Posted on 01/19/2013 5:10:34 PM PST by Borges
'48 was a great year 'cause it was an election year and all summer long I went to free ballgames courtesy of the Dems one week and the Pubbies the next.I got to see Stan the Man many times in those years.
In 1969 I was at a ball game at the Padres Jack Murphy Stadium while serving aboard USS Constellation,when I got into an elevator as I was leaving the game and I looked at the guy standing next to me and my jaw dropped when I recognized Stan the Man!!
Stan looked at me gaping like a star struck kid and said ,"What!". I croaked out "Hi Stan." He said "Hi." We got off the elevator.
That's it...but it was a big deal to me...c'mon it was Stan the Man!!
Both with Mound City connections (Weaver was born there).
Yes, RIP to both from a Phillies phanatic.
FF
This was a great man. It is so sad how sports has devolved with felons and thugs. RIP, Stan the Man.
Sorry to hear about Musial's passing, but what is the connection between Stan the Man and Earl Weaver? One was a good guy, the other ... well, not quite.
Don't think I ever saw The Man play in person, but I did see him play many times on TV. Weird batting stance, but the guy could hit.
Didn't realize that Musial was never ejected for arguing with an umpire. That's quite a record, considering how many games he played.
My dad too. Stan the Man was just below Jesus in our house.
Baseball?
Stan was soft-spoken; Earl was out-spoken.
They usually pass in 3s; waiting for the 3rd set of cleats to drop.
The rookie kept shaking off every call Garagiola made. Curve, slider, fast ball....the rookie wasn't willing to throw.
Garagiola calls time and goes out to the mound...."What's up with this? You gotta pitch something to this guy." The rookie said, "That's Musial, I just want to hold on to the ball."
Garagiola goes back behind the plate and the rookie throws.....
Musial promptly hit it out of the park.
I went to Stan & Biggie's in about 1965. Went to the john and, when I came out, saw Stan and a young boy sitting on the second step of the staircase leading up out of the lobby.
I stood in the shadows and watched as Stan talked to the young boy -- who was giving his rapt attention. He signed a copy of the menu for the boy and shook his hand in a formal, respectful fashion. The boy marched back to the dining room, clutching his menu with a huge grin on his face. An encounter that he doubtless remembers to this day.
Stan stood up and watched him go, smiling and getting an equal charge out of the encounter.
Only then did I approach The Man. And, ever since, I've said "Shake the hand that shook the hand of Stanley Frank Musial". Truly, he was an American Hero and a gentleman for the ages.
Warren Spahn pitching to Stan Musial.
Classic.
RIP, Stan the Man.
Is this one when Musial hit a liner right back at Spahn and hit him in the gut knocking him down?
Spahn got up, got the ball and threw Musial out at first.
One of the first baseball cards I ever got as a baseball crazy 10 year old. Along with Nellie Fox, Sherm Lollar, Ted Kluzewski, Eddie Matthews, etc. Those guys were magic to me.
Spahn and Musial were the ultimate competitors who had respect for each other. Here’s a quote from Musial:
“I don’t think (Warren) Spahn will ever get into the Hall of Fame. He’ll never stop pitching.”
1950s baseball was incredible. I watched Spahn pitch when I was a little kid against players like Mantle, Dusty Rhodes, Musial and Ted Williams.
It was a great time to be a baseball fan.
As for your recollection with Musial hitting Spahn in the gut, why not? I love the story.
RIP.
No connection, other than they are both legitimately Hall of Famers and among the most memorable people to play (or manage) the game.
One was a gentleman, the other an agitator. Both were masters of the art of winning.
One of the greats.
One of the greats.
Dad was a Shriner in St. Louis. At one of their events, I (kids) walked up on stage and was handed a signed baseball by Stan the Man. (early 60’s). I hope I can find it again.
While never having et at Musial & Biggies, I was participating in the Moonlight Ramble in 1973, 10,000 bicycle riders touring the town at night. It wasn’t an official race, but I remember experiencing the second wind (for the first time) in front of the restaurant. I got back to Steiners Fountain and asked where everyone was, they said I came in second. (on my Schwinn Sports Tourer, with panniers loaded with camp gear) I could of been a contenda /Lance
Dittos
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