After an abysmal 1978 campaign, HOFer Lou Brock returned to form in 1979, hitting .314 in April and .433 in May, and got the most write-in votes of any National League all-star candidate. At the all-star break, Brock was batting .322 and was within 27 hits of reaching 3,000. National League manager Tommy Lasorda of the Dodgers selected Brock as a reserve outfielder. “Lou Brock has been an inspiration to everyone in baseball,” Lasorda said to Fort Lauderdale News columnist Bernie Lincicome. “This is our way of saying thanks for all the years you’ve given baseball.” In the second, with one out and Bob Boone of the Phillies on first, Carlton was due to bat. Lasorda again honored Brock by selecting him to be the first pinch-hitter of the game. Stepping to the plate for Carlton, his former Cardinals teammate, Brock came through with the single. (In regular-season games versus Ryan in his career, Brock produced a .516 on-base percentage, with five hits, 11 walks and a sacrifice fly in 31 plate appearances, according to baseball-reference.com.) The hit gave Brock, a six-time all-star, a career .375 batting average in the five All-Star Games he played. Adironodack 256S ALL STAR “79” LOU BROCK pro model bat - 33” / 32.3oz. Accompanied by a PSA/DNA LOA, as well as a MEARS LOA - A8.