Stan Musial - 1920-2013
1920 - 1937
MUSIAL'S CHILDHOOD
Stan Musial was born on November 21, 1920 in Doaora, PA and in growing up could not remember a time when he did not play baseball. He wanted to be a big league baseball player from the time he was 8 years old. Musial signed his first contract with the Cardinals in the summer of 1937 as a 16-year-old.
1937 - 1941
MUSIAL'S MINOR LEAGUE CAREER
At 17 years of age and while still a senior in high school, Musial reported to the Williamson West Virglna baseball club in the class D Mountain State League, as a pitcher.
1938 - Williamson W.Va Mountain State League
1939 - Williamson W.Va Mountain State League
1940 - Daytona Beach Fla. Florida State League
1941 - Springfield Mo. Western Association
1941 - Rochester N.Y. International League
1941
MUSIAL'S FIRST MAJOR LEAGUE GAME
Musial appeared in his first major league game for the Cardinals in the second game of a Sunday doubleheader against the Boston Braves on September 17, 1941. In his first at bat against Jim Tobin, he popped out to third baseman, Sibby Sisti. However in his second at bat, he hit a double to drive in two runs.
Musial appeared in 12 games for the remainder of the 1941 season collecting 20 hits and a .426 batting average.
MUSIAL'S FIRST HOME RUN
Stan Musial hit the first of his 475 career home runs off Pittsburgh Pirate pitcher Rip Sewell on September 23, 1941 at Forbes Field.
1942
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS WORLD CHAMPIONS
In his first full season in the majors, Musial was a member of "The St. Louis Swifties" who put on one of the greatest pennant drives winning 43 out of their last 51 games to clinch the National League pennant with the most victories in a season (106) of any Cardinal Team.
Stan Musial played in his first World Series as the Cardinals defeated a heavily favorite New York Yankees team in five games.
1943
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
As a member of the 1943 National League Champions, Musial won his first of seven National League batting titles with a .357 batting average. He also led the league in hits, doubles, triples and slugging percentage.
Musial also was named the 1943 National League Most Valuable Player, receiving the first of his 3 National League Most Valueable Player awards.
1944
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS WORLD CHAMPIONS
As the Cardinals met the St. Louis Browns in an all St. Louis "City Series", Musial hit his only home run in 4 World Series' off of Browns pitcher Sig Jakucki in the fourth game. The 1944 World Series was the only World Series where Musial batted .300, hitting .304.
1945
MUSIAL'S MILITARY SERVICE
Stan Musial served in the U.S. Navy in 1945 and played baseball at Bainbridge, Maryland and Honolulu, Hawaii. He was discharged from the service in time to rejoin the Cardinals for the 1946 season.
1946
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS WORLD CHAMPIONS
Cardinals win National League Pennant in the first ever play-off with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Musial wins his second National League batting title batting .365 and also leads N.L. in hits, doubles, triples and slugging average.
Musial also wins his second National League Most Valuable Player Award.
1948
MUSIAL'S GREATEST YEAR
Stan Musial almost became the only batsman to lead the National League in every major category: batting average (.376), hits (230), doubles(46), triples (18), runs (131), RBI (135), total bases (429), slugging average (.702). The only major category he did not lead in was home runs, with Johnny Mize and Ralph Kiner tying for the lead with 40 home runs each. Musial offically ended the 1948 season with 39 home runs, having had one home run he hit in a game taken away from him, since the game was rained out and not included in the official statistics. Had Musial been able to lead or at least tie for the lead in home runs in the National League, he would have won the batting "Triple Crown", last won in the National League by Joe Medwick in 1937.
Besides winning his third N.L. batting title, Musial also was awarded his third National League Most Valuable Player Award in 1948.
1950
MUSIAL WINS 4TH N.L. BATTING TITLE
Musial led the National League with a .346 batting average
1951
MUSIAL HITS 200TH CAREER HOME RUN
On August 13, 1951, at Sportsmans Park in St. Louis, Musial hit the 200th home run of his major league career off of Chicago Cubs pitcher, Frank Hiller.
MUSIAL WINS 5TH N.L. BATTING TITLE
Musial led the National League in batting (.355), triples(12) and runs(124).
1952
MUSIAL WINS 6TH N.L. BATTING TITLE
Musial led the National League in batting average (.336), hits (194), doubles(42), runs(105), and slugging percentage (.538).
1954
MUSIAL HITS 5 HOME RUNS IN A DOUBLEHEADER
On May 2nd, 1954 at Sportsmans Park, Musial hit two home runs off of Johnny Antonelli and one home run off of Jim Hearn in the first game of the doubleheader against the New York Giants.
In the second game, Musial hit two home runs off New York Giants pitcher, Hoyt Wilhelm.
1955
MUSIAL HITS 300TH CAREER HOME RUN
On June 3, 1955, at Ebbetts Field in Brooklyn, Musial hit the 300th home run of his major league career off of Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher, Johnny Podres.
MUSIAL HITS GAME WINNING HOME RUN IN ALL-STAR GAME
Musial hits a 12th inning home run in the All-Star Game at Milwaukee County Stadium off of Red Sox pitcher Frank Sullivan, giving N.L. a 6-5 victory.
Musial was named to every All-Star Game from 1943-1963 consecutively, appearing in 24 All-Star Games, a record he shares with Willie Mays and Hank Aaron. Musial also holds the record for most home runs in All-Star Games (6). He hit his first All-Star Home Run in his first at bat in the 1948 All-Star Game at Sportsmans Park, St. Louis.
1956
THE SPORTING NEWS NAMES STAN MUSIAL PLAYER OF THE DECADE
The Sporting News names Stan Musial Player of the Decade. Musial was presented with the first Player of the Decade Award as a highlight of the annual All-Star Game. The presentation was made on behalf of The Sporting News by Bob Feller, the Indians veteran pitching ace who finished fourth in the balloting. Musial, informed of his selection for the Player of the Decade award, was greatly impressed. "I don't know of anything except Hall of Fame selection that could please me so much," he remarked. "I say that because I'm so highly flattered to have been chosen when, as the list shows, there were so many great players to choose from. I'm fortunate the ten seasons covered were my peak seasons." Musial was voted first place on 97 ballots to 83 for DiMaggio and 52 for Ted Williams.
1957
MUSIAL BREAKS GUS SUHR'S NATIONAL LEAGUE CONSECUTIVE GAMES PLAYED RECORD
On June 12, 1957, Musial played in his 823rd consecutive National League game for the St. Louis Cardinals breaking Gus Suhr's previously held record. Musial actually played in 895 consecutive games from April 15, 1952 to August 22, 1957.
MUSIAL WINS 7TH N.L. BATTING TITLE
Musial wins his 7th and final batting title with a .351 batting average.
1958
MUSIAL COLLECTS HIS 3,000TH CAREER HIT
Although both manager, Fred Hutchinson and Musial were hoping Musial would be able to get his 3,000th the next evening in St. Louis before his hometown Cardinal fans, he was called upon to pinch hit against the Chicago Cubs in the 6th inning of the game on May 13, 1958 at Wrigley Field.
Musial, facing Cubs pitcher Moe Drabowsky, hit a double to left center for his 3,000th career hit.
On May 14, 1958, in his first at bat at home at Sportsmans Park against New York Giants pitcher Johnny Antonelli, Musial hit a home run on the right field pavallion roof for his 3,001st career hit.
1959
MUSIAL HITS 400TH CAREER HOME RUN
On May 7, 1959, at Sportsman Park in St. Louis, Musial hit the 400th home run of his major league career off of Chicago Cubs pitcher, Don Elston.
1962
MUSIAL BECOMES MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL'S TOTAL BASE LEADER
On June 22, 1962, Musial passes Ty Cobb to become Major League Baseball's total base leader.
1963
MUSIAL BREAKS EXTRA BASE HITS RECORD
On May 8, 1963, Musial breaks Babe Ruth's Major League Baseball record for extra base hits with 1,357. He got 20 more before retiring and currently holds third place lifetime.
MUSIAL HITS FINAL CAREER HOME RUN
On September 16, 1963, at Sportsman Park in St. Louis, Musial hit the 475th and final home run of his major league career off of Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher, Johnny Podres.
MUSIAL NAMED A VICE PRESIDENT OF THE CARDINALS
Musial is named a Vice President of the Cardinals by August A. Busch, Jr. on September 25, 1963.
MUSIAL APPEARS IN HIS LAST MAJOR LEAGUE GAME
On September 29, 1963, Musial plays in his last game against the Cincinnati Reds at Busch Stadium. In his first at bat in the first inning against pitcher, Jim Maloney, Musial struck out. Facing Maloney in the 4th inning, Musial singled to center, and in the 6th inning, Musial singled to right field for his 3,630th career hit. Cardinal Manager Johnny Keane sent Gary Kolb to pinch run for Musial at first base to allow the fans to acknowledge his final appearance as a Cardinal player.
Upon his retirement, Musial held 17 Major League, 29 National League and 9 All-Star Records.
Musial batted .300 16 consecutive years from the start of his career, 17 years total. He had six 200 or more hit seasons.
1967
MUSIAL NAMED GM OF THE CARDINALS
On January 23, 1967 Musial was named GM and in his only year in that position, guided the team to a World Series win with his former roommate, Red Schoendienst managing the team.
1968
STATUE OF MUSIAL DEDICATED AT BUSCH STADIUM
On August 4, 1968 a bronze statue of "The Man" was dedicated at Busch Stadium and Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick delivered his now famous quote about Stan Musial-"Here stands baseball's perfect warrior, here stands baseball's perfect knight." The Musial statue was the creation of artist Carl Mose and became a favorite landmark for fans meeting up to attend a game.
1969
MUSIAL ELECTED TO HALL OF FAME
On January 29, 1969 Stan Musial was voted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, becoming the first Cardinals player to be elected in his first year of eligibility.
MUSIAL NAMED GREATEST LIVING PLAYER (1B)
Musial was named Greatest Living Player, First Base during the year that Major League Baseball celebrated 100 years. Musial shared the title with George Sisler who played for the St. Louis Browns (1915-27).
1972
MUSIAL AWARDED MERIT CHAMPIONS MEDAL BY POLAND
Stan Musial became the first foreigner to receive the Polish government Merited Champions Medal-their highest sports award.
1998
MUSIAL NAMED AMONG BASEBALL'S 100 GREATEST PLAYERS
The Sporting News announced Baseball's 100 Greatest Players in which Musial was ranked tenth by a selection committee of 12 editors.
1999
MUSIAL NAMED TO ALL-CENTURY TEAM
Stan Musial was named to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team, which was determined by fan votes.
2006
MUSIAL STATUE UNVEILED AT NEW BUSCH STADIUM
On April 10, 2006 Cardinals dedicate new Busch Stadium by formally unveiling the Stan Musial statute in front of Gate 3.
2008
MUSIAL HONORED WITH PLAZA AND DRIVE IN HIS NAME
On May 18, 2008, the Cardinals dedicate Musial Plaza and the city dedicates Stan Musial Drive (the honorary designation of 8th Street at Spruce).
2009
MUSIAL PROVIDES PRESIDENT OBAMA WITH BASEBALL FOR ALL-STAR GAME'S FIRST PITCH
On July 14, 2009, Stan Musial provides President Obama with the ceremonial ball for the first pitch of the All-Star Game at Busch Stadium.
2010
"STAND FOR STAN" SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN
On May 25, 2010, the Cardinals launch social media campaign "Stand for Stan" to celebrate Musial.
"STAND FOR STAN" DAY
On October 2, 2010, "Stand for Stan" Day was held at Busch Stadium. Nearly 40,000 fans Stand for Stan waved Flat Stan the Man's in a moving six minute tribute to Musial in the middle of the 6th inning.
MUSIAL NAMED RECIPIENT OF PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM
On November 17, 2010, President Obama announces that Musial will be one of 16 honorees to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.
2011
MUSIAL AWARDED PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM
On February 15, 2011, Stan Musial received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama in ceremonies at the White House.
11TH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POSTSEASON RUN
Musial joins fellow Cardinals Hall of Famers at Game Three of the NLCS at Busch Stadium. He returns to participate in ceremonies prior to Game Six of the World Series.
2012
2012 POSTSEASON RUN
Musial participate in pre-game ceremonies at Game Four of the NLCS at Busch Stadium.
2013
MUSIAL PASSES AWAY AT THE AGE OF 92
On January 19, 2013, Stan Musial passes away at the age of 92 surrounded by his family at his home in Ladue.