

If he can ever get right, we know from his performance in the minors that he can be a terror on the basepaths.

28. Paulo Orlando

Paulo Orlando was a youth track star in Brazil. Charlie Riedel / AP Photo

Born: Nov. 1, 1985 (Sao Paulo, Brazil)

Position: Outfield

Bats: Right

MLB career: 4 seasons (2015-18)

Teams: Kansas City Royals

Career highlights: World Series champion (2015)

Bottom Line: Paulo Orlando

Paulo Orlando won a World Series title with the Kansas City Royals in 2015. Lenny Ignelzi / AP Photo

Baseball is an obscure sport in Paulo Orlando’s native Brazil — one abandoned by most boys at a young age to focus on soccer.

Orlando’s speed on the diamond was so unique that a doctor in one of the Japanese communities in Brazil, where baseball was the most popular, told his mother he had a future in the sport.

We actually have some solid numbers on exactly how fast Orlando is because he was also a track star at one point. He ran the 200-meter dash in 21 seconds and the 400 in 46.36 seconds for the Brazilian Youth Olympic Team.

27. Otis Nixon

Otis Nixon played 17 seasons in the majors and never made an All-Star team. AP Photo

Born: Jan. 9, 1959 (Evergreen, North Carolina)

Position: Outfield

Bats: Switch

MLB career: 17 seasons (1983-99)

Teams: New York Yankees (1983), Cleveland Indians (1984-87), Montreal Expos (1988-90), Atlanta Braves (1991-93, 1999), Boston Red Sox (1994), Texas Rangers (1995), Toronto Blue Jays (1996-97), Los Angeles Dodgers (1997), Minnesota Twins (1998)

Career highlights: Two-time National League champion (1992, 1999)

Bottom Line: Otis Nixon

Otis Nixon has the MLB record for most stolen bases without making an All-Star team. Doug Mills

Otis Nixon racked up 620 stolen bases over his 17-year career, an off-the-charts average of 59 stolen bases per year.

Nixon, who never won a World Series, actually holds the record for most stolen bases without ever making an All-Star team.

He also holds one of the cooler stathead records of all time — he recorded the most stolen bases (50) with the fewest at-bats (263) in MLB history in 1990 with the Montreal Expos.

26. Terrance Gore

Terrance Gore made his name as a pinch runner for the Kansas City Royals. Ed Zunga / AP Photo

Born: June 8, 1991 (Macon, Georgia)

Position: Outfield

Bats: Right

MLB career: 7 seasons (2014-present)

Teams: Kansas City Royals (2014-17, 2019), Chicago Cubs (2018), Los Angeles Dodgers (2020-present)

Career highlights: World Series champion (2015)

Bottom Line: Terrance Gore

Terrance Gore turned his back on college football to pursue a baseball career. Nam Y. Huh / AP Photo

Terrance Gore made his name on speed and speed alone as part of back-to-back American League championship teams for the Kansas City Royals, including a World Series win in 2015.

Gore turned down scholarship offers from big-time college football programs to play baseball. He spent one season at Gulf Coast Community College and stole 51 bases in 54 attempts before being drafted by the Royals in the 20th round in 2011.

25. Brett Gardner

Brett Gardner won a World Series with the Yankees in 2009. Jim Mone / AP Photo

Born: Aug. 24, 1983 (Holy Hill, South Carolina)

Position: Outfield

Bats: Left

MLB career: 13 seasons (2008-present)

Teams: New York Yankees

Career highlights: World Series champion (2015), All-Star (2015), Gold Glove Award (2016), three-time Fielding Bible Award winner (2010, 2011, 2017)

Bottom Line: Brett Gardner

Brett Gardner has been clocked at 3.5 seconds from home plate to first base. Jeff Zelevansky / AP Photo

Brett Gardner has a more than respectable career Wins Above Replacement of 42.8, due in large part to his speed. Gardner led the American League in stolen bases in 2011 and triples in 2013, two of the great, concrete stats to measure speed.

Gardner, who has been clocked at 3.5 seconds from home plate to first base, also has incredible discipline at the plate that helps him take advantage of his speed.

He continually ranks among the American League’s leaders in pitches seen per at-bat.

24. Bo Jackson

Bo Jackson didn’t have to use his scary-fast speed much in baseball because he was a power hitter. Reed Saxon / AP Photo

Born: Nov. 30, 1962 (Bessemer, Alabama)

Position: Outfield

Bats: Right

MLB career: 8 seasons (1986-91, 1993-94)

Teams: Kansas City Royals (1986-90), Chicago White Sox (1991, 1993), California Angels (1994)

Career highlights: MLB All-Star Game MVP (1989), All-Star (1989)

Bottom Line: Bo Jacksonm

Bo Jackson snapped baseball bats over his knee like twigs. Bill Janscha / AP Photo

Bo Jackson was scary fast. Just look at his runs during his football career as a Heisman Trophy winner at Auburn and Pro Bowl running back for the Los Angeles Raiders.

In the majors, it seemed like we got our best glimpses at his speed when he was playing in the outfield and not on the basepaths, which was mainly because Jackson was a power hitter.

23. Curtis Granderson

Curtis Granderson is an all-time MLB nice guy. Duane Burleson / AP Photo

Born: March 16, 1981 (Blue Island, Illinois)

Position: Outfield

Bats: Left

MLB career: 16 seasons (2004-19)

Teams: Detroit Tigers (2004-09), New York Yankees (2010-13), New York Mets (2014-17), Los Angeles Dodgers (2017), Toronto Blue Jays (2018), Milwaukee Brewers (2018), Miami Marlins (2019)

Career highlights: Three-time All-Star (2009, 2011, 2012), Silver Slugger Award (2011), Roberto Clemente Award (2016)

Bottom Line: Curtis Granderson

Curtis Granderson utilized his speed in the outfield and stretched base hits into doubles and triples. Duane Burleson / AP Photo

While we loved Curtis Granderson for his speed, it should also be pointed out that he is widely regarded as one of the kindest, most giving players in MLB history.

Granderson’s speed didn’t result in lots of stolen bases — more like doubles and triples. Granderson led the American League in triples twice and averaged 27 doubles per year over 16 MLB seasons.

22. Ty Cobb

Ty Cobb led the American League in stolen bases six times. AP Photo

Born: Dec. 18, 1886 (Narrows, Georgia)

Died: July, 17, 1961 (age 74, Atlanta, Georgia)

Position: Center field

Bats: Left

MLB career: 24 seasons (1905-28)

Teams: Detroit Tigers (1905-26), Philadelphia Athletics (1927-28)

Career highlights: American League MVP (1911), Triple Crown (1909), 12-time American League batting champion (1907-15, 1917-19), MLB All-Century Team

Bottom Line: Ty Cobb

Ty Cobb died with a fortune worth an estimated $100 million in today’s money. AP Photo

Ty Cobb was the speed demon of his era. He led the American League in stolen bases six times, and his .357 career batting average is still the MLB record.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1936, Cobb is firmly entrenched in Americana lore for his life and career.

When he died, he was one of the richest men in the South, with an estate worth in excess of $100 million in today’s money.

21. Ichiro Suzuki

Ichiro Suzuki played seven seasons in Japan before joining the Seattle Mariners in 2001. Paul Sancya / AP Photo

Born: Oct. 22, 1973 (Kasugai, Japan)

Position: Right field

Bats: Left

MLB career: 19 seasons (2001-19)

Teams: Seattle Mariners (2001-12, 2018-19), New York Yankees (2012-14), Miami Marlins (2015-17)

Career highlights: American League MVP (2001), 10-time All-Star (2001-10), American League Rookie of the Year (2001), 10-time Gold Glove Award winner (2001-10), three-time Silver Slugger Award winner (2001, 2007, 2009)

Bottom Line: Ichiro Suzuki

Ichiro Suzuki recorded an MLB single-season-record 262 hits in 2004. Elaine Thompson / AP Photo

The really crazy thing you realize when you look back at Ichiro’s MLB career is that he didn’t even play in the majors until he was 28 years. So we missed almost a decade of his prime while he was playing professional baseball in Japan.

Ichiro set the single-season MLB record with 262 hits in 2004 and is the only player in MLB history with 10 consecutive seasons of 200-plus hits.

20. Jarrod Dyson

Jarrod Dyson’s nickname of “Zoom” is because of his speed. Paul Sancya / AP Photo

Born: Aug. 15, 1984 (McComb, Mississippi)

Position: Center field

Bats: Left

MLB career: 11 seasons (2010-present)

Teams: Kansas City Royals (2010-16), Seattle Mariners (2017), Arizona Diamondbacks (2018-19), Pittsburgh Pirates (2020), Chicago White Sox (2020)

Career highlights: World Series champion (2015)

Bottom Line: Jarrod Dyson

Jarrod Dyson won a World Series with the Kansas City Royals in 2015. Ed Andrieski / AP Photo

When you get the nickname “Zoom,” well, you must be fast.

That’s the story for Jarrod Dyson, who first put his elite speed on display with the Kansas City Royals as a key part of their back-to-back American League championship teams in 2014 and 2015, with a World Series win in 2015.

Dyson’s speed can be quantified, too. He’s been clocked rounding the bases in a blazing 14.7 seconds and another time moving at 29.58 feet per second on the basepaths.

19. Willie McGee

Willie McGee led the St. Louis Cardinals to a World Series title in 1982. Lenny Ignelzi / AP Photo

Born: Nov. 2, 1958 (San Francisco, California)

Position: Outfield

Bats: Switch

MLB career: 18 seasons (1982-99)

Teams: St. Louis Cardinals (1982-90), Oakland Athletics (1990), San Francisco Giants (1991-94), Boston Red Sox (1995), St. Louis Cardinals (1996-99)

Career highlights: World Series champion (1982), National League MVP (1985), four-time All-Star (1983, 1985, 1987, 1988), three-time Gold Glove Award winner (1983, 1985, 1986), Silver Slugger Award (1985)

Bottom Line: Willie McGee

Willie McGee won National League MVP honors in 1985. AP Photo

Willie McGee put himself in the conversation as one of the best players in baseball as a rookie in 1982, when he helped lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a World Series championship.

McGee, who won National League MVP honors three years later in 1985, combined elite hitting ability and speed to rack up doubles and triples throughout his career.

He also had a career-high 56 stolen bases in his MVP year and finished his career with 352 stolen bases.

18. Vince Coleman

Vince Coleman was an All-American football player at Florida A&M. 80s Baseball / Facebook

Born: Sept. 22, 1961 (Jacksonville, Florida)

Position: Left field

Bats: Switch

MLB career: 13 seasons (1985-97)

Teams: St. Louis Cardinals (1985-90), New York Mets (1991-93), Kansas City Royals (1994-95), Seattle Mariners (1995), Cincinnati Reds (1996), Detroit Tigers (1997)

Career highlights: NL Rookie of the Year (1985), two-time All-Star (1988, 1989)

Bottom Line: Vince Coleman

Vince Coleman won National League Rookie of the Year in 1985. James A. Finley / AP Photo

Vince Coleman and Rickey Henderson helped define the 1980s in the majors because of their greatness on the basepaths.

Coleman, the National League Rookie of the Year in 1985, led the NL in stolen bases six times and stole over 100 bases in each of his first three seasons. Coleman’s 752 stolen bases are No. 6 on the MLB career list.

He could have easily played in the NFL as well. Coleman was a two-time All-American punter and kicker at Florida A&M.

17. Bert Campaneris

Bert Campaneris could really fly. Sal Veder / AP Photo

Born: March 9, 1942 (Pueblo Nuevo, Cuba)

Position: Shortstop

Bats: Right

MLB career: 19 seasons (1964-81, 1983)

Teams: Kansas City/Oakland Athletics (1964-76), Texas Rangers (1977-79), California Angels (1979-81), New York Rangers (1983)

Career highlights: Three-time World Series champion (1972-74), six-time All-Star (1968, 1972-75, 1977)

Bottom Line: Bert Campaneris

Bert Campaneris won three consecutive World Series titles with the Oakland Athletics. AP Photo

Bert Campaneris was easy to overlook at only 5-foot-10 and 160 pounds, but his lightning-fast speed changed games in the majors for almost two decades.

Campaneris was one of the mainstays for the Oakland Athletics on three consecutive World Series championship teams in the early 1970s and led the American League in stolen bases six times.

In 1965, Campaneris became the first player in MLB history to play all nine positions in a single game.

16. Tim Raines

Tim Raines was one of baseball’s best players in the 1980s. Larry Stoddard / AP Photo

Born: Sept. 16, 1959 (Sanford, Florida)

Position: Left field

Bats: Switch

MLB career: 24 seasons (1979-2002)

Teams: Montreal Expos (1979-90, 2001), Chicago White Sox (1991-95), New York Yankees (1996-98), Oakland Athletics (1999), Baltimore Orioles (2001), Florida Marlins (2002)

Career highlights: Two-time World Series champion (1996, 1998), seven-time All-Star (1981-87), Silver Slugger Award (1986), NL batting champion (1986)

Bottom Line: Tim Raines

Tim Raines was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017. John Swart / AP Photo

Tim Raines showed off his elite speed in high school on the baseball field, but more so on the football field as one of the most sought-after running back recruits in the nation.

Raines was one of the players who defined the majors in the 1980s. He led the National League in stolen bases four times, and his career lasted a whopping 24 seasons and stretched out over four different decades.

Raines was finally inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.

15. Kevin Kiermaier

Kevin Kiermaier has won three Gold Glove Awards. David Goldman / AP Photo

Born: April 22, 1990 (Fort Wayne, Indiana)

Position: Center field

Bats: Left

MLB career: 8 seasons (2013-present)

Teams: Tampa Bay Rays

Career highlights: Three-time Gold Glove Award winner (2015, 2016, 2019)

Bottom Line: Kevin Kiermaier

Kevin Kiermaier is lightning on the base paths and in the outfield. Lynne Sladky / AP Photo

It’s fun to watch Kevin Kiermaier hit full speed on a baseball field — whether he’s running the basepaths or tracking down fly balls in the outfield.

Kiermaier’s top speed on the basepaths has been clocked at close to 22 miles per hour. That’s comparable to the fastest players in the NFL. In the outfield, Kiermaier’s ability to rob home runs has become his calling card, and he’s already a three-time Gold Glove Award winner.

He’s doing that with speed as well. His jump on fly balls is 3.8 feet ahead of the league average for all outfielders.

14. Devaris “Dee” Strange-Gordon

Devaris “Dee” Strange-Gordon is the son of former MLB pitcher Tom “Flash” Gordon. Jason Redmond / AP Photo

Born: April 22, 1988 (Windermere, Florida)

Position: Utility

Bats: Left

MLB career: 10 seasons (2011-present)

Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers (2011-14), Miami Marlins (2015-17), Seattle Mariners (2018-present)

Career highlights: Two-time All-Star (2014, 2015), Gold Glove Award (2015), Silver Slugger Award (2015)

Bottom Line: Devaris “Dee” Strange-Gordon

Dee Strange-Gordon was MLB’s premier base stealer in the 2010s. Matt Slocum / AP Photo

Dee Strange-Gordon’s dad may have actually gotten the nickname that was more appropriate for his son. Tom “Flash” Gordon pitched in the majors for 22 seasons and set a major league record with 54 consecutive saves at one point.

Dee Strange-Gordon was the premiere base stealer in the majors in the 2010s, leading all players with 330 steals, and made a little bit of history in 2015 when he became the first player to lead the National League in batting average and stolen bases since Jackie Robinson in 1949.

13. Willie Wilson

Willie Wilson should be in the Hall of Fame. Mark Duncan / AP Photo

Born: July 9, 1955 (Montgomery, Alabama)

Position: Outfield

Bats: Switch

MLB career: 19 seasons (1976-94)

Teams: Kansas City Royals (1976-90), Oakland Athletics (1991-92), Chicago Cubs (1993-94)

Career highlights: World Series champion (1985), two-time All-Star (1982, 1983), Gold Glove Award (1980), two-time Silver Slugger Award (1980, 1982)

Bottom Line: Willie Wilson

Willie Wilson led the American League in triples five times. Rob Kozloff / AP Photo

Willie Wilson had as good of a combination of speed and skill as any player in MLB history, and it’s befuddling why he hasn’t gotten more consideration as a Hall of Famer.

But it’s also easy to see he wasn’t even appreciated in his own time. Somehow, Wilson only made two All-Star teams.

One more stunning stat about Wilson was that he led the American League in triples five times, with the fifth occurrence coming in his 13th season in the majors.

12. Carl Crawford

Carl Crawford made $179.1 million in 15 MLB seasons. Linda Kaye / AP Photo

Born: Aug. 5, 1981 (Houston, Texas)

Position: Left field

Bats: Left

MLB career: 15 seasons (2002-16)

Teams: Tampa Bay Devil Rays/Rays (2002-10), Boston Red Sox (2011-12), Los Angeles Dodgers (2013-16)

Career highlights: Four-time All-Star (2004, 2007, 2009, 2010), Gold Glove Award (2010), Silver Slugger Award (2010)

Bottom Line: Carl Crawford

Carl Crawford had scholarship offers to play quarterback at Nebraska and point guard at UCLA before turning his attention to baseball. Steve Nesius / AP Photo

Carl Crawford’s elite speed was easy to see early. Coming out of Houston’s Jefferson Davis High, he had scholarship offers to play point guard at UCLA and be an option quarterback at Nebraska, USC, Oklahoma and Florida.

Crawford originally signed with Nebraska to play football but turned to baseball after Tampa Bay made him a second-round pick.

Crawford might be a genius. He made $179.1 million in 15 seasons in the majors.

11. Juan Samuel

Philadelphia Phillies infielder Juan Samuel is shown in this March 1987 photo. Rusty Kennedy / AP Photo

Born: Dec. 9, 1960 (San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic)

Position: Utility

Bats: Right

MLB career: 16 seasons (1983-98)

Teams: Philadelphia Phillies (1983-89), New York Mets (1989), Los Angeles Dodgers (1990-92), Kansas City Royals (1992, 1995), Cincinnati Reds (1993), Detroit Tigers (1994-95), Toronto Blue Jays (1996-98)

Career highlights: Three-time All-Star (1984, 1987, 1991), Silver Slugger Award (1987)

Bottom Line: Juan Samuel

Phillies second baseman Juan Samuel tags someone out while stealing, something he rarely got caught doing. James A. Finley / AP Photo

Juan Samuel’s speed and power were on display as soon as he made it to the majors. He set the MLB rookie record with 72 stolen bases in 1984.

Samuel didn’t stop there and became the first player in major league history to have double figures in home runs, doubles, triples and steals in each of his first four seasons.

Samuel’s career could have gone much better if he’d figured out how to take on some pitches. He led the National League in strikeouts four times and averaged 136 strikeouts over 16 seasons.

10. Jose Reyes

Jose Reyes was playing in the majors at 19 years old. Osamu Hondura / AP Photo

Born: June 11, 1983 (Villa Gonzalez, Santiago, Dominican Republic)

Position: Shortstop

Bats: Switch

MLB career: 16 seasons (2003-18)

Teams: New York Mets (2003-11, 2016-18), Miami Marlins (2012), Toronto Blue Jays (2013-15), Colorado Rockies (2015)

Career highlights: Four-time All-Star (2006, 2007, 2010, 2011), Silver Slugger Award (2006), National League batting champion (2011)

Bottom Line: Jose Reyes

Jose Reyes led the National League in triples four times. Tony Gutierrez / AP Photo

Jose Reyes made his debut with the Mets when he was just 19 years old and became the franchise’s career leader in both triples and stolen bases.

To that end, Reyes led the National League in stolen bases three times and triples four times, and in 2005 and 2006, he led the NL in both categories.

For all of his accomplishments, Reyes never got a chance to play in the World Series in 16 seasons.

9. Lou Brock

Lou Brock retired as MLB’s career stolen base leader. Lennox McLendon / AP Photo

Born: June 18, 1939 (El Dorado, Arkansas)

Died: Sept. 6, 2020 (St. Charles, Missouri)

Position: Left field

Bats: Left

MLB career: 19 seasons (1961-79)

Teams: Chicago Cubs (1961-64), St. Louis Cardinals (1964-79)

Career highlights: Two-time World Series champion (1964, 1967), six-time All-Star (1967, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1979), Roberto Clemente Award (1975)

Bottom Line: Lou Brock

No one looked better in the St. Louis Cardinals powder blue uniforms than Lou Brock. Richard Drew / AP Photo

Lou Brock was a more complete player than most people remember, and that’s more of a testament to how great he was at stealing bases.

Brock led the National League in stolen bases eight times and retired with the MLB career and single-season records for stolen bases.

Brock, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985, also led the National League in doubles and triples in 1968 and helped lead the Cardinals to a pair of World Series championships in the 1960s.

8. Kenny Lofton

Kenny Lofton also played basketball at the University of Arizona. Mark Duncan / AP Photo

Born: May 31, 1967 (East Chicago, Indiana)

Position: Center field

Bats: Left

MLB career: 17 seasons (1991-2007)

Teams: Houston Astros (1991), Cleveland Indians (1992-96, 1998-2001, 2007), Atlanta Braves (1997), Chicago White Sox (2002), San Francisco Giants (2002), Pittsburgh Pirates (2003), Chicago Cubs (2003), New York Yankees (2004), Philadelphia Phillies (2005), Los Angeles Dodgers (2006), Texas Rangers (2007)

Career highlights: Six-time All-Star (1994-99), four-time Gold Glove Award winner (1993-96)

Bottom Line: Kenny Lofton

Kenny Lofton was a four-time Gold Glove Award winner. Jim Rogash / AP Photo

Kenny Lofton was a freak athlete. He is one of only two people to play in the Final Four and the World Series and is the MLB career leader in postseason stolen bases.

Lofton led the American League in stolen bases five times and is No. 15 on MLB’s career stolen bases list with 622.

Lofton played for a whopping 10 teams in 17 MLB seasons, including three different stints with the Cleveland Indians.

7. Jose Altuve

Jose Altuve was named American League MVP in 2017. Pat Sullivan / AP Photo

Born: May 6, 1990 (Maracay, Venezuela)

Position: Second base

Bats: Right

MLB career: 10 seasons (2011-present)

Teams: Houston Astros

Career highlights: World Series champion (2017), American League MVP (2017), ALCS MVP (2019), Gold Glove Award (2015), six-time All-Star (2012, 2014-18), five-time Silver Slugger Award winner (2014-18)

Bottom Line: Jose Altuve

Jose Altuve is only 5-foot-5 and 160 pounds. Pat Sullivan / AP Photo

Yeah, we know. Jose Altuve and the Houston Astros cheated their brains off to win the World Series in 2017. But that doesn’t negate the fact that the 2017 American League MVP and six-time All-Star is as fast as almost anyone who has ever played the game.

Altuve has led the American League in stolen bases twice and has been clocked at a blazing 3.3 seconds from home plate to first base.

Those numbers are even more impressive considering he is only 5-foot-5 and 160 pounds.

6. Deion Sanders

Atlanta Braves outfielder and Atlanta Falcons player Deion Sanders adjusts the gold chains around his neck as he warms up. Joe Holloway Jr. / AP Photo

Born: Aug. 9, 1967 (Fort Myers, Florida)

Position: Outfield

Bats: Left

MLB career: 9 seasons (1989-95, 1997, 2001)

Teams: New York Yankees (1989-90), Atlanta Braves (1991-94), Cincinnati Reds (1994-95, 1997, 2001), San Francisco Giants (1995)

Career highlights: National League triples champion (1992), National League champion (1992)

Bottom Line: Deion Sanders

Deion Sanders played almost a decade in the majors but is also considered the greatest cornerback in NFL history. Mike Albans / AP Photo

Had Deion Sanders focused all of his attention on baseball, he’d probably be No. 1 on this list. But baseball was just a hobby for Neon Deion, who is arguably the fastest player in NFL history and still managed to play nine seasons in the majors.

But baseball speed is different than football speed (it’s more nuanced), and Sanders does have a few peers in MLB history when it comes to flying around the bases, although not many.

Deion’s baseball speed was best on display in 1992, when he led the National League with 14 triples despite only playing in 97 games and splitting his time between the Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Falcons. He’s still the only person to ever play in both the Super Bowl and World Series.

5. Maury Wills

Maury Wills led the National League in stolen bases six times. AP Photo

Born: Oct. 2, 1932 (Washington, D.C.)

Position: Shortstop

Bats: Switch

MLB career: 14 seasons (1959-72)

Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers (1959-66), Pittsburgh Pirates (1967-68), Montreal Expos (1969), Los Angeles Dodgers (1969-72)

Career highlights: Three-time World Series champion (1959, 1963, 1965), National League MVP (1962), seven-time All-Star (1961-63, 1965, 1966), two-time Gold Glove Award winner (1961, 1962)

Bottom Line: Maury Wills

Maury Wills was the National League MVP in 1962. AP Photo

Maury Wills led the National League in stolen bases six times and set the MLB single-season record with 104 stolen bases in 1962 — the same year he was named National League MVP.

Wills, who was also a football star at Washington, D.C.’s Cardozo High, is largely credited with bringing the stolen base back into the majors as a viable way to win games.

4. Byron Buxton

Byron Buxton once ran the bases in 13.85 seconds on an inside-the-park home run. Bruce Kluckhohn / AP Photo

Born: Dec. 18, 1993 (Baxley, Georgia)

Position: Center field

Bats: Right

MLB career: 6 seasons (2015-present)

Teams: Minnesota Twins

Career highlights: Gold Glove Award (2017), Wilson Defensive Player of the Year (2017)

Bottom Line: Byron Buxton

Byron Buxton was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 MLB draft. Charles Rex Arbogast / AP Photo

Byron Buxton’s speed was out there for everyone to see when he ran the basepaths in a blazing 13.85 seconds on an inside-the-park home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Aug. 2017. The mark broke his previous basepaths record of 14.05 seconds on another inside-the-park home run.

Buxton was picked by the Minnesota Twins with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 MLB draft and looks poised for a breakout season in 2021 after batting .254 with 13 home runs and 27 RBI in the shortened 2020 season.

3. Rickey Henderson

Billy Martin called Rickey Henderson a walking triple. AP Photo

Born: Dec. 25, 1968 (Chicago, Illinois)

Position: Left field

Bats: Right

MLB career: 25 seasons (1979-2003)

Teams: Oakland Athletics (1979-84, 1989-93, 1994-95, 1998), New York Yankees (1985-89), Toronto Blue Jays (1993), San Diego Padres (1996-97, 2001), Anaheim Angels (1997), New York Mets (1999-2000), Seattle Mariners (2000), Boston Red Sox (2002), Los Angeles Dodgers (2003)

Career highlights: Two-time World Series champion (1989, 1993), American League MVP (1990), 10-time All-Star (1980, 1982-88, 1990, 1991), ALCS MVP (1989), Gold Glove Award (1981), three-time Silver Slugger Award (1981, 1985, 1990)

Bottom Line: Rickey Henderson

Rickey Henderson is the MLB career leader in stolen bases and runs. Ray Stubblebine / AP Photo

Rickey Henderson was as dynamic and complete a baseball player who ever lived. Henderson owns MLB career records for stolen bases (1,406), runs (2,295) and leadoff home runs (81). He also owns the single-season record with 130 stolen bases.

Henderson, who led the AL in stolen bases 12 times, played in the majors until he was almost 45 years old and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.

2. Billy Hamilton

Billy Hamilton set the minor league record with 155 stolen bases in a single season. John Minchillo / AP Photo

Born: Sept. 9. 1990 (Taylorsville, Mississippi)

Position: Center field

Bats: Switch

MLB career: 8 seasons (2013-present)

Teams: Cincinnati Reds (2013-18), Kansas City Royals (2019), Atlanta Braves (2019), New York Mets (2020), Chicago Cubs (2020)

Career highlights: NL Rookie of the Month (June 2014)

Bottom Line: Billy Hamilton

Billy Hamilton has 303 career stolen bases but just a .241 batting average. John Amis / AP Photo

Billy Hamilton’s speed was on display from the beginning. He actually signed to play wide receiver for Mississippi State out of Taylorsville (Miss.) High School.

Hamilton began to grab headlines for his baseball speed in the minor leagues. He stole 104 bases in 2011 and set the minor league record with 155 stolen bases in 2012.

Hamilton’s 303 career stolen bases in essentially just six full-time MLB seasons jump off the page, but so do his struggles at the plate with just a .241 career batting average.

1. Mickey Mantle

Mickey Mantle’s 3.1-second time to first base is the stuff of legends. William J. Smith / AP Photo

Born: Oct. 20, 1931 (Spavinaw, Oklahoma)

Died: Aug. 13, 1995 (Dallas, Texas)

Position: Center field

Bats: Switch

MLB career: 18 seasons (1951-68)

Teams: New York Yankees

Career highlights: Seven-time World Series champion (1951-53, 1956, 1958, 1961, 1962), three-time American League MVP (1956, 1957, 1962), 20-time All-Star (1952-65, 1967, 1968), Triple Crown (1956), Gold Glove Award (1962), MLB All-Century Team

Bottom Line: Mickey Mantle

AP Photo

Many of the stories about Mickey Mantle’s speed seem like urban legends at this point.

But we do know the one metric that seems to have stuck with him is that he was once timed at 3.1 seconds from home plate to first base. Which is all kinds of fast. The average time for right-handed hitters from home to first is 4.3 seconds, and it’s 4.2 seconds for left-handed hitters.

The three-time American League MVP’s first nickname is the one that tells the best story about his speed. Mantle was known as “The Commerce Comet” in honor of his hometown of Commerce, Oklahoma, where he was a good enough halfback at Commerce High that the University of Oklahoma offered him a football scholarship.