April 9, 1979: Lou Brock Announces His Retirement

     On April 9, 1979, the end of an era was announced as Lou Brock told the media his playing days would be coming to close at season's end. The famed base burglar was in his 19th season at the time and just 100 hits shy of the coveted 3,000 hit mark. The '78 season had been a disappointment for Brock, as he recorded a .221 average and picked up just 66 hits, which led him to telling the press that he would be retiring no matter if he hit the mark or not.  Brock quickly put the '78 season behind him as he flew out the gate putting the bat on the ball. By the end of May he had 45 hits in 118 at bats, and by mid August he recorded that 3,000th hit. On September 30, 1979, Brock's journey as a player on a big league diamond came to a close. After taking off his uniform one last time Brock knew no other player in the Cardinals organization would wear the number 20 on his back.

Stats of a legend: http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/brocklo01.shtml

Read Brock's SABR Bio here: sabr.org/bioproj/person/cb8af7aa