Lou Brock throws first-pitch strike less than six months after leg amputation

Jason Foster

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Lou Brock throws first-pitch strike less than six months after leg amputation image

Lou Brock's ceremonial first pitch Monday for the Cardinals' home opener was more than just a typical pre-game ritual. It also represented a comeback from a serious health scare.

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The Cardinals Hall of Famer threw a strike right down the middle less than six months after having his left leg amputated below the knee because of a diabetes-related infection, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The infection also spread to the 76-year-old Brock's heart, lungs and kidneys, and he also had heart bypass surgery. Now recovered from those scares, Brock still looks comfortable with a baseball in his hand.

 His pitch to Cardinals great Ted Simmons from 35 feet away had plenty of zip. Here's another view from a fan.

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The Cardinals won 10-1, but Brock stole the show.

Jason Foster

Jason Foster Photo

Jason Foster joined The Sporting News in 2015 after stops at various news outlets where he held a variety of reporting and editing roles and covered just about every topic imaginable. He is a member of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America and a 1998 graduate of Appalachian State University.