sentence: in -- a season also marked by the final campaign of the cardinals ' longtime superstar , stan musial -- the redbirds surged into contention , sparked by the acquisition of shortstop dick groat from the pittsburgh pirates , 18-win seasons from pitcher gibson and ernie broglio , the comeback of left-handed starter curt simmons ( who had been signed off the scrap heap by devine ) , and the strong campaign of young catcher tim mccarver .