Mar. 28, 1963 - Stan Musial, 42-year-old outfield star of the St. Louis Cardinals, confirmed today he did not expect to be back next season as a player. “But I’ll be disappointed,” Musial said, “if I don’t end the year hitting .300.” Before an exhibition game with the New York Mets yesterday, Musial had hinted this would be his last spring training. After the game, Musial was honored by the city of St. Petersburg as “Judge of the Supreme Court of Sports.” He received a plaque with the scales of justice inscribed, symbolizing the balance between achievement and sportsmanship. Musial, who played his first major league game for St. Louis on September 17, 1941, is one of the greatest and most consistent hitters in baseball history. He has set records for career hits, runs batted in, games played, at bats, runs scored, and doubles. A 7-time batting champion, he was named the National League’s Most Valuable Player 3 times and was a member of 3 World Series championship teams — in 1942, 1944, and 1946.
