Eric Young did it in 1996 for the Rockies. Otis Nixon did it in 1991 for the Braves. Eddie Collins did it – twice – in 1912 for the A’s. And now, Carl Crawford has done it on Sunday for the Tampa Bay Rays. In the eighth inning of the Rays’ game against the Boston Red Sox, Crawford tied an MLB record by stealing six bases in one game, a feat accomplished by only three other players since 1900.

Even the Red Sox acknowledged Crawford’s feat. Shortstop Julio Lugo admitted that Crawford is “an athlete, one of the fastest guys in the big leagues,” and catcher Jason Varitek agreed: “He’s good, and he’s got the speed to go along with it.”

The Red Sox went into the series smoking hot; they had won 12 of their 13 games and outscored the Rays in the first two games 19-2. Their victory sweep lulled on Saturday with 10-6 and was then halted altogether on Sunday.

The first inning was a dubious one for the Rays, but they recovered. James Shields gave a bases-loaded single to J.D. Drew, but afterwards managed to keep runners off of third. He pitched up to the eighth, striking out six and walking two; he allowed only one run and six hits altogether. In the eighth, with one on and one out, he was replaced by J.P. Howell.

By the eighth, Crawford was 4-for-4 with an RBI. He had already stolen bases in the first, third, fifth, seventh innings. With two outs, the four-time AL stolen base champion slid into second for the fifth time, marking his sixth overall game steal, and launching him into MLB record books. The crowd of over 32,000 exploded, and the scoreboard flashed a message recognizing the achievement.

Crawford, however, remained oblivious.

With his focus on the game, and without any discussion of stats, the lefty had no idea what he had accomplished.

“I found out late,” Crawford confessed. “I wish I had known during the game. I probably would have broken it if I knew. I’d have definitely tried.”

Jason Bartlett and Michel Hernandez also stole bases for the Rays, finishing the game with a franchise record of 8.

But Sunday night’s victory undoubtedly goes to Carl Crawford. Crawford now leads the major league in steals with 17. He is ahead of former leader Jacoby Ellsbury of Boston, who lags behind with 13.

Varitek blamed himself for Crawford’s first steal. His throw placed the ball in centerfield, giving Crawford an opportunity to move into second. “I just threw it away,” he stated. But even when Varitek had great throws, and even when pitcher Brad Penny was 1.28 seconds to the plate on a steal, Crawford managed his steals. Boston manager Terry Francona shrugged: “We can’t go any faster than that,” he said. “He outran it.”

The Rays defeated the Red Sox 5-3.

But the Red Sox have not yet given up hope. With some 140 games left, the Red Sox have maintained their confidence. “I don’t think anybody’s hitting the panic button,” Boston’s Dustin Pedroia said.

Boston’s next game is with the Yankees, while the Rays’ next game is with the Orioles. Both games will take place on Tuesday, May 5.