Speed has no substitute: Braves' Rafael Furcal: A Tough Runner To Pin Down.

SPEED IN BASEBALL IS EASY TO identify, not so easy to explain.

In Minnesota, Cristian Guzman might be the fastest man in the majors, but he has difficulty stealing a base. In Florida, Luis Castillo might be the game's foremost base-stealing threat, but it took him more than three years to get the green light.

In Atlanta, Rafael Furcal stole 40 bases last season in only 131 games. As a rookie, he was still deciphering opposing pitchers throughout the season. As a 20-year-old, he challenged a respected outfield arm just to see what happened next. On a team of All-Stars and even future Hall of Famers, he was the most watched man on the field during the 2000 campaign.

How to explain that? Furcal is not the fastest man in the National League. He isn't even the fastest in the Braves system. George Lombard is, according to manager Bobby Cox. But what Furcal becomes every time he reaches base is a situation. And that is better.

"As far as quickness, I don't think there's anyone better," Braves right fielder Brian Jordan said. "This guy gets started as quick as I've ever seen. You don't think he's going to tag up, and he takes off like he's shot out of a gun. Pretty exciting to watch."

"Like Otis Nixon," Braves pitcher Greg Maddux said. "Kenny Lotion, Castillo, Vince Coleman, Ozzie Smith. Like all those little, pesky squirts."

Pat Corrales, the Braves' dugout coach, played catcher against Maury Wills and was Lou Brock's teammate.