A16 • ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCHA LEE ENTERPRISES NEWSPAPER • FOUNDED BY JOSEPH PULITZER DEC. 12,M 1878 1 • THURSDAY • 1.24.2013 THURSDAY • 1.24.2013 • A16 • OPINION

PLATFORM • I know that my retirement will make no di erence in its cardinal principles, that it will always fi ght for progress and reform, never tolerate injustice or corruption, always fi ght demagogues of all parties, never belong to any party, always oppose privileged classes and public plunderers, never lack sympathy with the poor, always remain devoted to the public welfare, never be satisfi ed with merely printing news, always be drastically independent, never be afraid to attack wrong, whether by predatory plutocracy or predatory poverty • JOSEPH PULITZER • APRIL 10, 1907

Musial made kids’ lives brighter passed away, injured his pitching arm in When I was a little boy growing up across YOUR VIEWS ON “THE MAN” the minors, as it opened the door for him to the river in , was my first become one of the greatest hitters in base- and only boyhood hero. history. I remember watching him play at the As an outfi elder/fi rst baseman, in spite of original like it was yester- his unorthodox stance, he captured day. During the second game of a - Readers pay tribute to seven batting titles, won header when Stan was of the lineup, I three Most Valuable Player awards, was on vividly recall yelling for him from the second the All-Star team 24 times and led the Red- deck overhanging the Cardinals . I birds to three World titles during his refused to shut up and to my wonderment storied, steady and spectacular 22-year ca- Stan stepped out, looked up to where I was reer, and was eventually elected to the Hall standing, waved to me, and yelled back “I Stan Musial of Fame in his fi rst year of eligibility. hope you are enjoying the game!” In my book, he is the greatest St. Louis It may seem a simple gesture to some, but Cardinal to ever don a , as he could it created a lifetime memory for a little kid do it all: for average, hit for power, come who worshipped the ground Stan walked through in the clutch, rarely strike out and on. I am now a 62-year-old man living in hold his own in the fi eld. Colorado, and wonder how many other kids’ And unlike many of the star athletes lives Stan made brighter by his simple, yet today, he was humble and scandal-free. And profound, acts of kindness. Stan, you are to his credit, unlike many baseball players of still my hero. his day who were quite racist, he supported Michael Clark • Littleton, Colo. and his breaking of the color barrier, and later helped adjust An autograph, and a few minutes to the majors on his own team. Kenneth L. Zimmerman • with the family Huntington Beach, Calif. I have been a Post-Dispatch subscriber since 1949. Bernie Miklasz’s front-page column Humble star didn’t seek attention Jan. 21 (“Remembering ‘The Man’ ”) about Stan Musial was the best, most sincere like other ballplayers did article that the Post has ever published. Stan Musial is often overlooked when it I have two stories of my own about Stan. comes to listing baseball’s greatest play- Our family was eating dinner at Biggie’s on ers because he was overshadowed by his Watson . My sister, then only 13, now contemporaries, Joe DiMaggio and Ted 77, saw Stan and asked for his autograph. Williams. However, to “The Man’s” credit, Not only did he give her his autograph, but he didn’t seek attention the way the Yankee he also sat down with the family for a few Clipper and Splendid Splinter did; he just minutes. went out, played the game, and set a few About 20 years ago I was returning from records in the process. Likewise, I’m sure it a business trip from Puerto Rico on a TWA didn’t bother him a bit that DiMaggio and DC-10. I had been upgraded to fi rst class and Williams got more attention. was sitting in the second row, right behind At the same time, instead of taking on an Stan. When the plane landed and Stan was air of self-importance the way DiMaggio did opening the overhead bin, which on a DC-10 or acting surly toward fans and reporters the is vertical, his suit coat fell out between his way Williams did, “The Man” was gracious outstretched arms. I reminded him that in and humble to everyone. He was the kind of his olden days he would have caught it. He person you’d want to have as your neighbor agreed. — and that rare person in the sports world I feel very proud that I was able to grow in who could genuinely be considered as a role his time starting with the old Sportsman’s model for all to emulate. Park as part of the “knothole gang” from Stephen V. Gilmore • Charlotte, N.C. Granite City. Harvey Hieken • Chesterfi eld Post’s special section is an important keepsake The rookie shows his toughness The Post-Dispatch’s Jan. 20 special sec- My dad and I were at Sportsman’s Park one tion, titled “The Man,” is a fitting tribute day in mid-September 1941 when the Car- to Stan Musial. The newspaper should be dinals brought up a rookie from the Roch- commended for putting together 14 pages of ester club to help in the race with interesting material, quickly and efficiently. the hated Dodgers (of Brooklyn) and we got DAN MARTIN • [email protected] Stan “The Man” was one of my favorite to see his first hit, a double off the right field heroes; the special newspaper edition, pavilion screen off the Braves’ (of Boston) LOOK FOR MORE TRIBUTES IN SUNDAY’S SPECIAL SECTION sharing his title, will certainly be stored knuckleballer Jim Tobin. So we got to see the with other important keepsakes to preserve first of his 3,630 hits. memories. Thanks to the Post-Dispatch, We found out what kind of right stu Stan and may Stan Musial rest in peace. was made of in his fi rst game at ter his retirement in 1963, the sport of base- Ed Beck • Ferguson in Brooklyn when Dodgers Kirby Armstrong vs. Musial: ball, his adopted home of St. Louis, and, as Higbe fi red a fi rst- at his head No contest a second generation Polish immigrant, the Field could be tribute to Musial and the rookie got up and lined the next United States. In addition, he was a very de- pitch into the gap for a . Longtime Na- I am struck by the timing of the death of voted husband and father and a deeply reli- Now, will the Cardinals please name the tional League in his Stan Musial during the same week that gious person. playing field in Busch Stadium, Stan Musial book “Jocko” says he took his whisk broom finally admitted to his I consider myself to be very fortunate Field? It is past time to do so, but wouldn’t it to the front of the plate and dusted it o and chronic use of performance-enhancing growing up in St. Louis in the and be a great and fitting tribute to “The Man”? told Dodgers Mickey Owen, “Well, drugs. early 1960s and being able to follow Stan’s Robert Bruker • Godfrey Mickey, you really scared hell out of the kid.” Mr. Musial was more than one of the baseball career and his o -the-fi eld appear- We know there is baseball in heaven, and greatest players to ever put on a baseball ances at Holy Name Society meetings at his Question about Musial Stan will be up there hitting more line drives. uniform. He was unarguably a true gentle- and other Catholic parishes in the Archdio- Stan at the Pearly Gates: “Is this Sports- man, a humanitarian and an ambassador for cese, his willing participation in many civic in a Royals man’s Park?” St. Peter: “No, it’s heaven.” the game. We would all do well to live our and charitable activities, his attendance at In the early 1980s, I was in the old Brent- Bud Kane • Kirkwood lives in a manner that he lived his. his son, Dick’s, high school sporting activi- wood post office waiting for service when a While Mr. Armstrong has done much ties, and his availability at his local restau- woman approached me and asked if I could He’s playing ball in heaven now to help others through his work with The rant, Stan & Biggie’s. help her make a copy on the copy machine. Livestrong Foundation, he appears to be While I certainly admire his baseball ac- She showed me a picture of Stan Musial in On Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013, St. Louis lost its remorseless over his chronic use of perfor- complishments, I think his lasting legacy is a baseball uniform with the name ROYALS greatest icon. It was the moral equivalent mance-enhancing drugs. He seems to want that he truly was an excellent role model for written across the front of the shirt. of someone tearing down the Arch. Stan to rationalize his misdeeds and ask for for- young and old. I regret that many modern The woman said she was Stan Musial’s Musial left our world. There is no individual giveness because “everyone else was doing athletes haven’t chosen to model their on- wife and he had received the picture from in the history of our city who the mention it, too.” the-playing-fi eld and o -fi eld behavior and a who wanted it autographed and of his name said St. Louis and the baseball Based on the totality of their track records, activities after Stan Musial. returned. She further said that Stan couldn’t Cardinals more than Musial. Stan may have I am afraid that Mr. Armstrong couldn’t My fond memories of Stan “The Man” remember when or where the picture was retired as a player in 1963, but his presence even carry Stan the Man’s onto the will be lasting, and I’m very pleased to have taken and he wanted a copy of it. I was more always remained with the Cardinals. Mark field. been able to see his sporting performances than happy and very flattered to help and McGwire knew his signing as a Cardinal was John Gray • Charlotte, N.C. and contributions to the St. Louis commu- I would like to know when and where the important when Stan showed up. nity. He truly was respected and loved by all. picture was taken. Every year the Cardinals staged Chris- Responsible for our love Michael F. Vezeau • Blu ton, S.C. L. David Augsburger • Kirkwood tian Family Day. I don’t ever recall Stan ever of the game speaking there. But he did not have to. His Name bridge after No. 6 This nice guy fi nished fi rst life was his witness. He always felt he was Much will be written about Stan “The Man,” blessed by the Lord to have what he had, and and baseball fans will bring up his name Saturday will be a difficult day for most In August 1951, I saw my first major league he showed it by the way he treated everyone. forever. This fan, however, will remember baseball fans and citizens of the metropoli- baseball game between the St. Louis Cardi- It did not matter who you were. Stan treated his last game as my first, and the day with tan area. The funeral Mass and burial of the nals and Cincinnati Reds at Crosley Field. everyone with respect. my grandfather wondering why people major hero this area has had the honor to I was 13 years old and a big baseball fan. Stan and once again both retire and how much fun it was to finally go know and love will take place, as one cardi- Stan Musial played left field that day, and have something in common. They are both in Sportsman’s Park and see a game. Stan is nal celebrates Mass for the Cardinal, Stan I remember vividly Musial making a playing for the Angels; just in different responsible for so many of the great memo- Musial. with his back flush against the wall. The places. According to the Gospel of John, Je- ries and love of the game many of us have This has been a terrible few days for base- Reds won 1-0 as Ewell “The Whip” Black- sus says, “There are many mansions in My and how he helped make this town truly ball fans, knowing that the greatest ball- well bested Harry “The Cat” Brecheen in a Father’s house. If it were not so I would not baseball heaven. player ever to don the birds on the bat has ’ duel. tell you. I am going ahead to prepare one for Players and people should all be as kind as died and we will not have the smiling face of During the 1952 season, I sent for Musial’s you.” I suspect one of those mansions looks he was to us and remember life is not always No. 6 to enjoy and honor. autograph through the mail. He not only au- like Sportsman’s Park or Ebbets Field. Stan about money, something we see very little As it rises just north of Busch Stadium, tographed my self-addressed postcard, but pretty much owned both places. It was at today in sports and business. the new Mississippi River bridge demon- also sent me a glossy black and white, 5x7 Ebbets where he earned his nickname, “The Thank you to your family for sharing you strates strength and power. What would be autographed photograph of himself. Man.” all these years with us and mostly, thank you more fitting than to name that bridge as a Musial was one of baseball’s all-time great In heaven, every day is an eternal field of for all you gave us as baseball fans, a city and memorial, a tribute to the greatest ambassa- players and nice guys. ’s fa- dreams. The ballplayers that left our world a nation. dor this city has ever had? The Stan Musial mous quote, “Nice guys fi nish last,” did not gather daily to play for the pure joy of the Victor Imgarten • St. Charles Memorial Bridge should be proclaimed to apply to Stan “The Man.” His Hall of Fame game. The souls in the stands sit in anticipa- coincide with the funeral of “The Man.” It is statistics speak for themselves. tion as for the first time, a player wearing an Death of a real role model only fitting. Musial’s greatness is sealed by his humil- off-white robe with two birds on a bat on the Stuart Katz • Chesterfi eld ity, which he maintained until the day he front and 6 on the back waits in the I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of died. on deck circle. The announcer says, “Now Stan “The Man” Musial. Greatest Cardinal could do it all All baseball fans who saw him play or batting for the Heaven Angels, number 6 Not only was he one of the greatest base- know his history mourn his passing. Stan Musial.” And the crowd goes wild. ball players of all time, he was a staunch The St. Louis Cardinals can be thankful Paul L. Whiteley Sr. • Louisville, Ky. Bill Heger • Rock Hill supporter of the Cardinals organization af- that Stan “The Man” Musial, who recently

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