Who woulda thunk it

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - The centerfield bleachers in the old Polo Grounds, home to the Giants, Yankees and Mets at various times, were 460 feet from home plate. Quite a poke. Since the ballpark was remodeled in 1923, and until this date in 1962, only one Major League Baseball player hit a home run into those bleachers – Joe Adcock of the Milwaukee Braves (today's Atlanta Braves). At 6'4" Adcock looked the part of a slugger.

On June 17, 1962 a second ballplayer hit a ball into the center field bleachers of the Polo Grounds, but you'd be surprised who. It was Lou Brock of the Chicago Cubs, a man known more for his base stealing than slugging. Brock's blast helped the Cubs beat the New York Mets 8-7. The Mets called the Polo Grounds home while waiting for Shea Stadium to be built.

Brock wasn't exactly unfamiliar with the slow trot around the bases. He would finish his career with 149 home runs and over 900 runs driven in.

Brock was traded to St. Louis two years later where he'd spend the rest of his hall of fame career as a Cardinal.

*Luke Easter did it in a Negro League game in 1948.

CONTRIBUTING SOURCES:
Chicago Tribune, June 18, 1962, by Richard Dozer

New York Times, June 18, 1962
The Polo Grounds

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