Rays/MLB

He knows where he wants to go

By MARC TOPKIN
Published August 5, 2006

For some people, turning 25 is a time to get serious and figure out what they want to do with their lives. Unless you are Carl Crawford, who turns 25 today already having done some truly impressive and somewhat historic things. "I'm surprised to see my name mentioned with some of these great players," Crawford said. "I just want to go as far as my game will take me." Consider what he has done so far, and how he stacks up against other greats in the game when they were his age:

- 749 hits

- 202 steals

- 60 triples 

- 104 doubles 

- 48 homers- Only eight active players had more hits when they turned 25, led by Ken Griffey Jr.'s 972. Wade Boggs, who went into the Hall of Fame last year, had only 195. Ted Williams had 749.

- Only six players since 1900 have more steals, led by Rickey Henderson's 427.

- The only left-handed hitter to have as many hits and steals combined is Ty Cobb.

- Only 10 players since 1900 have more triples, led by Sam Crawford's 94. In the last 50 years, only Garry Templeton (at 61) had more.

- Only four players ever have exceeded his total of doubles, triples and homers by age 25, and all are Hall of Famers: Joe Medwick, Freddie Lindstrom, Jimmie Foxx and Arky Vaughan. Only Vaughan is a left-hander.

So what's ahead?

Crawford is on pace to reach 1,000 hits, 300 steals and 100 triples before turning 28. The only player to do that in the modern era is Cobb.

[Last modified August 5, 2006, 02:09:28]