On his way to rewriting the record books, Cardinals legend and future Hall of Famer Lou Brock grabs a groundbreaking bag against the Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago
On July 29, 1974, St. Louis Cardinals legend and future Hall of Famer Lou Brock stole his 700th career base against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The iconic speedster was not only on his way to setting a single-season record for steals, but also surpassing Ty Cobb as the game’s all-time leader. (Both records have since been surpassed by fellow Hall of Fame base thief Rickey Henderson.)
Brock’s milestone was another step in one of the most remarkable seasons ever produced by a leadoff hitter. Just weeks later, he eclipsed Maury Wills’ modern-era single-season record of 104 stolen bases, ultimately finishing the 1974 campaign with an astounding 118 steals—a National League record that still stands today. His daring baserunning transformed close games into victories and forced opposing pitchers and catchers to alter their entire approach whenever he reached base.
When Brock retired following the 1979 season, he owned the Major League record with 938 career stolen bases, a mark that symbolized an era in which speed could be just as devastating a weapon as power. A six-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion, Brock was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985 on the first ballot, cementing his place among the greatest leadoff hitters in baseball history. More than a prolific base stealer, Brock revolutionized the running game, proving that relentless speed, intelligence, and fearless aggression could change the course of a game—and influence generations of players who followed.
