Introduction to Lou Brock
Lou Brock was an American professional baseball player who played for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1961 to 1979. He was a left-fielder and a base runner who was known for his athletic ability and speed. He was one of the best base runners of all time, stealing more bases than any other player in Major League Baseball (MLB) history. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985, and his number 20 was retired by the Cardinals in 1979.
Early Life and Career
Lou Brock was born on June 18, 1939 in El Dorado, Arkansas. He grew up in a segregated town and had to overcome the racism of the time to make a name for himself in baseball. He attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and was signed by the Chicago Cubs in 1961. He made his MLB debut with the Cubs on September 10, 1961.
Lou Brock with the St. Louis Cardinals
In 1964, Brock was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in a six-player deal. He quickly made an impact with the Cardinals, becoming one of the team’s most valuable players. In his first season with the Cardinals, Brock hit .348 with 33 stolen bases, and the Cardinals won the National League (NL) pennant.
Lou Brock Breaks Records
In 1967, Brock set a major league record with 118 stolen bases, a record that would stand for 12 years. He also set a single-season record for the most stolen bases in a World Series with seven. He led the NL in stolen bases for seven consecutive seasons from 1967 to 1973, and in 1974 he broke Ty Cobb’s all-time stolen base record.
Lou Brock’s Impact on the Cardinals
Brock was an integral part of the Cardinals’ success in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He was a key contributor to the Cardinals’ World Series championships in 1967 and 1968, and he was a six-time All-Star. He was also named NL Player of the Year in 1974 and was a part of the Cardinals’ NL East Division championship teams from 1974 to 1976.
Lou Brock’s Final Years
Brock played his final season in 1979, when he became the first player in MLB history to reach 3,000 hits and 500 stolen bases. He retired with 3,023 hits and 938 stolen bases, both of which were records at the time. The Cardinals retired his number 20 in 1979, and he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985.
Lou Brock’s Legacy
Lou Brock was one of the greatest and most talented base runners in MLB history. He was a six-time All-Star, a two-time World Series champion, and a National League Player of the Year. He set numerous MLB records during his career, including the most stolen bases in a single season and most career stolen bases. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985, and his number 20 was retired by the Cardinals in 1979.
Years Lou Brock Played for the St. Louis Cardinals
Lou Brock played for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1964 to 1979. He was acquired by the Cardinals in a six-player trade with the Chicago Cubs in 1964 and immediately made an impact with the team. He was an integral part of the Cardinals’ success in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and he retired with the Cardinals in 1979.
Summary of Years Lou Brock Played for the St. Louis Cardinals
- 1964-1979
Conclusion
Lou Brock was one of the greatest and most talented base runners in MLB history. He played for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1964 to 1979 and was an integral part of the team’s success in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He set numerous MLB records during his career, including the most stolen bases in a single season and most career stolen bases. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985, and his number 20 was retired by the Cardinals in 1979.