Member-only story
What Baseball Stars Said When MLB Legend Stan Musial Retired
The former St. Louis Cardinals’ star outfielder left behind an amazing legacy filled with accomplishments and respect
They say that legends never die, and that is particularly true in baseball. While stars of the game are certain to one day suffer mortal death, those who proved to be the most special of players have their legacies burn bright long after they’re gone. This is personified by legendary outfielder Stan Musial, who received an avalanche of emotion and appreciation from the best in baseball in the days following his final appearance in a uniform.
Legend is a description that can be bandied about altogether too frequently. However, there isn’t really any better way to describe a player like Musial. After an injury ruined what appeared to be a very promising pitching career in the minor leagues, the left-hander converted to the outfield (and later first base) and ended up spending each of his 22 big-league seasons (1941–1963- missed the 1945 season due to military service) with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Nicknamed Stan the Man, he was a terrifying presence at the plate, accumulating career marks of a .331 batting average with 3,630 hits, 725 doubles, 475 home runs and 1,951 RBIs. He also drew 1,599 walks…