Lou Brock, St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Famer, died this past Sunday at 81 years old after a long battle with cancer. The left fielder led the league in many aspects of the game, and brought much success to the Cardinals organization. His achievements will be remembered for many years to come.

Lou Brock played a total of 19 seasons, 16 of those as one of the Cardinals most decorated players. Brock led the team to back to back World Series Championships in 1967 and 1968, after already winning in 1964. Cardinals players took a moment of silence before their game against the Cubs on Monday September 7 in memory of Brock.

“Lou was among the game’s most exciting players, becoming the 14th player in history to reach 3,000 hits and holding Baseball’s all-time record for stolen bases in a season and career for many years,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said.

Brock began his career with the Chicago Cubs before being traded to the Cardinals in 1964 where he began to shine on the field. Brock hit an average of .348 with 12 homers, 44 RBIs and 33 steals in 103 games in his first season with the Redbirds.

Brock proceeded to show his talent when he stole 52 bases and hit 21 home runs in 1967 making him the first player to hit more than 20 homers with at least 50 steals in a season. He continued to break hitting records, lead the league in stolen bases, and went on to become the first major leaguer to have an award named after him while he was still playing.

“Lou Brock was one of the most revered members of the St. Louis Cardinals organization, and one of the very best to ever wear the Birds on the Bat,” Cardinals owner William O. DeWitt Jr. said.

The lead off hitter retired in 1979 as the single-season and all-time leader in stolen bases, and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985. His legacy as one of the greatest athletes in MLB lives on through the Cardinals organization, players and fans.