Hall of Famer Brock pays visit to Giants' clubhouse

SAN FRANCISCO -- Lou Brock's reputation preceded him, which is saying something given the speed he once displayed.

"Ready to steal a base?" Giants outfielder Gregor Blanco asked the Hall of Famer, who visited the team's clubhouse Saturday morning.

"Can you give me some basestealing tips?" right fielder Hunter Pence said during a lively exchange with Brock, 74.

Brock, who set career and single-season records for stolen bases until Rickey Henderson shattered both marks, was in town as a spokesman for the American Diabetes Association. One base Brock didn't steal occurred in a 1978 game when Giants manager Bruce Bochy, then catching for the Houston Astros, threw out Brock at second base.

"I told him it's a good thing they didn't have instant replay then," Bochy jokingly said.

A six-time All-Star with St. Louis, Brock was visiting AT&T Park for the first time. Naturally, he had indelible memories of performing at windy Candlestick Park, which is bound to be demolished or imploded in the near future.

"I called for a fly ball that Willie McCovey hit," said Brock, who ranged far from his spot in left field to make the play. "I caught it in shallow right field."