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St. Louis Cardinals legend Lou Brock passes away at 81 years old

By David Hill

ST. LOUIS, MO - CIRCA 1973: Lou Brock stealing another base during a game at Busch Stadium circa 1973 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo Reproduction by Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO - CIRCA 1973: Lou Brock stealing another base during a game at Busch Stadium circa 1973 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo Reproduction by Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images) /
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St. Louis Cardinals legend Lou Brock passed away on Sunday afternoon. He was 81 years old.

There will always be a certain image of St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lou Brock. Even as he battled health issues in recent years, it was easy to look at him and remember the player he used to be – a daring speedster who was a key part of the Cardinals’ success in the 1960s. Along with Maury Wills, he changed the game, making the stolen base a weapon once again.

On Sunday afternoon, those health issues outran the legendary speedster as Brock passed away. He was 81 years old.

Brock came to St. Louis in what was not a popular deal at the time. He was acquired from the Cubs, along with Jack Spring and Paul Toth, for Ernie Broglio, Doug Clemens, and Bobby Shantz. Broglio was a popular player in St. Louis, with his departure not being well received by the players or fans.

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As it turned out, that trade would go down as one of the more lopsided deals in Major League history. Broglio was essentially done as an effective pitcher, winning just seven games in his two and a half years in Chicago. He had been suffering an elbow injury at the time of the trade, and during that offseason, underwent surgery to have his ulnar nerve reset.

Brock, who had disappointed with the Cubs, went on to be a star with the Cardinals. He was a six time All Star and finished in the top ten in the MVP vote five times, with a runner-up finish in 1974. He retired with a solid .293/.343/.410 batting line, notching 3023 hits and 938 steals. At the time of his retirement, he held the single season and all time records for stolen bases. The Hall of Fame came calling for Brock in 1985, as he was enshrined on the first ballot.

But time had caught up to Brock in his later years. He had part of his left leg amputated in 2015 due to a diabetic condition. He was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in April 2017, although his cancer had disappeared by the end of July.

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St. Louis Cardinals legend Lou Brock has passed away at 81 years old. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.

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