In a span of less than 24 hours, Lou Brock got the last stolen base of his career, established a major-league record and met with the president of the United States.
On Sept. 23, 1979, Brock, 40, made his last steal in his final appearance in New York as a player. The swipe of second base came during a Cardinals game against the Mets at Shea Stadium.
The steal was the 938th for Brock as a big-leaguer and put him ahead of Billy Hamilton as the all-time leader. Hamilton played in the majors from 1888-1901, under different and easier scoring rules, and held the stolen base mark of 937.
Years after Brock set the record of 938, Hamilton’s total was revised. Some sources show it as 914 and others as 912.
Brock’s mark eventually was broken by Rickey Henderson.
The top six career leaders in stolen bases are Henderson (1,406), Brock (938), Hamilton (914 or 912), Ty Cobb (897 or 892), Tim Raines (808) and Vince Coleman (752).
Top thief
Brock had said 1979 would be his final season as a player and he made it a memorable one. He hit for average, got named to the National League all-star team and achieved his 3,000th career hit.
After breaking the stolen base mark which had been in place for nearly 80 years, Brock told The Sporting News, “That will be the final act of my career.”
Brock’s bravado theft occurred in the fifth inning. With one out and the bases empty, Brock drew a walk from Mets starter Juan Berenguer. On Berenguer’s first pitch to the next batter, Keith Hernandez, Brock broke for second and swiped the base.
The throw from catcher John Stearns was high and sailed into center field. Brock advanced to third on the error and continued to the plate, scoring easily, when center fielder Joel Youngblood bobbled the ball.
Brock was presented with the base he stole to set the record.
When he batted again in the seventh, the public-address announcer informed the crowd Brock was playing in New York for the last time and they responded with a standing ovation. Brock reached on an error by third baseman Richie Hebner, loading the bases, and was removed between innings by manager Ken Boyer. Boxscore
National treasure
Brock headed to Washington, D.C., where he had a personal meeting scheduled the next morning, Sept. 24, 1979, with President Jimmy Carter at the White House.
Carter invited Brock to the Oval Office in order to honor him for getting 3,000 hits. The stolen base record gave them more to celebrate.
“I think this is a unique achievement of his to be this kind of a baserunner and a clean sportsman at the same time,” Carter said.
Carter said Brock “represents the finest in American sports.”
Brock told Carter he was “deeply honored” and “very much impressed” by the visit. He presented Carter with an autographed bat and a pair of red cleats.
Fine finish
After meeting with Carter, Brock immediately headed to Philadelphia, where the Cardinals had a night game with the Phillies.
Boyer let him rest and didn’t play him in a game the Cardinals won, 7-2, but Brock was back in the lineup the next night, Sept. 25, 1979, for his final appearance in Philadelphia before closing out the season in St. Louis.
Brock finished the 1979 season with a .304 batting average, 21 stolen bases and 123 hits in 120 games played.
Brock’s comeback and Hernandez’ big year were the highlights of 1979. Simmons’ injury and a lousy bullpen hurt the Cards. Big improvement over 1978.
You’re right, but also add Garry Templeton to the list with Lou Brock and Keith Hernandez. In 1979, Templeton led the National League in hits (211) and triples (19) and became the first big-league player to achieve 100 hits from each side of the plate in the same season. I’ll be posting a story about the latter on Saturday, Sept. 28, the 40-year anniversary of the achievement.
A great way to end a great career. When simba wasn’t in the lineup, the Cardinals went 16-24. We might be surprised to know that the 1,594 hits that team produced is the 5th highest team total all time.
Thanks for those terrific nuggets. The record of the 1979 Cardinals without Ted Simmons is telling. The number of hits that 1979 team generated is amazing, especially considering it didn’t qualify for the postseason.
I remember the 938th stolen base vividly. Standing in the garage, lisnin’ to the radio as a 15 yr old. Mike Shannon said something like, You just knew the character of the man, Lou Brock, that he would not quit til he broke this final record.
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Terrific anecdote. Thanks for sharing it.