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LIFE With the Man: Rare and Classic Photos of Stan Musial

2 minute read

Stan “The Man” Musial, who died earlier this year at the age of 92, was a three-time MVP and a three-time World Series champ for the St. Louis Cardinals. He won the National League batting title seven times. He missed winning the Triple Crown by one home run in a year when Statistician Bill James ranked Musial the 10th greatest all-around baseball player in major league history, and the second best left fielder of all time, just behind Ted Williams.

In 1948, when he missed the Triple Crown by one home run, he batted .376 with 39 homers, 131 RBIs, 46 doubles, 18 triples — and 34 strikeouts. In fact, Musial finished his two-plus-decade career with only 696 strikeouts; some famous sluggers, past and present (Reggie Jackson, Alex Rodriguez, Jim Thome, Sammy Sosa) have whiffed that many times in just four or five seasons.

[Read an appreciation of Stan Musial, the man and the player, on Keeping Score.]

Beyond the phenomenal statistics, the National League and major league records he still holds and the respect he commanded from teammates and foes, alike, Musial was also one of the most beloved figures in the history of the game. People everywhere liked Stan Musial.

Cardinal teammate (and notoriously intimidating competitor) Bob Gibson once said, “Stan Musial is the nicest man I ever met in baseball. And, to be honest,” he admitted, “I can’t relate to that.”

Musial was a great player, and a good man, and he will be sorely, sorely missed.

Here, with the Cardinals once again in the World Series, LIFE.com presents a gallery of photos — many of which never ran in LIFE — of the Man on and off the field. We will not see his like again.

— Ben Cosgrove is the Editor of LIFE.com

Stan Musial, Roy Campanella, Sportsman's Park, St. Louis
Not published in LIFE. Stan Musial bats against the Dodgers (Roy Campanella, catching), Sportsman's Park, St. Louis, 1956.Francis Miller—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Stan Musial in 1948, the year he had one of the greatest seasons ever enjoyed by any hitter in history.
Not published in LIFE. Stan Musial in 1948, when he put together one of the greatest seasons ever enjoyed by any hitter in history, and missed winning the Triple Crown by one home run.Joe Scherschel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Stan Musial displays his seemingly awkward "knock-kneed" bating stance, 1952.
Stan Musial and his seemingly awkward "knock-kneed" batting stance, 1952.Francis Miller—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Stan Musial's compact, powerful swing, 1952.
Stan Musial's compact, sweet, powerful swing, 1952.Francis Miller—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
After slapping a hit to center, Stan Musial dashes toward first, 1952.
After slapping a hit to center, Stan Musial dashes toward first, 1952.Francis Miller—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Stan Musial with his St. Louis teammates, 1952.
Stan Musial with his St. Louis teammates, 1952.Francis Miller—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Stan Musial chats with Cardinals player-manager Eddie "The Brat" Stanky in 1952.
Stan Musial chats with Cardinals player-manager Eddie "The Brat" Stanky in 1952.Francis Miller—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Stan Musial in 1952.
Not published in LIFE. Stan Musial in 1952.Francis Miller—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Stan Musial with his wife, Lillian, and their children, 1952.
Stan Musial with his wife, Lillian, and their children, 1952.Francis Miller—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Stan Musial (center) shares a joke with teammates and brothers Lindy and Von McDaniel, 1955.
Stan Musial (center) shares a joke with teammates and brothers Lindy and Von McDaniel, 1955.George Silk—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Manager Fred Hutchinson (right) congratulates Stan Musial after his 3,000th hit, a pinch-hit double off the Cubs' Moe Drabowsky in 1958.
Manager Fred Hutchinson (right) congratulates Stan Musial after his 3,000th hit, a pinch-hit double off the Cubs' Moe Drabowsky in 1958.Al Fenn—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Red Schoendienst and Stan Musial work out together, 1960.
Red Schoendienst and Stan Musial work out together, 1960.Francis Miller—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Stan Musial talks to the press before his last game, September 1963.
Not published in LIFE. Stan Musial talks to the press before his last game, September 1963.Robert W. Kelley—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Stan Musial and his old friend and long-time Cardinal, Red Schoendienst (right, with movie camera in hand) on Musial's last day in the majors, 1963.
Not published in LIFE. Stan Musial and his old friend, Red Schoendienst (right, with movie camera in hand), on Musial's last day in the majors, September 29, 1963.Robert W. Kelley—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
In front of tens of thousands of loyal Cardinals fans, his teammates and the Cincinnati Reds, Stan Musial says goodbye to baseball in September, 1963, after 22 years in a St. Louis uniform.
In front of tens of thousands of loyal Cardinals fans, his teammates and the Cincinnati Reds, Stan Musial says goodbye to baseball in September, 1963, after 22 years in a St. Louis uniform.Robert W. Kelley—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Stan Musial (right) celebrates his retirement from baseball at his own restaurant, with Sen. Stuart Symington (D-MO, center) enjoying the festivities.
Stan Musial (right) celebrates his retirement from baseball at his own restaurant, with Sen. Stuart Symington (D-MO, center) enjoying the festivities.Robert W. Kelley—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Fans, teammates and opponents (the Cincinnati Reds) applaud Stan Musial as he takes a farewell ride around the ballpark on his last day in the majors, September 29, 1963.
Not published in LIFE. Fans, teammates and opponents (the Cincinnati Reds; #20 is the great Frank Robinson) applaud Stan Musial as he takes a farewell ride around the ballpark on his last day in the majors, September 29, 1963.Robert W. Kelley—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

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