Reyes On Pace For Over 100 Steals

Anthony Di Como at Mets.com, writes about Jose Reyes and the tear of stolen bases he's on right now:

Reyes has become every pitcher's worst nightmare, leading the Majors with 19 steals in 31 games and sparking a fire at the top of the Mets' lineup unlike any the league has seen in years. He's a rare talent -- each time he gets on base, everyone from the pitcher down to the hot dog vendor knows he's about to bolt. And there's still not a thing anyone can do about it.

"It's amazing to me how much they panic," said Mets second baseman Jose Valentin. "He changes the game completely when he's on base." His teammates are
quick to spew out superlatives. Best in the game. Most prolific they've ever seen. The laundry list unravels down to the floor, and it's just the beginning for a 23-year-old shortstop still years away from his prime.

His 19 steals through 31 games put him on pace for just over 100, a mark that hasn't been touched since Coleman swiped 109 for the Cardinals in 1987. He's been helped by a newfound propensity to reach base, as his walk total nearly doubled from 2005 to 2006 -- and he's on pace to double it yet again this season. He's batting .351, while averaging a run scored per game. And though 100 steals may seem a bit high, 80 certainly remains on the radar with a large chunk of the season already in the books.