June 22, 1962 - Stan Musial set a major league record for career total bases today as the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Philadelphia Phillies, 7-3, in the first game of a twilight-night doubleheader. The Phils won the second game, 11-3. In the opener, Musial hit a home run and two singles to break the late Ty Cobb’s major league record of 5,863 total bases. Musial raised his count to 5,866 by getting a single in the second game. “For some reason I never paid much attention to that record,” said Musial. “But my friends tell me it will eventually be the one I will prize the most.” This is Musial’s 21st year in the majors. Cobb’s record was set in a 24-year period with the Detroit Tigers and the Philadelphia Athletics. It had lasted since 1923, Ty’s last year in baseball. Cobb was 41 when he finally retired; Musial, now 41 himself, has said that he may play another year or so if he has a good season in 1962.
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