The lightning-fast speedster who redefined the art of the stolen base
In short: Leading the National League in stolen bases and batting average, Dee Strange-Gordon accomplished something unmatched since Jackie Robinson's 1949 season. But behind the incredible statistics and a decade of dominance lay a life shaped by profound personal tragedy and unparalleled athletic grit.
Devaris "Dee" Strange-ob Gordon, known to friends as "Varis," emerged as one of the most prolific base stealers of the 2010s. During that decade, he amassed 330 stolen bases, the highest total of any MLB player in that period. During his 2015 stint at Miami Marlins, he recorded 58 stolen bases and a .333 average, marking the first time a player topped the NL in both metrics since 1949's Jackie Robinson.
His path to the majors was marked by extreme highs and lows. While his professional career featured moments of brilliance—such as stealing second, third, and home in a single inning against the Angels in 2011—it was also shadowed by personal loss. At age seven, his mother, Devona, was killed in a shooting involving a boyfriend of hers. This tragedy led his father, former MLB pitcher Tom Gordon, to sue for custody and raise him in Florida.
On the field, Strange-Gordon's style was polarizing. In 2018, opposing outfielders played closer to home plate than any other major leaguer when he batted, reflecting his lack of power but immense speed. His career also faced scrutiny when he was suspended for 80 games in 2016 due to testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. Despite this, he remained a significant figure in the sport, earning a Gold Glove in 2015 and later using his platform to support charities like "Flash of Hope," which assists children affected by domestic abuse.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Dee Strange-Gordon
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