On September 23, 1979, Lou Brock stole the 938th base of his career during a 7-4 victory over the Mets in New York. The stolen base eclipsed the all-time mark of 937 set by Billy Hamilton who played for the Kansas City Cowboys, Philadelphia Phillies, and the team who would later become known as the Braves, the Boston Beaneaters in a career that spanned from 1888 to 1901. As mentioned in the story featured in the picture Hamilton's stolen base totals included advances on infield outs as well as advances on fly ball outs. The modern record, which has been previously held by Ty Cobb had set at 892 until Brock swiped 893 in August of 1977. He had one more mark in his sights after surpassing Cobb, which was the one held by Hamilton. Brock stepped into the box in the fifth with the Birds trailing 4-2. He drew a walk, then took the base. Number 938. He was the all time stolen base king. He then scored on an error, so it could be said that the swiped bag was a key part of a game winning rally, which took ten innings to put in the books. That stolen base was the last stolen base of Brock's legendary career. A career that ended with a statue in front of Busch and plaque in Cooperstown.Couple of side notes: 888 of Brock's 938 stolen bases came with the Birds on the Bat across his chest. The other 50 came in Chicago before he was traded to the club in 1964. Hamilton's 937 stolen bases has since been adjusted to 914. Brock's record has since been surpassed by Rickey Henderson who holds the all time title with 1,406 stolen bases, however, he is nor ever will be Louuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!!!
Check out the box score here: http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYN/NYN197909230.shtml
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