Lou Brock made his living off his speed, slapping singles and hitting the ball into the gap for doubles and triples. That speed served him well enough so that, on this day in 1979, the St. Louis Cardinals legend collected his 3000th career hit.
There had been a time when Lou Brock was one of better hitters in the National League. The St. Louis Cardinals outfielder had occasional flashes of power, but his offensive profile was truly built upon his speed. The former all time stolen base leader, Brock had four seasons with 200 or more hits, while sending the ball into the gaps for doubles and triples.
Even though he was reaching the end of his career at age 40, Brock had managed to put his struggles from the previous year behind him. While he was not the same hitter he had once been, Brock posted a .304/.342/.398 batting line that season. He also provided one final highlight, notching his 3000th career hit on this day in 1979.
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That historic hit came in the top of the fourth inning. Leading off, Brock took the offering and lined it up the middle, hitting pitcher Dennis Lamp in the pitching hand. The ball fell in for a hit, Brock’s second of the game and his 3000th career base knock. The shot would knock Lamp from the game, as Doug Capilla would come in to fill in the innings gap.
Brock would not finish the game either. He would be lifted for a pinch hitter in the bottom of the fifth inning, despite being 2-2 on the day. With a runner on third and two out, his replacement, Tony Scott, struck out. With Brock having notched that milestone an inning earlier, that pinch hitting appearance made little sense.
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Lou Brock had quite a few milestones during his record breaking career. His 3000th career hit was the culmination of a Hall of Fame caliber career, and one that will not be forgotten.