The Art of Taking a Lead: Why Every Step Matters in MLB

A bad lead by Toronto's Isiah Kiner-Falefa in the 2025 World Series highlighted the importance of baserunning in baseball.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 4:00pm

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A bad lead by Toronto's Isiah Kiner-Falefa in Game 7 of the 2025 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers highlighted the importance of baserunning in Major League Baseball. Despite the remarkable talent of today's players, baserunning has become an embarrassment across the league, with organizations spending little time teaching the fundamentals. Former players and coaches are now emphasizing the art of taking a proper lead and secondary lead, which can make the difference between winning and losing a championship.

Why it matters

Baserunning is a critical skill that can often be the difference maker in close games, especially in the postseason. The Blue Jays' loss in the 2025 World Series showed how a split-second hesitation or slight misstep on the bases can cost a team a championship. As teams and players focus more on analytics, the fundamentals of baserunning have been neglected, but organizations are now realizing the importance of teaching and emphasizing this often overlooked aspect of the game.

The details

In Game 7 of the 2025 World Series, Kiner-Falefa was out at the plate by the smallest of margins after taking a short lead off third base with the bases loaded and one out in the ninth inning. The Blue Jays' coaches had instructed Kiner-Falefa to take a shorter lead and smaller secondary lead to avoid getting doubled off or picked off. However, former players and managers believe Kiner-Falefa should have been more aggressive in that situation to try and score the winning run. The Blue Jays also lost Game 6 in part because Addison Barger was doubled off second base on a line drive, ending the game in stunning fashion.

  • In the ninth inning of Game 7 of the 2025 World Series, the score was tied 4-4 with the bases loaded and one out.
  • Toronto lost Game 6 of the 2025 World Series when Addison Barger was doubled off second base on a line drive, ending the game.

The players

Isiah Kiner-Falefa

The Toronto Blue Jays player at bat in the ninth inning of Game 7 of the 2025 World Series with the bases loaded and one out.

Daulton Varsho

The Toronto Blue Jays player at bat in the ninth inning of Game 7 of the 2025 World Series with the bases loaded and one out.

Miguel Rojas

The Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman who forced out Kiner-Falefa at the plate in the ninth inning of Game 7 of the 2025 World Series.

Addison Barger

The Toronto Blue Jays player who was doubled off second base in the final play of Game 6 of the 2025 World Series.

Enrique Hernandez

The Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder who caught the line drive that resulted in Barger being doubled off second base in Game 6 of the 2025 World Series.

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The takeaway

This story highlights the critical importance of baserunning fundamentals in baseball, especially in high-stakes postseason games where a split-second decision on the bases can be the difference between winning and losing a championship. As teams increasingly focus on analytics, the basic skills of taking proper leads and being aggressive on the basepaths have been neglected, but organizations are now realizing they need to re-emphasize these often overlooked aspects of the game.