by Thom W. Conroy

Created on: September 28, 2009

Born in the small town of El Dorado, Arkansas, on June 18, 1939, Lou Brock went on to Southern University, the Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals and eventually the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985. Brock was a very good hitter blessed with outstanding speed, and made a career of turning a single into double and taking an extra base at every opportunity - especially in the area of stealing bases. In 1974 Lou Brock set a then major league record with 118 stolen bases, shattering the old mark of 104 by Maury Wills.

Drafted by the Chicago Cubs, Lou Brock made his major league debut in 1961 with Chicago and played with respectable if not exemplary results. The Cubs traded Brock to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1964, and his career took wing as he suddenly became a much better baseball player. Brock was a critical component of the Cardinals World Championship teams of 1964 and 1967, and in 1967 became the first player in history to hit 20 home runs and steal 50 bases in the same season.

Lou Brock was one of the very first athletes to utilize technology to enhance his success, by using a video camera in the dugout to record and later study the pickoff moves of opposing pitchers in helping his success in stealing bases. One of the most valuable tools that Lou Brock possessed as a player was the ability to destroy an opposing pitcher's concentration every time he reached base, from the threat he posed in stealing bases. In all, Brock has 938 stolen bases in his career, including 12 straight seasons of 50 stolen bases or more. Lou Brock had 8 seasons of 190 hits or more, and scored 100 runs in 7 seasons. A six time all-star, Brock also had 8 seasons in which he batted for over a .300 average. For his career, Brock had a .293 batting average, 3,023 hits and 149 home runs to accompany his 938 stolen bases. In addition to being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, the St. Louis Cardinals retired his #20 jersey.

Lou Brock retired as one of the most beloved baseball players in St. Louis Cardinals history, and is still a popular personality in the local area. Brock operated a successful floral business in the St. Louis metro area after his playing days ended, and both he and his wife are ordained ministers. Perhaps his most important impact upon the game of baseball is his legacy in showing how aggressive base running can negatively effect a pitcher's mentality and confidence.

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