Left-handed outfielder Lou Brock was one of the better hitters to play the game of baseball.  In his career, Brock hit .293 and was a member of the 3,000 hit club with 3,023 career hits.  Brock made a career out of consistent play, but one of his best seasons by far came in 1974.

On this day, December 24th, in 1974, the great Lou Brock from the St. Louis Cardinals was named Sportsmen of the Year. Brock’s 1974 season was characterized by great on-base play.  That year, Brock broke Maury Wills’ single-season stolen base record of 104, ending the season with 118.  Brock finished the year second in NL Most Valuable Player voting.

Lou Brock was named to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985.  His stolen base record stood for 8 years until broken by Rickey Henderson of the Oakland Athletics.