PHOENIX – Arizona manager Torey Lovullo has often said that Tim Locastro is the fastest man in the big ones. You don’t have to believe his word – the MLB video game The Show agrees.
“He has a rating of 99,” Lovullo said, smiling.
Locastro showed that speed Saturday night with four hits and a stolen base that broke a Major League record, helping the Arizona Diamondbacks cool the Cincinnati Reds, 8-3.
Locastro’s steal from the second to sixth innings was the 28th consecutive stolen base to start his career without being caught. This broke the record set by Hall of Fame member Tim Raines, who stole 27 in a row between 1979 and 1981. Records have been maintained since 1951. The Baseball Hall of Fame only bid on the locks of Locastro, which he had painted especially for the occasion.
Locastro, 28, grew up in upstate New York, near the location of the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.
“Having my tacos here, it’s amazing,” Locastro said.
Locastro was perhaps destined to break the record. He was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2013 and his first base racing coach this year was none other than Raines.
He showed more than speed Saturday night, counting four singles and two races from first place. Locastro’s playing time in the center field has increased after Ketel Mart recently joined the injured list due to a strained tendon in the curve.
“It’s not just fast,” Lovullo said. “He’s a good baseball player who’s learned to beat.”
The Associated Press contributed to this note.