Lou Brock 1939 - 2020

"I grew up watching the Cardinals. I have such great memories of being a young fan in the 60s, 70s, and throughout my adult hood. It was so exciting to watch Lou Brock play and steal bases. It was always great to see his enthusiasm and grit. Through the years he continued to contribute to the St. Louis Cardinals during spring training, as he encouraged and taught younger players. And, then, he became a great role model and great citizen in the St. Louis community. A life well lived! Lou Brock is a man who loved the game of baseball, the men who played the game, and the fans who loved to watch him play! Great memories and great respect for Lou Brock. Thank you, Lou Brock!"

Joyce Kohrs - St. Louis

"Born and raised in St. Louis I am a die-hard Cardinal fan and Lou was one of my all-time favorites! I was volunteering at the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mo around 2008 when I finally got to meet him in person. I said 'Lou you were just wasting your time trying to steal 2nd base when John Kibler was the umpire caused he ALWAYS called you out' (did anyone else ever notice that?)!! Anyway Lou just smiled, didn't say anything negative and gave me his autograph. Such a gentleman and great athlete."

Phyl Rohlfing - Springfield, MO

"To Me Lou Brock was pure class. I did get to see him play live once on 4-18-79 at Wrigley Field when I was 9 years old. He was my baseball hero. My birth stone is Ruby Red 'July' so when I graduated in 1987 I had 'BROCK 20 LF' with his autograph inscribed on the inside. I met him twice, and showed him the first time, and he said 'I've never had anybody do that for me before' We'll Mr. Brock you had never met your biggest fan until then. Thank you sir for being who you were, and what you did for my St. Louis Cardinals. Run Free My Friend. Run Free. God Bless+"

Roy Hulse - South Haven, IN

"13 years ago I was pitching on the back fields at Fantasy camp in Florida. From the mound, I look behind the backstop and there is my wife Wendy riding in the golf cart with Lou. Lou asked Wendy to help him pick the MVP of the camp and they road around for about 30 minutes. 5 years later we came back to the camp again and we walked into a room and Lou called out Wendy by name. We had not seen him in 5 years. When it came time for autographs from the Hall of Famers, Lou, Ozzie, Whitey and Bruce Sutter, Lou stayed after the committed time to sign extra stuff for Wendy and he asked the others to do so too. As a side note, Lou singled to right center off of me at the age of 68! Lou was an extreme gentlemen! Rest in Peace, Lou!"

Paul Koch - Morton, IL

"I thank Lou and Jackie for the times we shared at Abundant Life Church. We can never forget the Love they poured into us as a family and the investment in the program called Script. They are the most lovable and kind people I had met. Thank God Lou is at home now, he finished well. Love you Sis Jackie."

Merian Woods - St. Louis, MO

"When I was a little boy I played for Lou Brock's Boys Club. At the end of the season we had a banquet and Lou Brock handed me my first ever trophy. 45 years later I still have that trophy."

Cody Brown - St. Louis, MO

"Years ago, Branch Rickey once said, and I quote, 'there is no substitute for speed' and Lou Brock surely gave that to all the years he played for the St. Louis Cardinals. With the grace he had for the fans and future Redbirds that he welcomed to the organization, we will miss this good man."

Frank Andello - Cordova, TN

"I am almost 71 years old and I remember Lou Brock coming up with the Cubs and then the great trade my Cardinals made getting Lou. I will miss him at Opening Day. Lou Brock not only was a great Hall of Fame baseball player but also a great man. I had the great pleasure of meeting Lou and he was a true professional and gave his time to talk to me. He even signed a Lou Brock Statue which which I showcase in my Cardinals room with great pride. I cherish those memories. Lou Brock you will be greatly missed by this Cardinals fan, but you will never be forgotten. I will always be thinking of you and cherishing the great moments of your Hall of Fame playing days."

Steven Horst - Ramsey, IL

"Cardinals had many greats, rank Mr. Brock at the top of the list! Thank you so much for showing me the way to live my life! You put fun in the game! Your baseball abilities were second to none! Because of you, baseball was a much better sport! You epitomized what a star and a human being is supposed to be! Thank you to your family for sharing him with the Cardinal Nation!"

Frank Simmons - Middletown, MO

"To my favorite St. Louis Cardinal - what a great man and wonderful human being. Rest In Peace."

Tammy Wheatley - Jacksonville, IL

"Hard to believe another one of the greatest Cardinals is gone. Very sad day for St Louis. I remember the excitement he created every time he got on base. May your family find comfort during this difficult time. RIP. Lou, we love you!"

Ron Hejnal - Saint Charles, MO

"You've been a shining star to this Cardinals Fan since you joined the team in 1964. Thank you for sharing your talents with us and giving us 19 years of enjoyment watching you."

Tina Doeller - St. Charles, MO

"Over 40 years ago, while on vacation, my family and I were at a game in St Louis. Prior to the start of the game, my brother and I walked down to the dugout area, hoping to see a Cardinal and maybe get an autograph. Much to our surprise, Lou walked out. We immediately started calling out, 'Mr Brock, Mr Brock'. He came right over and signed our programs. We were so excited to get our favorite Cardinals autograph. I still have that program to this day."

Tim Scott - Bowling Green, KY

"Lou was obviously a great ball player and Cardinal. His character was even greater than his career."

Randy Graham - St. Louis, MO

"My condolences to the Brock family and the Cardinal organization. When you think of a class individual you think of #20. Lou was my childhood hero and like many other kids in the 70's I would pretend to be him while playing ball in the yard with my Dad. When he broke Ty Cobb's stolen base record in 1977 I was listening to the game on KMOX, I was just 8 years old and remember Jack's call vividly. There is nothing like the bond a Father and Son form as baseball fans and I am truly grateful for the experiences. Today's generation of athlete could learn a great deal from the grace and professionalism that Lou exemplified. You can see that simply by watching his Hall of Fame speech into Cooperstown. Rest in peace Lou. Swipe a few in heaven."

Randy McKenzie - Knox City, MO

"Mr. Brock will be missed. I would see him with his red jacket on going to his box at the game. He took good care of the Cardinals and Cardinals took good care of him, a shared pride. I didn't see him play in person, but I know the positive impact he made of the city of St. Louis and all of sport. See you in Heaven Mr. Brock."

William Johnson - Belleville, IL

"I'll never, ever forget the wonderful days and nights at Busch Stadium and the sound of 'He's safe!'"

Max Hug - St. Louis, MO / San Antonio, TX

"Thank you so much for all the memories Mr. Brock. You were a great man on and especially off the field. You will always be remembered as a class act sir. God speed."

John Jones - Troy, MO

"A great man, a wonderful example of class, respect, dignity! One of the greatest ever to play the game of baseball! Another legend and icon who leaves us with his wonderful memories for the ages! God Bless You Lou!"

Gerald Winter - St. Louis, MO

"Lou's Hall of Fame speech is my favorite of all-time. I was fortunate to get his autograph as a kid and love his perfect signature. A class man who will be missed."

Chip Radke - Ballwin, MO

"While I never met Mr. Brock, everything I've read or heard about him was that he was kind, generous human being. All of his baseball years are truly going to be remembered, him, as a person of faith and compassion will certainly be remembered. Thoughts and prayers to his family and friends. What a wonderful life he lived."

Tammy Ziegelmeyer - Imperial, MO

"I named my son Brock....Is there really anything else to say?"

Denny Wonsick - Dauphin, PA

"I am heartbroken that we have lost Lou Brock. Nothing compares to the excitement of the fans as Lou reached first base. He was a lifelong Cardinal. Thank you to his family for sharing his indomitable spirit with St. Louis Cardinal Nation since 1964. There's only one Lou Brock."

Eileen Carlson - St. Louis, MO

"I was blessed to grow up in the best baseball town in the USA. Lou, you were a large part of that continued tradition in St. Louis and the reason I ALWAYS wore #20 on every team I played from grade school to college. You were my first favorite sports figure as a young girl and I marveled at your speed and grace on the base pads. Even greater was your kindness and class off the field, with all the love you gave to your fans. I never heard one disparaging word spoken about you. A true class act. Thanks for enhancing my love of Cardinal Baseball evermore. Godspeed."

Michele Sullivan - St. Louis, MO

"We never saw an interview in which Lou wasn't smiling. He was an inspiration for millions of us Cardinal fans."

Wayne Rehmer - Red Bud, IL

"RIP, Mr. Brock. Thank you for your great example as both a HOF ballplayer and more importantly as a man for others. As your son put it so well, 'A life well-lived'."

David O'Sullivan - Chicago, IL

"Lou, I wore #20 my whole life because of you. You were my inspiration and my favorite Card. The 314 and all of baseball will miss you."

Jeff Morris - St Louis, MO

"Lou Brock was my childhood hero. How many times has that been uttered over the last few days? I first met him at an autograph signing at Stix Baer & Fuller in 1973. He was larger than life to me as a 7 year old boy who loved baseball. He represented all that was right about the game. No player was ever more exciting. We were in line for a long while and as we approached the table, my 3 year old sister who had grown tired of the whole affair yelled out; 'I don't like Lou Brock!' Mr. Brock heard this and responded with mock indignation; 'Who said that?' I still have that signed photo and have always cherished it. When I learned of Mr. Brock's passing I reflected on what he still meant to me. As a lifelong baseball fan, I really want to thank him. He brought me to the game I love and for that I will forever be grateful. As a now 53 year old man, he will forever remain my hero. After all, you only have one first favorite player. My condolences to his family and Rest in Peace Lou Brock."

Troy Whitworth - Florissant, MO

"Sweet Lou. My favorite Cardinal of all time. Rest In Peace #20."

Bob Williams - Wildwood, MO

"I have such great wonderful and exciting memories of Mr. Lou Brock! He was such an awesome player and a down to earth man. He was and still will always be a great man who lead by example of kindness and humbleness. You are greatly missed by us all and in our hearts forever! Jackie what an awesome lady you are and wonderful wife and mother! We are here for you and family. God Bless."

Carole Landy-Burkhalter - Richmond Heights, MO

"Thank you for the talent, respect and love you've shown us for many years. You will be greatly missed. We love you."

Patricia Wells - St. Louis, MO

"I never got to watch Mr. Brock play but being a Cardinals fan I quickly learned how good of a player and person he was. I will miss joining in on the 'LOOOOUU' chants at Opening Days. Rest In Peace Lou. Cardinal Forever."

Maria S. - St. Louis, MO

"My daughter was a toddler when, with her on my hip, we stood in line to meet Lou Brock at an autograph session in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1986. He kindly signed our baseballs and I shook his hand. He extended his hand to my two-year-old and she took it. Lauren is 36 now and proudly tells the story of shaking hands with the great Lou Brock, a true gentleman of baseball."

Denise Johnson - Fayetteville, AR

"Thanks for the memories Lou. Three World Series 3000 plus hits...and all those steals. We will never forget you. God speed."

Ed Bergeron - St. Louis, MO

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"RIP Lou Brock. You brought a lot of great memories to me as young boy watching you steal all those bases. Always one of my favorite players."

Mike Conaway - St. James, MO

"Lou Brock epitomized excellence. His behavior on and off the field was stellar. As a young man growing up in St. Louis and playing baseball he taught me the importance of base stealing's impact on the game. The pressure he put on pitchers and infielders was at best game changing. We used to say a walk is as good as a hit. Well with Brock a walk could lead to a run. We will miss you Lou. Thanks for sharing your life with us baseball fans."

Dennis Flannigan - St. Louis, MO

"Not only was Lou one of the best baseball players to ever play in St. Louis, he was a role model for role models."

John Barlos - Saint Charles, MO

"One my true heroes growing up and playing baseball. He was a Hall of Fame player, but more importantly was a Hall of Fame man. Love you Lou."

John Carney - Cabot, AR

"RIP, one of my many Cardinal favorites. What a fantastic individual to represent the 'Cardinal Way'"

Jerry Wilson - Gary, IN

"Lou. You were a great ball player but a better person. I sat behind you on a 2 hour flight one night and listened as you talked baseball joyfully with a complete stranger. You are one of the nicest people ever. God bless you and your family."

Dave Neptune - St. Louis, MO

"As a Cincinnati kid but die hard Cards fan in the late 60s my dad would take me to Crosley Field for batting practice whenever the Birds were visiting. On one occasion Mr. Brock waved at me to come over to the dugout. He handed me his bat and flashed that million dollar smile. I treasure the memory and it was all I could do to lug the treasure back to my seat. It still has his number 20 in crayon on the knob. I wrote Mr. Brock a letter a couple of years ago sharing just how much that meant to me as a child. May God bless your family and RIP, my friend."

Duff Ortman - Lexington, KY

"I had the honor and privilege to see Lou thru out his Cardinal Career. One of, if not the classiest man in baseball. Not just a Cardinal, smiling, teaching, a genuine caring for the City and the Cardinals. I have A Signed Baseball and cherish it even more. In My Personal Hall Of Fame Autographs. Musial, Gibson, Brock, Cepeda, McGwire and the list goes on. Thank You seems to be shallow words to honor such a great man. #20 wow what a Man!"

Donald Durzo - Woodstock, MO

"One of best Cardinals player is no longer with us. Make he Rest In Peace. He will be the king of stolen bases in STL Cardinal history. Long live Lou."

Carol Suda - St. Louis, MO

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Lou's entire family. Lou was one of the greatest players to ever play the game. It was so exciting to watch him play the game we all love. As a kid playing baseball, he was by far my favorite player! Thank you Lou, for all the great memories!"

• Jeff Challandes - Edwardsville, IL

"Lou Brock was one-of-a-kind. It didn't matter whether the Cardinals were winning or losing. Just seeing Lou get on base and execute the art of stealing bases was worth the price of admission. He had a style all his own. Lou Brock may have stolen many bases; however, he stole millions of our hearts. He's now heading to his eternal 'home plate', and going out as the winner he always has been."

Evan Mahan - Taylorville, IL

"I am Blessed to be a Cardinal fan and Lou Brock was and is my favorite Cardinals player. R.I.P."

Don Ratliff - Hiawatha, IA