Major League Baseball

St. Louis Cardinals legend Lou Brock battling cancer

Published Apr. 14, 2017 10:45 a.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

Barry Werner

St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Famer Lou Brock is suffering from multiple myeloma, a blood cancer that starts in the bone marrow's plasma cells.

The team said Brock was diagnosed recently and is undergoing treatment in St. Louis.

"I am disappointed that I won't be able to make the event," Brock said in a release, referring to an April 25 appearance at Busch Stadium. "Jackie (Brock's wife) and I appreciate the prayers and support we have received from our many friends and fans in the Cardinals community. We count ourselves blessed that I am receiving the best possible medical treatment and we look forward to seeing many more Cardinals World Series championships in the future."

Brock, 77, was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985 after a 19-year career in which he stole 938 bases -- still a National League record. He posted 12 seasons with 50 or more steals in a season, and he ranks 25th on the all-time list with 3,023 hits.

Brock's illness kept him from Cards' Spring Training camp, where he usually serves as a guest instructor. He was missing from the team's Opening Day festivities as well.

Jackie Brock told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that no "gallant steps to anything that powerful," had been decided on yet.

Jackie Brock said the cancer had been diagnosed early. "The prognosis is very good," Mrs. Brock said. Multiple myleoma is one of the easier cancerous conditions to care for, so he's getting the top treatment for that.

"We're just believing for an excellent prognosis. He's doing well. We're believing for victory and we're trying to get it for him.  The challenges are out there but we've got the whole (Cardinals) team fighting for him."



 

share

Get more from Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Major League Baseball