Lucky 13: FCL Marlins nab just that many bases

On the Fourth of July, the proverbial fireworks were on the basepaths in Florida.

The Marlins’ Rookie-level Florida Complex League team stole a staggering 13 bases in Thursday's 7-3 win over the FCL Mets at the Roger Dean Stadium complex. Eight players had at least one steal with 19-year-olds Jose Monserrate and Toby Simmons leading the way with three apiece and Andres Valor, Miami's No. 16 prospect, adding two more.

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Just how rare is this? Let’s start with looking at MLB’s historical precedent. In AL/NL history, there have been two cases of a team stealing at least 13 bases in a game, both coming more than 100 years ago.

In September 1911, the New York Highlanders -- now known as the Yankees -- stole 15 bases in an 18-12 win over the St. Louis Browns (now known as the Baltimore Orioles). And in June 1907, the Washington Nationals -- who became the current Minnesota Twins rather than the modern Nationals -- stole 13 bags in a 16-5 win over the Highlanders. The most steals by any MLB team in a game this season is nine, amassed by the Red Sox in a 9-3 win over the Yankees on June 16.

It's a little less rare in the Minor Leagues, but not by much. Over at least the past 20 seasons, there had only been one instance of a Minor League team having 13-plus steals in a game prior to Thursday's game. In July 9, 2009, the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League Rockies collected 13 of them in an 8-7 win over the DSL Padres.

So it’s not a stretch to say that this particular holiday for the Marlins affiliate was one for the record books.