A year of Lou Brock
 

Inspired by a thread on the CU forums where a Gary Carter fan posted something from his collection every day of Gary Carter, over the next year I will post something from my collection several times per week of Lou Brock, in chronological order. I have close to 300 unique items, most from the period 1962 to 1981. I have stayed away from the 100's of newer cards for the most part.

So, from 1962 -

He looks soooo much better wearing red.

Lou as a Cub
 

It is his only card where he looks sad... no wonder contemplating a career as a Cub with no World Series appearances. How happy did Broglio look in his first Cub card :-)

There were better days, much better days ahead!

Cool, looking forward to your posts. Brock has a ton of great cards.

Lou is still not smiling, but here is his 1963 Jay Publishing card.

Louuuuuuu!!!
 

Thank you for this thread. My favorite player growing up. A class act. Have a great card of Lou I will scan and post soon.

He looks slightly happier in the Jay Publishing card. ha

A hint of a smile, better days are on the horizon..... I got this 63 Topps High Number at a national Sports Net show in Orlando while on vacation in the early 90's. Anybody remember Sports Net in the early internet days? Anyway, out of dozens of dealers, there was only 1 63 and I bought it......

I got this card out of a pack at age 11. Lou signed it for me that year. Probably my favorite card in my collection. Sorry David if I stole your thunder, I had it scanned with the '65.

Ummm, you need 65 more items :D

Nice thread!

Here's where the story gets good....
Sorry David I have totally hijacked this thread.

I'll just have to buy some more....

Here is the 64 Topps, 64 Topps hand cut with blank back (no idea what it is), and 64 Venezuela

64 Brock
 

David---do you think it is a proof card or just a blank back error ?

Nice Venezuelan

From the desk of Woody Gelman (head of Topps for years) via the Topps vault.

Doubt if it is a blank back error, it is hand cut.

Could be a "proof" - whatever a proof is.

Great thread ..... Lou Brock was such a stud!!

One of my favorite all time players.

Magazine sheet from 62 or 63

Cool thread...one of my favorites. I remember when he got his 3,000 hit when I was a kid. I think through the Topps years Lou always had the coolest cards...this will be a fun thread to watch!

I remember that too. Of course it was against the Cubs. As I recall, he smote one up the middle and it careened off Dennis Lamp to the 3rd base area.

Only 2 more of him as a Cub - Good times are on the way, hence the slight smile perhaps????? Here is the 64 Jay Publishing - Day pic is 63, Night pic is 64 (or maybe the other way around, I forget).

Lou
 

Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post Dispatch is doing a series of the greatest 5 living Cardinals. Yesterday kicked it off with #5, Red Schoendienst. Today is #4, Lou.

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/colum...772b84995.html

Listened to it and some others. Thanks.

Criteria
 

What is his criteria for "being" a Cardinals. For example does Steve Carlton qualify ? As much as I like to tease Cubs fans about Broglio for Brock, Carlton for Rick Wise still makes me cringe. Gibson is obvious, and Ozzie Smith.

Smith, Sutter, Cepeda, Eckersley were all Cardinals for a time. Herzog ? LaRusa ?

As sad as I was when it happened, sure am glad Pujols is now a LAA

Not really sure at this point what his criteria is. The Wizard is #3. It will be interesting to see if Pujols is #1.

I'm not much of a Cardinals fan, but how can ANYONE other than Musial be #1?

Only for living players. The Man passed away earlier this year.

Sorry, didn't catch the living part...kind of important to that conversation. Please ignore my interruption and post more Lou Brock stuff!:D

64 Topps Coin - The last item picturing him as a Scrub.

Cubby
 

I had forgotten how many Topps items where he was a Cub

I found another Cub item from 1964 - Transfer-ettes

I beg to differ :D. That smile couldn't be any bigger.

Smile
 

Cliff--this was taken after he was told about the trade:)

Haha...I laughed out loud...literally...

First item as a Redbird - and just off a World Series championship - the first of 2.

1965 Topps - I think the only card or collectible from 1965 outside of maybe some Jay's or team stuff

But in 1966 lots of stuff will be out there.

Cardinals or Cub
 

For Cliff :)

http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1377459972

We will start 1966 off with this "marble". It may have been the worst marble ever made. It is 2 plastic bowl shaped pieces poorly glued together, so it will not roll straight, plus it is extremely light weight, so if you were trying to win your buddies marbles in 1966, this one wouldn't roll right, or push anything out of the circle..... In addition here is the package they came in with all the players that were in this particular package. They are pretty hard to find.

(Sorry for the blurry marble pictures, it was the best I could get with my cell phone)

1966 Topps Venezuela PSA (ST)

Marble & Vennies
 

David--had never seen that marble game. Neat item. Too bad the stain is front center on the Vennie. Still a nice card. By the way, what is that stain ?:)

1966 ruler

1966 Venezuela, OPC (including the ultra rare blue highlight OPC..... currently taking offers.......) and Topps

1966
 

Do you think it is a variation or a print defects :) ?

Uh.... yes and yes..... ;)

Probably extremely rare.

1967 Christmas pack with Lou on front. The back has Jim Hickman, Claude Osteen, and Leon Wagner. Yes, I know, probably fake...... but anyway here it is.

Great thread, huge Lou Brock fan here!!

Love the blue line variation...:D


This is super corny...but my favorite page in all my complete sets is the page that the 66 Topps Brock is on...that page features Killebrew (120), Tug McGraw (124), Lou Brock (125), and Jim Palmer RC (126). All 4 were at one time my favorite players of my youth...all on the same page due to their numbers. So I love the 66 Brock...

The strange things that stick out for us collectors...

Lou
 

Thanks Al.

I had Al post the 67 Punch Out as I do not have that card. It is about the only card I do not have, and I have been looking for years, it is pretty tough.

1967 Venezuela PSA graded

I just arrived home in Northern Indiana from Cincinnati (220) miles after watching the Reds pound the Redbirds 6 to 2. Twas not a good night. Anyway here are some more 67's - Topps and another Venezuelan. Lou does not have a 67 OPC.

I just noticed an interesting comment on the back. Lou is praised for his strong defense and good arm in right field. Typically he was thought of through his career as an average at best left fielder, but not in 1966 apparently.

Lou's only 1967 OPC appearance is with Curt Flood as a "Card Clubber". Here are the Topps and OPC "Cards Clubbers"

1967
 

Great year for Brock and Cardinals. World Series in "new" Stadium. I have been to world series games in St Louis in 1964 ( Grand Avenue Stadium), 1967 ("new round stadium"), 1968:(, 1982, 1985 :(, 1987 :(, 2004 :(, 2006 ( new retro stadium) and 2011 ( Game 6 :)).

Well, here is a picture of the 1967 World Champion St. Louis Cardinals to start 1968 off with. It's actually more on postcard stock with a blank back. Al, you've been to a few WS games in St. Louis. Is there anybody alive who has been to a World Series game at Wrigley Field??? hee hee..... sorry Cub fans.

Now that your up to 1968-please post the bazooka panel from 1968! thanks

1967 Champs
 

LOL, looks like a modern "chrome card"!

Your wish is my command. This is a tough panel, maybe all the 68's are tough? I don't know, but I looked for years. I think I've only seen 1 or 2 others on Ebay in 10 years. Also pictured is his page from the Tipps from the Topps pamphlet which is the same as the card, but in black and white.

Interestingly enough, in the booklet, Maury Wills instructs on sliding, Bert Campaneris in base stealing, and Brock on base running.

Tips From Topps
 

Al - What is the poster you put up there of the El Birdos champions?

Very cool piecel

Ash Tray
 

It's an ash tray from a different era

LOL. No one under 30 knows what an ash tray is used for, or why anyone needed them.

The Greyhound Bus Company put out these pamphlets honoring the Stolen Base leaders. This is the one from 1968. I do not have one from 1969 and to my knowledge have never seen the 1969, but have all the others up to 1976.

It is folded over to show the cover, I think it is Bert Campaneris to the left of Brock under the fold.

Great idea for a thread, David!

I just looked at Lou's baseball reference page. I can't believe he stole 118 bases in 1974...at age 35! I'm 41, and I don't steal anything but extra sleep. :D How the hell could he do that in his mid 30s?

In 1968 Atlantic Oil put out some "Cards" which were given out when you purchased gas at an Atlantic Oil (Originally part of Standard Oil, then became ARCO - Atlantic Richfield, then purchased by Sunoco). Some could be redeemed for money, making them almost impossible to find. There are also some variations I think in regards to the printing of the number on the front (Black ink vs. Gray Ink). I haven't chased them that hard..... yet.

There were 2 different backs, a rule back and a batting pose back. Also pictured here is an unissued card which apparently never got glued to the peel off front (Thanks Adam....)

Due to the nature of issuance, I doubt a NM example exists of any of these.

The Cardinals won the WS in 1967, beating the Red Sox in 7 games (much like the Cubs did well over a century ago). As a result they are featured in the 68 Topps set. Brock and Gibson were once again the stars, and in game 1he had 4 hits, thus getting him on the first WS card. Here it is in a blank back "proof" of some sort, Venezuelan, Topps, and OPC.

Hey David where have you been? I hope all is well with you it's been two days without any new Brocks. I look forward to your Brock posts. Here a Malcolm Emmons photo to keep your thread going.

Mike

Busy weekend, here are the 68 Topps regular and All Star Cards. I think the 68 AS puzzle on the back is Orlando Cepeda, but he is using Lou Brock's bat.

He does not have OPC or Venezuelan issues of these cards.

68
 

Or MB

Backing up a year to 1967 again, here is a ruler that I overlooked, similar to the 1966 ruler. I have seen an occasional 1966 and 67, but never any other years so perhaps they were only made these 2 years.

Transitioning from 1968 to 1969, here are some buttons. 1967 National League Champs, 1969 MLBPA large pin (identified looking at the back, and along the edge where the pin meets the metal, you can make out 1969 MBLPA), 1969 Kelly's Potato Chips (also says 1969 MLBPA along back edge), and 1969 MLBPA small pin (also identified by looking at the back along the edge of the pin).

After the Cards successes in 1967 and 68 Lou would be on many issues the next few years. However the Cards were about to head into a long dry spell with little success, due in part to some really bad personnel decisions.

Bad decisions
 

Steve Carlton and Rick Wise come to mind

...40s, good--50s, bad--60s, good-- 70s, bad-- 80s, good-- 90s, bad-- 2000s, good.

Historically, only the Yankees have been more successful --18 appearance, 11 wins

In 1970 the rotation featured Jerry Reuss age 21, Mike Torrez age 23, and Carlton age 25. All traded for various reasons.

In 1968 they traded 22 year old Bobby Tolan for 30 year old Vada Pinson.

In 1971 they brought up 21 year old Jose Cruz and sold him in 1974 to the Astros.

Fireballing Jim Bibby came up in 1972 - traded to the Rangers in 1973.

1974 nice trade for Reggie Smith - 1976 traded him for catcher Joe Ferguson when you had Ted Simmons????

Bake McBride wins ROY 1974 traded 1977 for spare parts.

Then Vern Rapp as manager....... yikes........

Fortunately Whitey Herzog came along........

Also had Mike Cuellar but...

June 15, 1965: Traded by the St. Louis Cardinals with Ron Taylor to the Houston Astros for Chuck Taylor and Hal Woodeshick.

Cuellar
 

All we got was a Wood Chuck ?

Finishing out 1968 - I don't really collect all the numerous magazine covers and baseball periodicals Brock appeared on, there are dozens from SI to Baseball Digest to whatever, but after the 67 World Series the Cards toured Japan (despite the loss to the Tigers). Here is a magazine on extremely cheap paper all in Japanese which was I assume sold in Japan. How it got to the U.S. I don't know. Brock, Gibson, and Cepeda are featured prominently, however the bulk of the magazine is Japanese players and teams.

From 1969 to the mid 70's Lou Brock was featured on a lot of cards each year.

Here is the 1969 Milton Bradley board game card. (Clearly I am in need of an upgrade on this one, I am not sure what the grease smudge is on it). I remember playing this game (or maybe the 1970 or 72 version of it) at a friends house.

Lou Brock
 

Just a side note...some pretty cool Brock transparencies in the thetoppsvault auctions on the bay. Oh and thanks for sharing; very nice items.

Thanks. I have a few Topps Vault items. They have some cool and one of a kind items.

This will be the last post until Monday, as I am going to Mackinaw Island this weekend to celebrate my 25th wedding anniversary and will be concentrating more on that than cards.....

In 1969 Nabisco put cards on boxes of Nabisco product. Also using the same picture was Globe publishing, which printed these black and white "cards" which are really just thick paper and anyone with a photo copier I suppose could make them. I assume mine is real. Either way they have little value.

Also in 1969 Sports Illustrated made posters using the same images as the Nabisco cards. The poster is on ebay all the time, I don't have one, I just don't have anywhere to put it up.

In 1969 the fledgling MLBPA was promoting the players in many ways. They produced these MLBPA "Photo Stamps". They apparently came in several ways. Here is a booklet to glue them into, along with the stamps. They also came in a large sheet format. The fronts are the same, the backs are different. Tomorrow I will put up the large sheet front and back.