Hall of Famer Brock, Cardinals legend, dies at 81

Lou Brock, the St. Louis Cardinals' speedster who was a first-ballot member of Baseball's Hall of Fame, has died at 81, the team told ESPN.

Brock retired in 1979 as the single-season and all-time leader in stolen bases; marks since surpassed by Rickey Henderson. He was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1985.

After showing flashes of his potential with the Chicago Cubs, Brock's career took off when he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals on June 15, 1964. Acquired in a trade for pitcher Ernie Broglio, Brock became the team's left fielder and hit .348 with 12 homers, 44 RBI and 33 steals in just 103 games.

The Cardinals won the World Series in seven games over the Yankees in '64 and Brock would lead the team back to the Series again in '67 and '68. Brock had 12 hits in '67 when St. Louis beat the Boston Red Sox in seven games, then had 13 hits a year later as Detroit took the title.