Gwynn swipes five bags to match NL record

Ashby, the Houston Astros catcher, had plenty of chances. But on Sept. 20, 1986, Gwynn couldn’t be caught, stealing five bags to tie a modern National League record.

Despite Gwynn’s efforts and his 10 total bases including steals, the Astros prevailed in a 10-6 victory.

It didn’t get long for Gwynn to start running. After he singled off Houston starter Mike Scott, Gwynn swiped second base. One batter later, he took third before San Diego center fielder Kevin McReynolds hit a home run to take an early 2-0 lead.

Gwynn had to get on base a few times to steal as many bags as he did. A 4-for-5 day at the plate certainly helped with that. It was the fifth four-hit game in 1986 for Gwynn, who finished his career with a .338 average.

He was retired for the only time that day in the third inning on a flyout to third. In the sixth, with the Padres trailing 6-3, Gwynn led off with a single, then stole second. After two consecutive strikeouts, Gwynn stole third, but was stranded to end the inning.

In the eighth, Gwynn reached on his third single of the day, then advanced to second on a throwing error. He swiped third right after, his fifth bag of the day, then was again driven in by McReynolds on a single.

Gwynn would get one more at-bat with two outs in the top of the ninth with his Padres trailing by five. He doubled and drove in a run but didn’t have a chance to go for the modern era record and swipe a sixth bag when left fielder John Kruk flew out to end the game.

His hitting, however, only got better with time. He won four straight batting titles starting in 1994, where his chase to hit .400 was cut short by the strike. He hit .394 that season. Gwynn won eight career batting titles, tied with Honus Wagner for most all-time.

Gwynn was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007.

“I guess I’m just a pretty hard worker,” Gwynn told the Associated Press in 1987. “I just want to be the best I can be.”