Show i V 1 By STAN MUSIAL as told to t Bob Broeg i appearances (19) His pinch single and games brought tremendous ovations hits and behind only He ranks second only to Babe Ruth in extra-bas- e Ruth and Ty Cobb in total bases He has played in more consecutive games (895) than any other National Leaguer Here then is Stan's farewell to baseball the game he loved and the game he played as few did in the long history' of the national pastime Stan Musial bows out of baseball this year leaving behind a record certain to establishJiim in the Hall of Fame As his last inning approaches here's what he can look back on: three Most Valuable Player awards Seven batting championships the National League career record for five home runs in one day doubles record for getting a share in the' major-leagu- e four times in one season being one of only eight players to collect 3000 hits I been it just putting York Yankees to win the World Series in 1942 my first full season in the majors They say I almost bawled like a baby when Lil and I left New York for Donora that night We had week —$6000 — than I'd earned more in that World-Seribeen paid all season My daughters Geraldine 15 and Janet 10 have seen to it too that my retirement won’t come as a complete letdown —they 've never let me get too high! Three years ago when the Cardinals made a surprising pennant bid and I won my seventh batting title I might have had my ego fattened in some homes But my girls weren’t Interested in my 351 average They were only interested in having me bring home to dinner our phenomenal rookie pitcher Von McDaniel 18 and the Cardinal’s handsome bachelor who played second base idol Don Blasingame another bobby-so- x During those wonderful years when I was fast enough to get some “leg" hits along with the line drives against and over the fences I knew ' there had to be a day when the speed would go when the bases would seem more than 90 feet apart and the base paths uphill all the way Bui it was hard! confess to admit I was an old Musial rather than the Musial of old 1 wanted to keep going because the thrill of putting on that uniform was still there I especially wanted to put together a performance this season so I could bow out gracefully I’ve always tried to be a team man first and to consider myself second but I confess I found riding the bench extremely hard to take I know now even more than before that I couldn’t sit there as coach or manager powerless to help with my glove or bat I’m just not a cheerleader Baseball was always fun Not now though— not when there's ! question whether I can help or hurt a club or there’s a doubt that I return value dollar for dollar with interest If this then is to be my last inning and the time to take off my uniform I at least feel that the whole experience was really great while it lasted I hope I’ll be remembered just as fondly as I’ll remember baseball sounds unbelievable but to me the greatest thrill in baseball has on a uniform day after day So it figures that the toughest moment for me is taking it off for the last time Except for reunions or special occasions I doubt that you’ll see my red No 6 ' after this season because the St Louis Cardinals have said they plan to retire it—and I know that I have no intention of returning as manager ‘ or coach Managing is too tough You have to be too many things to too f - many people Mostly you have to be unpleasant more than I care to be I never disliked anyone not even the pitchers I tried to AI i blast out of the box every time I stepped up to the plate You see the kick out of just playing baseball was even greater to me than the satisfaction of having been a poor kid from western Pennsylvania who became famous and wealthy Imagine getting paid so much to play a boy’s game a game other men regretfully outgrow only because they have to earn a living I'm proud that I've become prominent I’m happy because my mother is pleased my wife Lil and our children — or at least three of our four I'm afraid “ little Jeannier just 1V4' came along too“late to see the “old man” hit one Come to think of It though youngest may show me a little more my roly-po- ly respect than my son Dick did the evening I bui through the door head high after becoming the first ( to hit five home runs in a double-head“Gee Dad” said Dick then 13 “they must have throwing you fat pitches today!” Dick is nearly 20 now a track man and premedical student at Notre Dame University I learned that blood really was thicker than water the first time I saw him foot- play ball and Watched with great pride as he broke away on a long touchdown run I think I was more excited’ then than the day the Cardinals upset the New know big-leag- ue f £ er prep-scho- ol - All-St- ICONAKD 1 DAVIDOW All-St- ar ar l es i Awetutuifse Wbaiclr COVER: The camera of Ozzie Sweet captures the beauty of Zorada Johnson from Sarasota Fla She’s the third Miss Somebody in our j series and her picture story is on page 10 and most homer in this year's k Yeridmi ini PuUuktr loord of Editors IMS FAMILY WfEKIV MAOAZINR INC EKNEST V HCYN BiiUr44itf KM KASTMAN ffaomUw editor WALTHC MIYHIS Vin PrttUnit PATRICK I OHOURKI Adiwrliiing Dirtier Stud all advertising communications to Family Weekly IS N Michigan An Chicago I III -- Jt — -l features to M1W18I Family Wotkly 60 E Mth K Now York 22 N Y ROUST FITZQISBON tfiMymf editor MAMARfT BCLl Vt tore editor PHI1UP DYKSTRA Art Director MilANII Df PROFT feed editor - ah Irma Heldman Joha Hochwonn Jerry Klein Harold London Jack Ryonj Peer flppsnhslmor Hollywood IS Driscoll N Michigan Avo Chicago I III AH rights received t ' |