The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1958-07-25
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Suddenly, MusiaI
Rockets Near Ruth

For years, Stanley Francis Musial has been ranked
Is one of the top players in the game OF baseball. Sud
denly, his greatness as a hitter became crystal clear
when last week he moved up behind Babe Ruth In pro-
duction of extra base hits.
Rocketing two home runs at Busch Stadium dur
ing a game with world champion Milwaukee, Stan THE
Man took over second place in extra base bits from
another baseball great, Lou Gehrig.
The two four-bassers gave the 37'yearo!d St.
Louis Cardinal first baseman' l.l9l extra base hits
265 behind the mueh-sforied "Sultan Of Swat, Babe
Ruth. The Babe" collected 1855 extra base hits dur
ina his career, which stretched from Io14-l935.
However, Ruth had 800 at-bats only IL of those
years since he was used primarily as a pitcher the first
four years and played only 28 games his last season
with the Boston Red Sox. +.
Musial, who broke into major league baseball near
the end of the 1941 season, reached his new milestone
rather dramatically-via the home Tun-the hit which
made Ruth so famous.
Yet, Musial himself has never been regarded as
q leading home run hitter. The two round-trippers gave
him a lifetime total of 397-317 less than Babe Ruth.
Although MvsiaIs home run production is quite
unlike Babe Rythfs, their two amazing baseball ca
rsers began quite similarly. Both started out as pitch
srs and later were converted TO outsiders.
Whereas the Babe pitched in the major leagues
for six years, Musial never made it to the big time as
4 hurler. The MANS" mound career came to a sudden
end while playing with the Daytona Beach, Fla. team
in 1910, when he injured his shoulder diving for a
The next year, he began his rocket ride to the
majors when he became a fulltime outfielder and
made his mark as a hitter. In that year, Musial shot
up from the Class C Springfield, Mo. team all the way
up to St. Louis.
with ST. Louis, he capped an outstanding year by
smacking the ball at a .426 clip in II games.
The next year, Musial became a fixture In the
Cardinal lineup. He also played in the first Of three
world series that year.
Since that time, Mysisl has become one Of The
most writfen-sbout and taIked-abovf players in the
annals Of baseball.
Among Musials hitting accomplishments: he holds
five major league records and nine National League
marks. He also ties for three other records. In addition,
he was named the National Leagues most valuable
bases six years and in smuggling percentage five years.
He led the league in walks in 1853 and led the out
fielders in 1949 in double plays.
Earlier this year, Musial joined the company OF
seven other baseball greats-Ty Cobb, Cap Arson, Iris
Speaker, Honus Wagner, Eddie Collins, Nap Lajoie and
Paul Waner-in the 3.000hit club.
Where does he 60 from here?
At this writing, he needs three more homers to
become the sixth player in history to hit 400 or more
during a career; currently leading the league in hit
ting, he stands a good chance to tie Honus Wagner's
National League record Of eight batting championships
And If he keeps his pace, his chances are good
that he will become the first player to win four most
valuable player awards.
One mark that Musial has set his sights on il
Wagner's National League record Of 3,430 hits.
If he can play two more years or so, his goal prob
ably will be reached. He may even be able to pass the
great Sultan In extra-base hits.
Although not found in the record books, MvsiaIs
other accomplishment 10 that he Is = great credit to
The game and an Inspiration to youngsters. One Of
The games most feared hittsrs, he Is also one Of the
games most respected for his conduct both on and
off ihs field.
Musial, a faithful church-goer, is a member of st
Raphael Parish in st. Louis. Next Fall, he'll see his son
Dickie, off to Notre Dame. He also has two daughters
Geraldine and Janet, who attend Sacred Heart Acade