RIP - Lou Brock

Lou Brock, speedy outfielder for the Cardinals who led the NL in stolen bases 8 times, passed away on September 6, 2020 at age 81.

Brock was a starting outfielder for the Cubs in 1962 (CF) and 1963 (RF), then 50 games into the 1964 season he was traded to the Cardinals.

He played for the Cardinals for the next 15 1/2 years (1964-79), and was a starter every year (although he missed about half of the 1978 season). In that span, he played 2161 games in left field, 51 in right, and 4 in center.

He also played in the World Series in '64, '67, and '68.

He was a 6-time All-Star. He was a starter in his first All-Star appearance (in 1967), ending Willie Mays' long streak of starting All-Star games.

Brock led the league in stolen bases 8 times in the 9-year span from 1966-74, including a career-high 118 bases in 1974.  He twice led the league in runs scored.

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch obituary

CNN obituary
 

1960s Blog Hall of Fame Results (#5)

Congratulations to Lou Brock, on his induction into the 1960s Blog Hall of Fame. He joins the 21 players and 1 manager shown below.

There were 18 votes this time. Former Braves teammates Eddie Mathews and Warren Spahn each missed induction by 1 vote.  Yankees' pitcher Whitey Ford missed induction by 2 votes. Frankly, I'm surprised that these 3 players were not slam-dunks on their first ballot. Still, this is the highest percentage each has received in their 4 times on the ballot.

First-timers Frank Howard and Boog Powell each received 38% of the votes. Jim Bunning, Orlando Cepeda, Roger Maris, and Ron Santo increased their percentage slightly, while Rod Carew stayed the same, and Billy Williams lost ground since last time.

Nobody received less that the minimum 15% to be retained for the next ballot, so they will all be back for another try.