Evening star., 1958-05-14
!, WIN, LOSE OR
tDRAW By FRANCE, ,rApu
Suitable for the Occasion

BACK IN EARLY MARCH, sitting on the concrete step
in front Of the dugou at Lang Field in ST. Petersburg
Stan Musial shooting the breeze with half dozen
rowing sports writer's Next to winning the batting
championship" Stan saying I'D like to get 43 hits
real quick Then matter what happened I'd be the
3,oOO-hit class" 'ss es@
Yesterday as pinch-hitter against the Cubs Musial
got his S000h hit and thus became only the eighth ball
player in history to join this most exclusive club Eight
out OF maybe 10000 Moreover Musa got his 5000 hits
earlier in his career than any of the others.
you've got record you stand to set this year too"
Stan was reminded in Florida Assuming you break Mel
Otis National League record for total bases and get your
3,000th hit and win the batting title what next?"
:. MuSial who already had broken Otis mark reflected
briefly T don't know" he replied. Il think I'VE got two
or three more years left. Maybe I'll go after Hans
wagner doubles record Is that ambitiousP" With
610 before this season, Musal doubles behind the
great Wagner.
DOES 1T SEEM SURPRISING especially to old timers
that Musia reached the 5000 mark ahead of Ty Cobb2
happens to be true Cobb also joined the 5000 club in
his 18th season, but not until August.
Dave Grote service director of the National League
compiled few other statistics for the big event. such as
Paul Waners reaching the goal his 18th season. Iris
Speaker and Wagner in their 18th Eddie Collins and Nap
Lajoie in their 10th and Cap Anson in his 22d
Even this spring, needing 43 hits, Musal could
aord to be relaxed Barring only severe injury he knew
he was cnch But then Stan always is relaxed That
Musial never fights himself Even when he came up to
the Cardinals in 1s4l he balanced young man. and
happy one Nothings changed except that he's infinitely
weathier He has made lot of money lot of friends
and 5000 base hits He hopeful of saving No 5000 for
St Louis and Manager Fred Hutchinson willing to go
along with Stan Hutch before yesterdays game
in Chicago that he would not play Musal unless pnchhit
were needed
ALTHOUGH HE LOOKS 27, Musial is 81 years old and
1t wasn't expected that he would play every one of the
Cards games Musa by expressing the hope that would
reach his goal in ST. Louis being Enthusiastically
sincere in his wish to do it before the home folks
This recalls the June day in 1912 when Waner
was one hit away from the magic mark. Like Musial
playing field perfectonst Paul wanted to dictate the
conditions. The base hit he wanted had to suit the
occasion AS result Waner entrance into the 3OOO-hit
class delayed
Tommy Holmes, on first base when Waner came to bat
one time broke for second base Naturally the shortstop
very competent in Eddie Joost broke to cover the
bag As he did, Waner slapped the ball toward the hole
JooSt slammed the brakes, twisted and made
desperate try for the ball got his glove on it. but both
runners safe In the press box the official scorer
properly called it base hit
$3.50
& WAIVERS TEAMMATES in the dugout knew it. They
were watching for the scorers finger to 60 up This was
before the days of the electric signals on the
scoreboard So Paul knew that it had been scored as
hit, too.
Standing on first base waner frantically wig-wagged
to the press box 1t he saying in sign
language, and not hit For the time being the scorers
decision Stood but he reversed later after listening to
Waner's pleas.
Two days later June 10, Rip sewel was pitching and
Waner lashed solid single to center That officially
was his goal-reachng hit
- On the way to golf date last March, asked Waner
why he took such pains to deprive himself hit Most
ball players will punch their gandmothers for taking away
a base hit.
Not for No. 5000 they won't" Paul said. That one
Is special It's got to be hit just so. You don't want
nobody laying glove that one"
When MuSial calls it and his story is written
the Boswells will recall that it of Jim Tobn of the
old Boston Braves that he got his first major league hit
Date: September IT, l94l Yesterday another pitcher
became historically significant via the side door, too
80 Is Moe DraOoWSky' whS gave up MuSial's sOOOth.