Lou Brock: leader in batting order, leader in Classic Era baseball history
And the trade that spurred a Hall of Fame MLB career
At Classic Baseball World, we created this section called “Tough Outs” to celebrate and honor MLB players from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s whose impact went well beyond their accomplishments on the field. Anyone can discuss or even debate who had better statistics, whether being part of a World Series winner made a player’s “legacy” complete, or any number of other unsolvable questions.
We are glad there are so many sites that do that, now on a daily basis, thanks to podcasts and YouTube channels. Because when we started this site, the goal was to bring something unique, that would complement what came before us. We hope it fills you with great memories (if you are our age) or great inspiration (if you are any age)!
Here’s our latest Tough Outs profile, written by our volunteer staff writer, Julien Price.
Lou Brock's story is about transformation, tenacity, and inspiration. Though his blazing speed and record-breaking feats on the baseball field are widely celebrated, it is the road leading up to those triumphs that speaks most eloquently to his character. Brock rose from poor beginnings, overcame enormous hurdles, and used his platform to inspire people long after his career as a professional athlete was over. His life narrative transcends baseball and speaks to the universal values of perseverance, resilience, and giving back.
Lou Brock was born on June 18, 1939, in El Dorado, Arkansas, at the peak of the Great Depression. And just 19 years after people like his mom were allowed to vote in the United States, thanks to the 19th amendment.
His early years were characterized by poverty and hardship. Brock's family struggled hard to make ends meet, and he saw firsthand the structural racial inequities of the segregated South. Despite these obstacles, Brock's youth was filled with lessons in tenacity and self-reliance from his mother, who stressed hard work and education.
Brock discovered baseball by chance. He grew up watching the St. Louis Cardinals on his neighbor's television, one of the few in the neighborhood. He admired Jackie Robinson, whose pioneering integration of Major League Baseball encouraged Brock to envision a brighter future. However, his high school in Monroe, Louisiana, did not have a baseball team, so he practiced by throwing balls against a wall or hitting makeshift baseballs made of rolled-up socks. So like many of us decades ago, his desire to play ball as a kid was far greater than any limitations his surroundings could place on him.
Brock's educational difficulties were aggravated by lack of resources, but his perseverance paid off. He excelled in his studies at Southern University in Baton Rouge, earning a position on the college baseball team, where his raw potential began to shine.
Lou Brock made his professional baseball debut with the Chicago Cubs in 1961. Brock's early years in the minors were fraught with difficulties, despite his obvious speed and promise. The teenage outfielder struggled to adjust to the demands of professional baseball while also managing the era's racial tensions. Brock frequently experienced discrimination and animosity, particularly while playing in the segregated South.
"I had to learn to block out the noise," Brock later explained. "The game was my sanctuary." This was when an already challenging path converted into a true “tough outs” story.
An “analytics guy”…decades before formal analytics
Despite these hurdles, Brock's determination distinguished him. He spent many hours analyzing pitchers, observing their habits and timing. This rigorous preparation formed the cornerstone of his performance on the basepaths. However, Brock's effectiveness in Chicago was erratic, the Cubs' management began to wonder if he would ever realize his full potential. Then came the trade, which transformed everything.
Brock's career took a turn in 1964, when he was traded to St. Louis. Brock thrived under the mentorship of Cardinals manager Johnny Keane and players such as Curt Flood, who himself was a pioneer among not only African-American players, but all players, given his eventual hold out that led to the modern free agency system.
In his debut season with the Cardinals, Lou Brock hit .348 and helped the team win the World Series. In so doing, he became the personification of a leadoff batter. His speed on the bases was unparalleled, and he scared pitchers and catchers alike. During his 19-year career, he stole 938 bases, setting an all-time record that was broken by Rickey Henderson in 1991. But Brock's impact went beyond stolen bases. He was a clutch player, hitting .391 in the World Series and helping the Cardinals win another championship in 1967.
Perhaps Brock's most iconic event occurred in the 1967 World Series against the Boston Red Sox. In Game 7, Brock's aggressive baserunning and timely hitting were critical to the Cardinals' triumph. His performance secured his place among the game's greats and earned him the nickname "Sweet Lou." And while Lou Pinella, an all-star player and later a longtime manager, whose big league career essentially began 7 years after Brock’s also answered to that same nickname, baseball had plenty of room for 2.
Retirement: making the most of his success, off the field
Lou Brock retired in 1979, but his impact lasted far beyond his playing career. He embraced his role as a game ambassador and mentor to future players, spreading principles of education, discipline, and tenacity.
Brock also pursued commercial endeavors, including a florist shop with his wife, Jackie. He became a motivational speaker, using his personal experiences to encourage others. His charity work in St. Louis and elsewhere benefited youth development, education, and former players in need.
In 2002, Brock was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a kind of blood cancer. True to his tenacity, he became an advocate for cancer prevention and early detection. Lou Brock died on September 6, 2020, at the age of 81, leaving behind a legacy of inspiration and a sense of hope.
Lou Brock's story is about triumph over adversity. From his humble roots in the segregated South to his record-breaking career and significant life outside of baseball, Brock showed elegance, resilience, and a desire to give back. His story teaches us that success isn't just about what we do, but also about how we use our accomplishments to help others.