Well put, ersberg.

There was a picture there last time I looked.  Oh well.

Posted by tedwmoore on 1/12/2012 11:45:00 PM (view original):

Posted by MikeT23 on 1/12/2012 9:08:00 PM (view original):
Statistically speaking, the 3 hole sees the most 2 out, none on situations. 

And they are less likely to lead off an inning than your other top five in the lineup (mostly because of what Mike wrote).

And all of this makes up for the 18 or 36 less plate appearances per season?

The only thing I have to add to this discussion is that with everything else being equal, I much prefer to put my base stealers in the 5th/6th spots in the order instead of 1st/2nd.  Trying to steal bases with your power hitters at the plate is when the successful steal has the least benefit (because those hitters are capable of knocking them in from 1st base) and a caught stealing does the most damage (removing base runners for your best hitters).

I'd much rather have them attempting steals in front of my weaker singles hitters.