Athletics OF Esteury Ruiz sets AL rookie steals record

The Oakland Athletics finished last in the majors at 50-112, but Esteury Ruiz was a bright spot in an otherwise forgettable season.

On Sunday, the final day of the regular season, the 24-year-old outfielder set the American League rookie record for most stolen bases with his AL-leading 67th in a 7-3 loss to the host Los Angeles Angels.

In his 132nd game of the season, Ruiz eclipsed the mark set by Cleveland's Kenny Lofton in 1992.

Ruiz, who led all players in the majors with 15 multi-steal games, took full advantage of the implementation of the bigger bases and limits on pickoff throws in 2023.

Ruiz led all major league rookies in stolen bases and holds the A's rookie record, having passed Mitchell Page's 1977 mark of 42 in July. The young outfielder is the fifth A's player with 60 swipes in a season.