Stan Musial

[Garthshort]

I know this is a football board, but Stan Musial is the reason that I've been a football Cardinal fan since 1947. I started following (and routing for) the baseball Cardinals in 1946, and Stan was the reason why. I thank him for all the thrills he provided me as a kid, and I listened to his five home run day (5/2/52), which years later I realized was my wife's 15th birthday. Former BB Commissioner Ford Frick described Stan as Baseball's Perfect Knight, and that pretty much summed up my opinion of him. And I guess that is why I like Larry Fitzgerald so much, because I see a lot of Stan in him. And I don't mean that both were offered scholarships by the University of Pittsburgh. RIP, Stan The Man and thank you for helping to make my childhood so enjoyable.

 

[Catfish]

I know this is a football board, but Stan Musial is the reason that I've been a football Cardinal fan since 1947. I started following (and routing for) the baseball Cardinals in 1946, and Stan was the reason why. I thank him for all the thrills he provided me as a kid, and I listened to his five home run day (5/2/52), which years later I realized was my wife's 15th birthday. Former BB Commissioner Ford Frick described Stan as Baseball's Perfect Knight, and that pretty much summed up my opinion of him. And I guess that is why I like Larry Fitzgerald so much, because I see a lot of Stan in him. And I don't mean that both were offered scholarships by the University of Pittsburgh. RIP, Stan The Man and thank you for helping to make my childhood so enjoyable.

I second this post. Stan is that guy that I patterned my swing from when I started playing ball. He was class all the way, and a huge inspiration for many, many youngsters back in the day. Like you, I also began following the football Cardinals after becoming a St. Louis, (Stan the Man), fan. May he rest in peace.

 

[Billy Flynt]

 

[JeffGollin]

I know this is a football board, but Stan Musial is the reason that I've been a football Cardinal fan since 1947. I started following (and routing for) the baseball Cardinals in 1946, and Stan was the reason why. I thank him for all the thrills he provided me as a kid, and I listened to his five home run day (5/2/52), which years later I realized was my wife's 15th birthday. Former BB Commissioner Ford Frick described Stan as Baseball's Perfect Knight, and that pretty much summed up my opinion of him. And I guess that is why I like Larry Fitzgerald so much, because I see a lot of Stan in him. And I don't mean that both were offered scholarships by the University of Pittsburgh. RIP, Stan The Man and thank you for helping to make my childhood so enjoyable.

I heard that 5 HR game vs. the Giants. (A strong wind was blowing out to left, and Stan had to buck the crosswind to hit some of those dingers). . My older brother, Jim and I usually stay in touch every month or two. When news of Stan's passing hit the wires, the first thing he did yesterday was e-mail me to reminisce about being a Cardinal fan in the 1940's.

Jim was born in StL. I was an eastern newcomer to Cardinal fandom. To an outsider, mention StL and the first thing that comes to mind is The Arch. But if you were closer to the scene, if someone mentioned StL, the first thing you'd think of was Stan "The Man." A fixture. As great off the field as he was on it.

Like Garth (who's lived in my hometown of Scarsdale, NY) I was first a BB Cardinal fan, which led me to root for the (Trippi, Angsmann, Christman & Harder) Chicago Cardinal FB team.

 

[gnomepete]

My father took me to see Stan's last game when I was 11. I "knew", but didn't fully understand the importance of the occasion.

At that time, he held 17 MLB records and went on to be a first ballot HOF'er.

And he was a better man and person.

RIP

Pete

 

[Doc Cardinal]

The baseball Cards were the reason I became a football Cards fan back in the fifties. My brother took me to a Cards/Houston Colt 45's game and the park was like a high school field....the players exited the field and I was standing by a chain link fence....I looked up and said wow....that's Stan the Man.

 

[dylanbw]

I know this is a football board, but Stan Musial is the reason that I've been a football Cardinal fan since 1947. I started following (and routing for) the baseball Cardinals in 1946, and Stan was the reason why. I thank him for all the thrills he provided me as a kid, and I listened to his five home run day (5/2/52), which years later I realized was my wife's 15th birthday. Former BB Commissioner Ford Frick described Stan as Baseball's Perfect Knight, and that pretty much summed up my opinion of him. And I guess that is why I like Larry Fitzgerald so much, because I see a lot of Stan in him. And I don't mean that both were offered scholarships by the University of Pittsburgh. RIP, Stan The Man and thank you for helping to make my childhood so enjoyable.

Stan the Man is also the reason I am a Cardinals football fan as well. My Dad (Bayonne, NJ native) became a baseball Cardinals fan due to Musial in the late 40s, and passed along the baseball Cardinals. Despite my Dad (and his Dad) being an Eagles fan, when I gravitated towards the STL Cardinals football team too he allowed that to flourish. Neil Lomax was my guy, but really it all traces back to the impact classy Stan The Man had on so many kids across America.

Rest in Peace, Mr. Musial.

 

[WildBB]

I was listening to his bio on one of the specials being done on him.

He would always play no matter what. Once he could hardly swing a bat. He played and took only 5 swings in 5 at bats. You guessed it...5 hits! Incredible!

RIP To a great player and greater man.

 

[Lomax to Green 84]

I echo everything that is being said. As a kid, my parents used to always remind me and my brother when we were at a Cards baseball game in St. Louis: "If we lose each other, always meet up at the statue of Stan Musial."

The greatest baseball player in the greatest baseball town in the world. I loved Stan the Man and I love St. Louis.

 

[Cards Czar]

I have had to honor of being in Stan's house a few years ago. What great person. Kind gentle and just an all around good person.

God bless Stan. Rest in Peace.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

RIP Stan Musial

 

[Garthshort]

CardCzar, what was the occasion, that you were in Stan's house? Just curios.

 

[BW52]

Stan was my favorite when i was a kid.Being lefthanded i wanted to hit like him.Spent many a night listening to kmox and the Cards.Was a great player and a gentleman.One of the real good guys who will be missed.

 

[Cards Czar]

CardCzar, what was the occasion, that you were in Stan's house? Just curios.

One of my very good friends, (his wife and mine are like 2 peas in a pod), is the nephew of Stan. He came to visit us from Philly and we got to go to Stan's house. Wow you should of seen all of the stuff he has.

 

[TheCardFan]

Its crazy how we all became fans.

I became a BB Cardinal fan and football fan at the same time (early 70's). I grew up in Texas but spent summers in eastern Iowa and remember listening to Cubs vs Cardinals on the radio. In Texas, I was really only able to watch 2 games per year (when they played the Cowboys) and the occasional extra game that happened.

Fitzgerald is a Stan Musial type of player and so is Albert Pujols...wish he would have retired a Redbird.

 

[Cards Czar]

Its crazy how we all became fans.

I became a BB Cardinal fan and football fan at the same time (early 70's). I grew up in Texas but spent summers in eastern Iowa and remember listening to Cubs vs Cardinals on the radio. In Texas, I was really only able to watch 2 games per year (when they played the Cowboys) and the occasional extra game that happened.

Fitzgerald is a Stan Musial type of player and so is Albert Pujols...wish he would have retired a Redbird.

The old STL Cardinals Radio station KMOX use to reach all the way to Dallas.

 

[40yearfan]

I echo everything that is being said. As a kid, my parents used to always remind me and my brother when we were at a Cards baseball game in St. Louis: "If we lose each other, always meet up at the statue of Stan Musial."

The greatest baseball player in the greatest baseball town in the world. I loved Stan the Man and I love St. Louis.

+1

 

[az jam]

I second this post. Stan is that guy that I patterned my swing from when I started playing ball. He was class all the way, and a huge inspiration for many, many youngsters back in the day. Like you, I also began following the football Cardinals after becoming a St. Louis, (Stan the Man), fan. May he rest in peace.

That wasn't easy, I never saw anything like it.

I grew up in Milwaukee and remember going to Milwaukee County Stadium to watch the Braves. Loved watching Stan the Man. One heck of a player and first class person.

RIP, Stan.

 

[40yearfan]

The old STL Cardinals Radio station KMOX use to reach all the way to Dallas.

That's because it broadcast at 1,000 watts. I helped change out the feed to the antenna back in the 70's. The transmitter had vacumn tubes 3 foot high.

 

[PJ1]

I met Stan the Man at his restaurant(Musial and Biggies) when I was 12. Parents took me there for my birthday and he gave me an autographed picture.

He defined class and will be sorely missed. RIP Stan Musial.

 

[Cardsfanstl]

I echo everything that is being said. As a kid, my parents used to always remind me and my brother when we were at a Cards baseball game in St. Louis: "If we lose each other, always meet up at the statue of Stan Musial."

The greatest baseball player in the greatest baseball town in the world. I loved Stan the Man and I love St. Louis.

When I was kid in the 70's and going to Cardinal Football games with my uncle my dad would drop me off at the Musial statue to wait for my uncle. Never saw Stan play but everybody says he was a class act.

 

[NeverSayDieFan]

Stan Musial's legacy...

Enjoying reading all the comments on here. I always find it interesting what's said about someone once they've passed. Re: "Stan the Man" the word "genuine" comes to mind. Seems like he'll be remembered (fondly) as much, if not more, for what he did away from the diamond.

...And that's something all of us can aspire to.

Mark in SC A Cards'/Cards'/Blues' fan since 67'

P.S. Interesting that Stan's # was 6 and on the day of his passing...that night..the Blues' won 6-0! Seems like it was "scripted" somehow.

 

[jf-08]

Moved to the Baseball Forum, but left a permanent re-direct.

 

[john h]

I know this is a football board, but Stan Musial is the reason that I've been a football Cardinal fan since 1947. I started following (and routing for) the baseball Cardinals in 1946, and Stan was the reason why. I thank him for all the thrills he provided me as a kid, and I listened to his five home run day (5/2/52), which years later I realized was my wife's 15th birthday. Former BB Commissioner Ford Frick described Stan as Baseball's Perfect Knight, and that pretty much summed up my opinion of him. And I guess that is why I like Larry Fitzgerald so much, because I see a lot of Stan in him. And I don't mean that both were offered scholarships by the University of Pittsburgh. RIP, Stan The Man and thank you for helping to make my childhood so enjoyable.

I was a Cub fan in 1947 and I certainly appreciated what a great player and person he was. Never seen anyone since use that peek a boo batting stance he had. He spoiled many of the Cub games I attended at Wrigley where the football Cards sometimes played the Bears. Tight fit but it worked.

 

[john h]

I know this is a football board, but Stan Musial is the reason that I've been a football Cardinal fan since 1947. I started following (and routing for) the baseball Cardinals in 1946, and Stan was the reason why. I thank him for all the thrills he provided me as a kid, and I listened to his five home run day (5/2/52), which years later I realized was my wife's 15th birthday. Former BB Commissioner Ford Frick described Stan as Baseball's Perfect Knight, and that pretty much summed up my opinion of him. And I guess that is why I like Larry Fitzgerald so much, because I see a lot of Stan in him. And I don't mean that both were offered scholarships by the University of Pittsburgh. RIP, Stan The Man and thank you for helping to make my childhood so enjoyable.

He was only 6' tall and 175 lbs. Lifetime batting average for over 20 years .333. His 22 years in the majors were all with the Cards and the year before he retired he batted .330. Around 3600 hits and 450+ home runs and not one tattoo. As a lifetime Cub fan he was one of my all time favorite players. You were the MAN.