Comments on: St. Louis Blues to wear Stan Musial sweaters in pregame

By: nolanwiffle

nolanwiffle — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 20:36:40 +0000

There was a very public funeral in Baltimore when Johnny U passed. I’m certain that Brooks Robinson will get similar treatment when he passes. He is of the same character as Musial, in my opinion.

By: jtrain1966

jtrain1966 — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 18:14:04 +0000

The only other athlete i could see getting this kind of response that Stan ” The Man ” Musial has got, & is still getting & deservedly so is : Jean Beliveau ! The reason for me saying this is : You never hear anything bad said about the man, & I’ve heard he does just as much for Montreal, as Stan Musial has done for St. Louis . Now, with that being said, i’m sorry to all of the sports fans of other teams that might not ever have a sports figure that’ll be held in such high regard as these two ; but that’s a testament to the character of the these to men, & the significance that they’ve had on their communities long after their careers have ended !

To end this comment I would like to say :

Rest In Peace, Stan Musial . May you forever be ” The Man “

By: paperlions

paperlions — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 16:13:01 +0000

Oh, I could have been a lot more sanctimonious. LaSorda is a jackass, and guys like Elway and Brett couldn’t hold Musial’s jock in a contest of being a quality individual. There are reasons that Musial is regarded in a way that is unique. Ignore it if you want to, but there isn’t a single player on that list that has the association with a city like Musial did with StL.

By: mrfloydpink

mrfloydpink — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 14:14:54 +0000

Well, paperlions, I am so very glad to have your remarkably sanctimonious analysis.

What I listed, in fact, was guys who are very popular/beloved in the towns in which they played. The fact that most of them played a long time in one town is not unrelated to this status, but was not itself sufficient for inclusion.

Further, I included a large number of possibilites (noting that “a few” would ultimately be correct), because it’s impossible to know how people will respond to a death until it happens, and it’s impossible to know what essential qualities trigger an outpouring like the one Musial received.

And your obvious disdain for “coastal cities” aside (as if it makes sense to lump, say, Los Angeles, New York, and Atlanta all together like they are one and the same), there is simply no basis for your notion that some of these people are not a part of the fabric of their communities. I do not know exactly how Bostonians feel about Yaz or how New Yorkers feel about Berra. But as an Angeleno, I know that Vin Scully and Tommy Lasorda and Magic Johnson are all INSTITUTIONS in this city (with Lasorda and Scully dating back to the 1950s). Like Musial, EVERYONE has seen them around town at one point or another–whether at games, or elsewhere. Like Musial, there are HUNDREDS of anecdotes about their character/kindness/etc. Like Musial, they all live here.

And as to Wayne Gretzky, he was beloved enough that his number was retired throughout hockey. GIven his personality, and his contributions to hockey, and his place as a national icon in Canada, it would not surprise me if his death was met with quite a response in, say, Edmonton.

By: paperlions

paperlions — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 12:31:34 +0000

I don’t think it is objectionable, but it also isn’t a very good list. You just listed a bunch of guys that (mostly) played their entire careers with one team (no idea why Gretzky is on there). Playing or coaching in one place a long time isn’t the same as being part of the fabric of the community (e.g. Bird left Boston. Jeter won’t be living in NY). In StL, Musial was THE MAN, not one of many as you have in larger coastal cities where celebrities come and go.

By: mrfloydpink

mrfloydpink — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 05:29:58 +0000

Not sure what the thumbs down are about. Is it really objectionable to say that there are a small number of athletes/sports figures that are possibly as beloved in their cities as Stan Musial was in his?

By: geshtahl

geshtahl — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 04:28:12 +0000

I’m a Wings fan who lives in the STL. I must admit that the Blues winning their STANley Cup in the year of Stan the Man’s death would make for a wonderful narrative.

By: tc4306

tc4306 — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 02:29:22 +0000

Gordie Howe, Jean Beliveau

By: mustbechris

mustbechris — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 01:51:41 +0000

A Flyers fan in agreement with someone named “philliesblow.” This is a monumental day.

By: mrfloydpink

mrfloydpink — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 01:04:22 +0000

I dunno if I’d go that far. Cal Ripken. Tony Gwynn. George Brett. Derek Jeter. Bart Starr. John Elway. Ray Bourque. Wayne Gretzky. Magic Johnson. Larry Bird. Bill Russell. Henry Aaron. Yogi Berra. Carl Yastrzemski. If you include coaches and announcers, then Vin Scully, Mike Krzyzewski, Dean Smith, Don Shula, Tommy Lasorda. I can see it with at least a few on this list.

By: mrfloydpink

mrfloydpink — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 00:58:41 +0000

Or else it would make calling penalties very, very easy.

Five minute major on #6. Two-minute minor on #6. Game misconduct for #6.

By: Carl Hancock

Carl Hancock — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 00:22:27 +0000

Musial is one of the last players alive to hold such a significant status in the city they played. A public wake? Public mass and memorial ceremony? I can’t see that happening with any of today’s current athletes. He was a special individual. RIP Stan.

By: paperlions

paperlions — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 23:15:18 +0000

The only thing cooler would be if they could wear them for the game….but I guess that would make calling penalties a little difficult.

Pretty cool to see the city celebrate The Man’s life.

By: philliesblow

philliesblow — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 23:12:26 +0000

Wouldn’t doubt it. Gordie Howe often took batting practice with the Tigers and could hit. Both sports require good hand-eye coordination.

By: mickeyb21

mickeyb21 — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 23:05:58 +0000

They are. The money raised from the auction is being split between Cardinals’ Care and Blues’ 14 Fund. I believe Stan and the Musial family would be okay with this.

By: dondada10

dondada10 — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 22:49:32 +0000

They should auction those and give the proceeds to a charity of the Musial family’s choice.

By: mustbechris

mustbechris — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 22:16:03 +0000

Musial probably could’ve played for the Blues and been reasonably successful.