Milwaukee Brewers Jean Segura Steals First Base
By David Hill
It is often said that you cannot steal first base. Well, someone forgot to tell that to former Milwaukee Brewers infielder Jean Segura on this day three years ago.
In baseball, it is expected that the bases will be run in their proper order, and that no one will intentionally try to head back to a previous base to sow confusion in the opposition. This is even on the rule books, due to the antics of turn of the century infielder Germany Schaefer, who once tried to get into a rundown by stealing second, then going back to first to draw a throw, and steal second again.
The circumstances were different, but on this day three years ago, Milwaukee Brewers infielder Jean Segura matched Schaefer’s accomplishment. The play took place in the eighth inning of the Brewers eventual 5-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs.
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The inning began normally, as Segura singled and stole second. After Ryan Braun walked, Cubs pitcher Shawn Camp picked Segura off second. He managed to escape the rundown and return safely to second, where he found Braun already on the bag. Both players were tagged, and Braun was called out.
However, Segura also thought he was out, and started to return back to the dugout. On the way, his first base coach stopped him, keeping him at first base, allowing Segura to essentially steal the bag. Just like with Schaefer’s exploits, this story does not have a happy ending for Segura, as he was thrown out trying to steal second for a second time in the inning.
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It had been almost 102 years since Schaefer pulled his trick and stole first before another player managed to do the same. Only in the case of the Brewers Jean Segura, his swipe of first was not done intentionally.