Lou Brock didn’t just play the game — he changed the way it was played.
Born on June 18, 1939, Brock rose from humble beginnings in El Dorado, Arkansas, to become one of the most electrifying and respected players in Major League Baseball history. Known for his blazing speed, Brock finished his career with 938 stolen bases, setting an all-time record at the time of his retirement in 1979. His aggressive base running and ability to shift momentum with a single swipe of a bag made him a nightmare for opposing pitchers and catchers.
After starting his career with the Chicago Cubs, Brock was famously traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1964 — a deal still talked about today as one of the most lopsided trades in MLB history. Brock immediately made his presence known, helping lead the Cardinals to a World Series championship that same year, and again in 1967. He was a six-time All-Star, a 3,000-hit club member, and a postseason force, batting over .390 across three World Series appearances.
But Brock’s greatness wasn't just about the numbers. He played with unmatched intensity and class, becoming a role model for generations of players. He helped redefine what speed could mean in a game dominated by power.
Lou Brock passed away in 2020, but his legacy lives on — not just in Cooperstown, where he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985, but in the style of play he helped revolutionize.
On what would’ve been his birthday, we remember #20 not just as a Cardinal great, but as one of the GOATs of the game.