Black History Month Profiles: Lou Brock, Kirby Puckett and Don Newcombe

Lou Brock

Lightning on the base paths and slick as a cat, Lou Brock changed the game of baseball by becoming a master in the art of stealing bases. Before Rickey Henderson broke the all-time stolen base record, he accumulated 938 stolen bases during his 19-year career.

Brock started off with the Chicago Cubs, but when he failed to impress the brass in the organization, he was traded to the Cardinals for Ernie Brogilio, which until this day remains one of the lopsided deals ever in baseball history.

Lou was a six-time All-Star selection, and is a member of the 3,000 hit club. He helped the St. Louis Cardinals to three National League pennants and two World Series championships.

He was elected to the National Hall of Fame in 1985.

Kirby Puckett

One of my favorite players growing up, Kirby Puckett epitomized the spirit of baseball and what it means to be a ball player.

Although short in stature, he was a man who carried a big bat and was a five-tool player. Seemingly always with a smile on his face, he was a fun-loving guy who was icon of Minnesota and in his 12 years in the game, he had a lifetime batting average of .318 with 207 home runs.

Puckett helped the Twins to World Series titles in 1987 and 1991, and as well was a 6 time Gold Glover and played on 10 All-Star teams.

Sadly, he had to leave the game after the 1995 season due to irreversible retina damage in his right eye.

He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2001, and passed away in 2006.

Don Newcombe

Called up by the Brooklyn Dodgers from their minor league farm club, Don Newcombe was the first great African American pitcher in the Major Leagues. Before he joined the Dodgers, he played for the Newark Eagles in the Negro National League and was a standout pitcher there.

Newcombe was dominant from the get-go, and in his rookie year, 1949, he went 17-8, 3.17 ERA, started 31 games, completed 19 along with 3 shutouts and was voted the Rookie of the Year.

In 1956, Don Newcombe won the Cy Young, and Most Valuable Player Awards. Throughout his short career, he won 20 games three times, plus 19 and 17 in his first 6 seasons. Overall, he won 149 and lost 90 (.623), with 24 shutouts.

As bright as his flame light, his career got derailed by military service, but sadly too, alcoholism; thus, he was out of the sport by 31.