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Photograph by John G. Zimmerman

"...but it is hard to consider his life and times without feeling that he must have been invented by Horatio Alger. His is the story, trite but astounding, of the poor, proud boy who goes to the great city, marries a lovely girl, becomes rich and famous, raises three handsome children, and earns the admiration of his fellow citizens in all walks of life...But Horatio Alger wrote of shoe clerks and industrious newsboys; when Musial stands, coiled and ready, at the plate, he is a warrior."

Text by Paul O'Neil
Issue Date: December 23, 1957

In his 15th season with the St. Louis Cardinals, 37-year-old outfielder Stan Musial proved himself to be one of the greatest hitters in the history of the game. "Stan the Man" hit .351 to lead the National League, and helped the Cardinals in a gutty but failed pennant drive, batting .500 over a crucial two-week period in September.