This free-swinging Dominican singles hitter stole 267 bases in his career, with a season-best 61 for the Indians in 1980, third in the AL. Dilone (pronounced de-lo-NAY) spent four seasons trying unsuccessfully to break into the Pirates’ outfield. In 1977 he set a since-broken NL record for the most steals in a season without being caught, 12. He finally got some playing time with the A’s in 1978, and he stole 50 bases, fourth in the AL. He was also caught stealing 23 times. Dilone hit just .229 that year and scored 34 runs in 258 at-bats. He was sold to the Cubs in mid-1979 and Cleveland bought him at the end of the season.
Dilone’s stolen base percentage in 1980 was much better (61-for-79), and he had career highs in BA (.341, third in the AL) and runs (82), but walked only 28 times in 528 at-bats. He never again got as much playing time.
