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发帖数: 39524 | 1 【 以下文字转载自 PhotoGear 讨论区 】
发信人: apolitical (无期徒刑), 信区: PhotoGear
标 题: Stan "The Man" Musial
发信站: BBS 未名空间站 (Mon Jan 28 15:02:42 2013, 美东)
has been laid to rest at the age of 92. during his life, he played baseball
to the best of his god-given ability, taking a break in between only to
serve his country during WWII, loved his wife for 72 years, played harmonica
to entertain the crowds, and always treated everyone around him like a
friend. or simply, he lived a great american life. come april it's gonna be
awfully hard on opening day with his absence.
during the past week we heard countless stories of grown men, for whom Stan
Musial was a boyhood hero growing up, weeping over his passing. to them, he
wasn't just someone who could hit a 90 mph fastball 400 feet, but also
someone you could run into at a local diner. he mingled with Popes and
presidents, yet always made time to sign one more baseball card for an
average person on the street. he did amazing things with amazing consistency
for 22 years on the field, while off the field, so down to earth he felt
just like your next door neighbor. Stan Musial was "baseball's perfect
knight", and the unofficial ambassador of St. Louis. the landscape of today'
s professional sports is so vastly different, sadly, they just don't make
men like him any more. athletes are given more attention for womanizing,
alcoholism and cheating, while good folks are given the silent treatment.
you just can't find a current athlete so connected to the city he/she plays
for so deeply and on so many levels. such a strong bond seems so like a
thing of the past.
yes, the passing of a baseball legend today can't help but evoke fond
memories of the past. the era when there was no 10-digit contracts, no
anabolic steroids, no internet and all-over-your-face media, not even live
television. a time when young boys grew up listening to baseball games on
the radio after kissing their parents good night; a time when "take me out
to the ballgame" was such a treasured family event; a time when it was hard
to be a good father and not taking the time and heart to play catch with
your children in the backyard. a time when players were aware of the need to
carry themselves well both on and off the field and fans treated them with
affection as well as civility. on and on. there was a genuinely romantic
relationship between the american public and their national pastime.
baseball wasn't just a competitive game, it was a source of emotions and
nostalgia, an integral part of the american identity, deeply ingrained into
the american way of life.
generations of american youth grow up aspiring to become the next Stan
Musial, only few of them blessed enough to even have a shot at the major
league level. while we can't all win 7 batting titles and 3 mvps playing pro
baseball, we are all given a fair chance, in our respective walks of life,
to be half the person that he is. like all roll models, the legend of Stan
Musial transcends professions and personal circumstances. the spirit of hard
work, kindness to others, a strong character and being a better person
applies to every citizen. and that, more than all his great feats
accomplished on the diamonds, will serve on as his ultimate legacy.
to sum it all up, there might just never be another man like Stan Musial.
the man was an extraordinary ballplayer, and the ballplayer was an
extraordinary man.
THE MAN.
Rookies Erwin Susak, left, and Stan Musial don the St. Louis Cardinals
uniform for the first time on Sept. 16, 1941.
Musial with teammates Ray Sanders, left, and Enos Slaughter, center, prior
to his first full season with the Cardinals in 1942.
Musial with his wife, Lillian, at their home in Donora, Penn in 1943. The
amazing couple were married on May 25, 1940 and remained together for nearly
72 years. Lillian passed away on May 3, 2012.
Musial during his pre-induction physical on Jan. 19, 1945. Musial would miss
the entire season to serve with the U.S. Navy during World War II.
Musial swings for the fences at Shibe Park in Philadelphia on May 22, 1946.
Musial would go on to hit .346 with 86 extra basehits in his return season,
earning his second National League MVP.
Musial meets with new Cardinals owner August Busch Jr. for the first time on
March 13, 1953 in St. Petersburgh, Fla. Also pictured Manager Eddie Stanky,
Enos Slaughter and Red Schoendienst.
On June 13, 1957, Musial broke the National League record for consecutive
games played at 823. His streak would end two months later at 895 games,
which currently stands at the 8th longest streak in MLB history.
Musial with his daughter, Jean, in 1960.
Stan Musial gives his boss August Busch, owner of the Cardinals, a tip or
two at the Cardinals' spring training camp in St. Petersburg. From left:
Stan Musial, Manager Eddie Stanky, August Busch and Red Schoendienst.
MAY 13, 1958- Holding high the baseball that figured in his 3000th hit, Stan
Musial responds happily to a noisy reception by fans at Union Station.
Musial addresses fans outside Busch Memorial Stadium on Sunday, August 5
after the Cardinals unveiled a statue in his honor. His wife, Lil, and
mother, Mary were also in attendance.
Musial was a frequent visitor to the ballpark even in his late years and
always a fan favorite.
awared the presidential medal of freedom
Stan Musial takes his final lap around Busch Stadium prior to Game 4 of the
2012 NLCS. |
