This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/20/2011
Stan Musial, the most popular player in St. Louis Cardinal history and without question the unofficial Mayor of the city, was initially signed as a pitcher and started his career at that position. Although he started his minor league career with a winning record it was suggested that Musial be granted his release; at last chance he was sent to Daytona Beach as a pitcher for the 1940 season and, under the tutelage of former White Sox great Dickie Kerr, he compiled an 18-5 record. Kerr, who often had as few as 15 players on his roster, also played Musial in the outfield. Stan responded by batting a robust .352. Late in the season, he made a diving catch in the outfield, crashing on his left shoulder, and the consequent injury finished him as a pitcher. Musial was convinced by Kerr to remain in baseball as an outfielder, and the next year he ripped through Class C and the International League before hitting .426 in a September call-up with the Cardinals. This was the beginning of an absolute love affair that St. Louis Cardinals fans would share for twenty-two years with the player that they affectionately dubbed "Stan The Man". For one who played so long, Musial was unbelievably consistent. He smacked 1,815 hits at home and the same number on the road. He scored 1,949 runs and drove in 1,951. He batted .310 or better 16 straight seasons and added a .330 season just short of his 42nd birthday. Over 21 full seasons he averaged a remarkable 172 hits, 92 runs scored, 92 RBI, 34 doubles, and 23 home runs per year. As well Musial was named The Sporting News' first Player of the Decade in 1956. The offered full St. Louis Cardinals home uniform hails from 1957 and is completely new to the hobby. The uniform originates from a South Florida gentleman who as a child lived in Jerusalem and whose father worked for the United States Government. As part of his fathers duties, he was supposed to line up dignitaries and celebrities to come to Jerusalem in an effort to both broaden US awareness as well as to keep up the spirits of US personal who were homesick. In 1957, after the St. Louis Cardinals' season was over, Stan Musial made his way to the Middle East and upon arrival gave this uniform from the just-concluded season to a shy and exceptionally homesick seven year old little boy. The uniform was in his possession for the last fifty-plus years and is being sold in the same fashion that it was in when obtained from the previous owner. The jersey itself is fashioned from a cream-colored woolen material that bears the instinctive and altogether classic "Cardinals" logo across the front of the jersey, set just beneath a golden bat with two majestic redbirds atop each side of the war club. There are several areas of "rust" colored staining apparent down the button placard of the jersey as well as several miniature holes that in no way detract from the overall appearance of the garment. (Please note that the jersey has not been professionally cleaned and the distinct possibility exists that the staining most likely would be able to be reversed if the new owner so chose.) Along the button path each and every one of the buttons is one hundred percent original with nothing replaced. As one looks further down the front of the jersey there are some more small rust age spots to the uniform, with most generally to the left of the buttons. At the tail of the jersey there is a Rawlings tag that appears as though, in this case, it was a precursor as it touts "Hall Of Fame Flannel" with a size "44" tag next to it. Beneath this is a script written "Musial 57" that is in a chain-stitched red twine. On the inside right tail is a wash tag that reads "Set I 1957" The reverse of the jersey offers a stunning and fully original "6" in red with an outlined blue tackle twill. This jersey is absolutely one hundred percent fully original without any possibility of any replacement materials having ever been added. The pants are included-as is the original belt-and although they were issued to "Davis" and have that name as well as a "46" written in marker in the waistband, we believe that the pants were wore by Musial. The condition of the pants is exceptional in that they do not display the rust colored age spots save for a small area near the vented crotch holes. In addition to the jersey and pants, the ensemble includes the original socks or stirrups with the traditional red highlighted by the horizontal white and black stripes running around the sock. An absolutely spectacular full home uniform of a first-tier Hall of Famer offered in impeccable condition with outstanding provenance, presented for the very first time at public auction. LOA from Mile High Card Co. Please note there is a reserve for this item.