Biography

A short bio from the Helmar “This Great Game” card back: When Musial arrived in camp for the first time with the Cardinals, he had a sore arm and couldn’t throw a strike to save his life. The most senior scout in the organization wanted to release the young pitcher, but Musial had one man in his corner: general manager Branch Rickey, the famed “Mahatma,” a master at evaluating ballplayers. Rickey watched Musial smack a home run in a spring game and immediately ordered his coaches to keep the Polish kid from Pennsylvania in uniform. “Don’t let him go,” Rickey said, “put him in the outfield and see if he can hit.” Oh how The Man can hit: emerging as the best hitter in the league, a perennial favorite to win the batting title. Nice catch, Mr. Rickey.

Animated Player

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