The Rays’ Carl Crawford, beating a throw to the Sox’ Dustin Pedroia at second base for a steal last August, thinks Boston should give Jacoby Ellsbury the green light to run.

The Providence Journal / Bob Breidenbach

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Carl Crawford has a message for the Red Sox.

“Let him go,” he says.

The “him” Crawford is referring to is fellow speedster and Red Sox rookie Jacoby Ellsbury.

“I know in the past the Red Sox don’t like to run,” Crawford said. “But, man, let him go. He’s got some good speed and you can tell he’s going to be a good base-stealer.”

Crawford, the owner of four 50-plus stolen-base seasons, is right. The Red Sox normally don’t like to run all that much, but they never have had the kind of lightning speed Ellsbury possesses.

Former player and current player development consultant Tommy Harper still holds the Red Sox’ single-season record for stolen bases, with 54, set in 1973. He believes the record will be broken some day, and he has said Ellsbury will be the player to do it.

The two formed a solid teacher/student bond during Ellsbury’s time in Pawtucket. Harper became a constant presence at McCoy Stadium during Ellsbury’s time there. Harper has helped the rookie harness his speed and hone his base-stealing ability.

“I just try to take all the knowledge he gives me and put it to use,” said Ellsbury. “Obviously he’s had great success in the big leagues, and it’s not every day you get someone who has had that success and is willing to share it with you. Yes, it has been nice to talk to Harp. He’s been great.”

In the past Ellsbury has just gone on his own. Now, with the help of Harper, Ellsbury has learned when to pick the best situation before he attempts to steal.

Here are the keys to reach the 50-base plateau:

First of all, you obviously need to have the speed. Second, you have to be smart. You have to know when to go and how to get a good jump. Third, you have to have the confidence to know you can steal a base at any time, in any situation.

Ellsbury has all of the above.

Finally, you need to stay healthy.

Any good base-stealer (except maybe Rickey Henderson) will tell you that he doesn’t set a certain number as a goal at the start of the season.

“I don’t think about it,” said Crawford. “When September comes and I’m only four or five bags away from 50, then it gets easy. I don’t want to say easy, but I just try to get as many as I can during the season and whenever the team needs them. Then, when September comes, you’re already there.”

Like in everything else in baseball, players do things their own way. When it comes to swiping bases, Crawford says he doesn’t watch videos of pitchers’ tendencies and pick-off moves. He just goes.

“I haven’t lost my speed, yet,” he said with a smile. “So I haven’t needed to do that. I’m sure one day, when I lose a step, I’ll do that stuff. For right now, I just use my speed and watch pitchers during the game.”

Unlike Crawford, Ellsbury watches game tapes. Harper watches them even more than the rookie, and then he passes along his analysis. Like Crawford, Ellsbury said he will wait until the end of the year before looking at the numbers and worrying about breaking Harper’s record.

“If I’m past 54, then that would be great,” said Ellsbury of Harper’s record. “Especially passing someone who was a great base-stealer like Harp was. When you start creeping a little bit closer, people will say something like ‘Hey, you’re only four away.’ Like Manny (Ramirez) and his 500 home runs. I’m just trying to get as many as I can and not worry about how many I have. Fifty-four is a lot. It’s not easy by any means. It’s pretty tough and pretty impressive for Harp to do that.”

Crawford has eight steals this season. Ellsbury has eight, too. In fact, he has successfully stolen 17 of 17 to begin his major-league career. Both players have said they don’t pay much attention to what other runners are doing, but Crawford said he likes to be in first place in that category.

He may not be on top for much longer.

Next Game

Tonight

vs. Toronto

7:05

jmcdonal@projo.com