Rapid ascent: no longer just a guy who runs fast, the Devil Rays' Carl Crawford is zooming toward the upper level of big-league outfielders.(Baseball)

Carl Crawford would have been the perfect subject for the old game show What's My Line? He's baseball's best basestealer. He's the game's best defensive left fielder. He's an All-Star. He's only 22 years old.

Do you know him?

Of all the reasons for the Devil Rays' remarkable turnaround--stingy bullpen, fleet defense, the run production of Julio Lugo and Aubrey Huff--none has been more impressive than the play of Crawford, their lightning-quick, lightning-rod leadoff hitter.

Crawford has come on so strong, so fast, over the past two seasons that notoriety hasn't had a chance to catch up with him. From July 1, 2003, until the beginning of this week, Crawford batted .308 in 173 games and was one of the American League's most destructive players. Last year, he became the fourth-youngest player to win a stolen base title. Only Ty Cobb, Rickey Henderson and Tim Raines were younger.

"I don't know how many years I can steal this many bags, so I figure I've got to get 'em now" he says with a grin.

Crawford is no Willie Wilson or Otis Nixon slap-and-run hitter; instead, he's a hybrid of 1970s defense, 1980s speed and 1990s power. He made a sprinting catch in Yankee Stadium last year--coming from nowhere to snare a pop fly that center fielder Rocco Baldelli had conceded as a hit--that is still shown on highlight videos. If Crawford hits a three-hopper to the infield, fielders can "put it in your pocket;" it's a base hit, Baldelli says. His first three hits after the All-Star break were triples, and he now has a major league best 15.

Crawford still is developing his power, but on July 4 he blasted a 422-foot home run against the Marlins that still has the clubhouse abuzz. "And there's still so much to come out of him yet," Rays bench coach John McLaren says.