Stealing Now Cool To Fielder After Stealing His First Base, He Shows Anything’s Possible

If Cecil Fielder can steal a base, anything is possible in this world.

Rafael Belliard could hit 60 homers. “Showgirls” could be named best picture at the Cannes Film Festival. Newt Gingrich could take a job with the American Civil Liberties Union.

OK, maybe not anything. But life is now fraught with possibilities. There is nothing anymore that can’t be done. Cecil Fielder has stolen a base.

Before Tuesday, Fielder had played more games without a swipe (1,096) than any man in history. And no one would have bet against another 1,096.

But then the Tigers’ slugger took off for second in the ninth inning Tuesday against the Twins. He stylishly knocked the ball out of shortstop Pat Meares’ glove with his head. And when umpire Tim Tschida spread his palms in the safe sign, history had been made. Or possibly unmade.

By stealing that base, Fielder actually managed to “unbreak” a record: most games in a career, no burglaries. That hallowed mark now reverts to Russ Nixon, who was SB-less for all 906 games of his career.

Contacted by Week in Review for his reaction, Nixon grumbled: “It’ll probably stand up longer than Cal Ripken’s record now, the way they run these guys today.”

The next-closest active player is Expos catcher Darrin Fletcher, who is still more than 400 games behind Nixon.

A jubilant Fielder said: “I told you I was going to get it. I’ve been working hard on my jumps the last nine years.”

He also predicted: “With my speed, anything can happen. It’s changing my game.”

Fielder then stuffed the base into his locker and went off to call his wife with the big news. Her sympathetic response: “C’mon. You didn’t steal no base.” To which Fielder replied: “Watch ‘SportsCenter.”’

Then again, his teammates barely believed him, either, and they had seen it with their own eyes. Catcher Mark Parent told manager Buddy Bell, who had just won the first game of his managerial career: “I can’t believe it takes Cecil to steal a base for you to win a game.”

“If that’s what it takes,” Bell replied, eloquently, “we’re in trouble.”