American · El Dorado, USA · Born 18 June 1939 · Died 2020-09-06Lou Brock was a dominant leadoff hitter and base-stealer for the St. Louis Cardinals, twice a World Series champion.
Lou Brock stole 118 bases in 1974 to break the single-season record, finished his career with 938 stolen bases, and collected 3,023 career hits — exploits that made him the most feared base stealer of his era and earned him first-ballot Hall of Fame induction in 1985, despite arriving in St. Louis in what many regard as the most lopsided trade in baseball history. Raised in deep poverty in Collinston, Louisiana, in a home without running water or electricity, Brock worked the cotton fields alongside his family from an early age, and first connected with baseball listening to radio broadcasts of Jackie Robinson's Brooklyn Dodgers. Brock earned a baseball scholarship to Southern University and signed with the Chicago Cubs in 1960, debuting the following year. After several unremarkable seasons, the Cubs traded him to the St. Louis Cardinals in June 1964 in a deal widely regarded as one of the most lopsided in baseball history, given pitcher Ernie Broglio in return. Brock blossomed immediately in St. Louis, helping the Cardinals win the 1964 World Series in his first partial season with the club, and went on to become the most feared base stealer of his generation, leading the National League in steals eight times. In 1974, at age 35, he broke Maury Wills's single-season stolen base record with 118, and in 1977 he surpassed Ty Cobb's long-standing career record, finishing his career with 938 stolen bases — a mark that stood until Rickey Henderson broke it in 1991. Brock retired in 1979 with 3,023 career hits, becoming just the 14th player in MLB history to reach 3,000, and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985 in his first year of eligibility. He died on September 6, 2020, at age 81.
Hall of Fame base-stealer, held MLB career stolen base record
His 1967 World Series performance is considered the finest individual batting performance in Fall Classic history — .414 average, three home runs and seven stolen bases.
Did You Know?How They Played
Speedy leadoff hitter and prolific base stealer
Lasting Impact
Hall of Fame outfielder who held the all-time stolen base record for 15 years
Career Honours
- 2x World Series champion (1964, 1967)
- 6x All-Star
- 3,000 hit club
- Hall of Fame 1985
| Team | Period | Games |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis Cardinals | 1964–1979 | — |
| Chicago Cubs | 1961–1964 | — |
American Athletes