Have you ever wondered what CS means in baseball? It’s a stat that holds immense significance for catchers, and yet many fans remain in the dark about its true meaning. Well, today we’re here to shed some light on this mysterious abbreviation and unveil its significance in the world of baseball.
What Does CS Stand For?
CS stands for “caught stealing.” It’s a metric exclusive to catchers, and once you understand its purpose, you’ll appreciate why it’s such a vital statistic.
This simple abbreviation tracks the number of base runners a catcher thwarts from stealing in a season. For instance, in 2021, Will Smith, the talented catcher from the Los Angeles Dodgers, led the Major Leagues by catching 24 runners in the act of stealing.
To catch a runner stealing, a catcher must make a flawless throw to an infielder and the infielder must quickly apply the tag before the runner reaches the base. It’s an art that requires precision and skill.
The Significance of CS
As a catcher, one of the most crucial aspects of your job is to prevent runners from advancing. A high number of caught stealing instances indicates that you excel at throwing out base runners.
A catcher armed with a strong throwing arm and quick “pop time” is an invaluable asset to their team. Their mere presence on the field often dissuades runners from even contemplating stealing.
In today’s data-driven baseball landscape, coaches are more likely to send runners when facing a catcher who lacks impressive CS metrics. On the other hand, a catcher who excels at caught stealing can attract the attention of teams searching for defensive stalwarts.
The Catcher with the Most CS in Baseball History
When you think about the catchers who have made their mark on baseball history, names like Johnny Bench, Carlton Fisk, and Ivan Rodriguez come to mind. Surprisingly, though, none of these Hall of Fame catchers hold the CS record.
The catcher with the most runners caught stealing of all time is Deacon McGuire, an unsung hero from the past. McGuire’s remarkable career spanned 26 seasons (1884-1912), during which he accumulated an astounding 1,459 caught stealing moments. It’s remarkable not only for his impressive record but also the fact that he played during an era with limited protective gear for catchers.
While Deacon McGuire may not receive the recognition he deserves today, he undoubtedly ranks among the greatest defensive catchers the game has ever seen. To delve deeper into the captivating world of catching statistics, check out our comprehensive article on catching statistics.
Leaders of the Last 10 Years
Curious about which catchers topped the CS charts in recent years? Let’s take a glance at the players who led the MLB in the number of runners caught stealing for each of the last 10 seasons:
- 2012 – Buster Posey, 38 CS
- 2013 – Russell Martin, 36 CS
- 2014 – Russell Martin, 27 CS
- 2015 – Derek Norris, 44 CS
- 2016 – Jonathan Lucroy, 44 CS
- 2017 – Tucker Barnhart, 32 CS
- 2018 – Jonathan Lucroy, 31 CS
- 2019 – J.T. Realmuto, 43 CS
- 2020 – Roberto Perez, 10 CS
- 2021 – Will Smith, 24 CS
Unveiling the Catcher’s Secret
We hope this brief journey into the CS statistic has unveiled the catcher’s secret weapon for you. Understanding its importance reveals the immense impact catchers have on the game beyond their offensive contributions.
If you have any more questions or comments, we’d love to hear from you. Feel free to reach out to us at Sports News. Thanks for joining us on this exploration of the hidden secrets of catchers in baseball!
