century marks

Props to former Taylorsville High star Billy Hamilton for reaching the 100-stolen base plateau on Saturday while playing for Class A Dayton in the Cincinnati system. Also on the short list of minor leaguers to reach that mark are Marcus Lawton and Lenny Dykstra. Gulfport native Lawton swiped 111 bags for Class A Columbia in the New York Mets’ system in 1985, two years before he joined the Jackson Mets. Former Jackson Met Dykstra stole 105 bases for Class A Lynchburg in 1983, the year before he played in Jackson. One common thread: Their feats occurred in A-ball, where pitchers don’t do such a good job of holding runners. Still, 100 stolen bases in a season is amazing.