Elephant Rumblings: Lou Brock, Hall of Fame outfielder, dies at 81

Good morning, Athletics Nation!

Less than a week after the passing of Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver, the baseball world lost another titan. Outfielder and speedster Lou Brock died Sunday at the age of 81.

The precise cause of death was not given in the report by Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, but Brock had overcome a multitude of serious health issues over the years. He was known for his resilience and durability during his playing career and beyond, and was described as the “toughest SOB I’ve ever seen” by late Hall of Famer and Brock’s former manager Red Schoendienst, via Hummel.

On the field, Brock collected 3,023 hits but was best known for his speed. His 938 stolen bases were the all-time record until Rickey Henderson came along, and Brock once swiped 118 in a single year in 1974 (also surpassed by Rickey). His WAR total isn’t high in retrospect, but he was considered a key cog in a St. Louis Cardinals era that produced two World Series champions in 1964 and ‘67. He received MVP votes in 10 different seasons, including a runner-up finish in ‘74.

Born in 1939, Brock began his career with the Chicago Cubs in 1961 but was traded to the Cardinals in ‘64 in one of the most lopsided deals in history. He went on to spend 16 seasons in St. Louis, earning two rings and six All-Star berths. In three trips to the World Series (each seven games in length, 21 total), he batted .391 with a 1.079 OPS, 13 extra-base hits, 13 RBI, 16 runs scored, and 14 steals in 16 attempts. He was elected to the Hall of Fame on his first ballot in 1985.

A’s Coverage

• Slusser: A’s Marcus Semien progressing, might return to lineup for bulk of Astros series ($)
• Slusser: A’s, Astros set for important five-game series at Coliseum — both teams banged up ($)
• Hickey: After Fearing His Season Might Be Over, Athletics Hendriks Can’t Wait to Pitch
• Hickey: Minor Seeing a Bright Future, both for Athletics and for Himself
• AN: Matt Chapman leaves Sunday game early with hip injury
• AN: Where should Tommy La Stella bat in the A’s lineup?
• Friday: Game #35: A’s shut out by Padres 7-0 in return from hiatus
• Saturday: Game #36: A’s bounce back with 8-4 win, first in 10 days
• Sunday: Game #37: A’s fall short in finale, lose 5-3 to Padres

MLB News & Interest

• The Astros got swept by the Angels lololol
• Today in Baseball History

Last Weekend’s Game Highlights

Friday: Loss! They finally got a replay review right, and it still went against the A’s.

Saturday: Win! And a big day for rookie Jonah Heim, with a pair of RBI hits.

Sunday: Loss! And back to the usual botched replay review.

Best of Twitter

I would like to officially nominate “poopstripes” as the new descriptor for the Padres uniforms

... But still, last weekend was a matchup of the two most unique and interesting jerseys in the majors

Notable detail for the upcoming series

Also notable, though not for this week’s series

The esteemed Platinum Sombrero, with surprisingly good company

... The answer to those Ks? More batting practice! (Including switch-hitting Oly?)

And you thought it was hot in Oakland yesterday (mid/high-90s at the Coliseum)

Big Max

Or perhaps three children stacked on top of each other to look like an adult? (Come to think of it, that’s actually a pretty good description of Braden in general.)