St. Cloud, MN – Former St. Cloud Rox player and Major League baseball Hall-of-Famer Lou Brock passed away at the age of 81 on Sunday, September 6th.

On April 15th, 1961, Brock traveled from Southern Louisiana to St. Cloud Minnesota to try and live out his dream of becoming a professional baseball player. On April 27th, 1961, Brock got his start in professional baseball by hitting a home run in his first at bat for the St. Cloud Rox. Brock would be named the Northern League Rookie of the Year for the Rox as he led the league in several offensive categories including hits (181), total bases (268), and average (.361). Ironically, he did not lead the league in stolen bases.

Lou went directly from the St. Cloud outfield to the Chicago Cubs at the end of the ’61 season. He had an outstanding 19-year career in the majors, spent mostly with the St. Louis Cardinals, helping them win three pennants and two World Series titles in the 1960’s. He led the National League in stolen bases 8 times, including a single season record of 118 in 1974. Lou was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1985, the first year of eligibility.