Forty-One Year Old Pitcher Orlando Hernandez Steals a Base in Consecutive Games

Any time a pitcher ties Hall of Famer Tom Seaver in the record book, it is a notable achievement.

Mets RHP Orlando Hernandez accomplished that feat, albeit in a most unusual category. The 41-year-old Orlando Hernandez became the first pitcher since Tom Seaver in his rookie season of 1967 to steal a base in consecutive starts when he swiped second base versus the Padres in the Mets' 7-0 win July 17th in San Diego.

With the Mets leading 1-0, Orlando Hernandez led off the fifth inning with a single versus Padres starter Jake Peavy. He stole second base and later came in to score on Jose Valentin's single to center field.

Orlando Hernandez also stole second base in the second inning in his previous start, which came July 12th versus the Reds and pitcher Bronson Arroyo. He advanced to third on a wild pitch but did not score in the inning.

Tom Seaver recorded his first career steal May 17th 1967 against the Braves. The opposing battery that day was Phil Niekro and Joe Torre. Tom Seaver, who already had three hits in the game including two doubles, walked in the eighth inning and proceeded to steal second base. He was left stranded at second and ended up the losing pitcher in the game, as Torre got revenge by hitting a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth to give Atlanta a 4-3 win.

In his next outing on May 22nd, Tom Seaver swiped second versus the Los Angeles Dodgers. The opposing battery in that game was Bill Singer and John Roseboro. Tom Seaver led off the third inning with a walk. He later advanced to third on a single but was left stranded at third base. The Mets went on to win the game 4-2, thanks to back-to-back RBI singles in the seventh inning by Cleon Jones and Ron Swoboda.