Yesterday the Cardinals released the team's official 2013 yearbook, which is, of course, dedicated to Stan the Man. Chronicling Stan Musial's career one season at a time, the yearbook offers a colorful tribute to the legacy of the greatest Cardinal who ever lived. The publication features a range of rare photos from the club's archives and various baseball photo collections.
"This yearbook captures the extraordinary impact of Stan's legacy unlike anything ever presented before," Steve Zesch, director of Cardinals publications, says in a statement. "It's packed with details on all of the big games, record-setting performances and off-the-field experiences that distinguished Stan's tremendous career. This is a must-have for every Musial devotee and citizen of Cardinal Nation."
He's right. It has all sorts of goodies. Daily RFT took a peek inside and selected for your viewing pleasure this morning some of the best Musial references, factoids and photos from the publication, on view below.
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(Fans can order the yearbook online or by calling at 314-345-9303. It's also on sale at Busch Stadium and at many area retailers including QuikTrip, Walgreens, Cardinals Clubhouse stores, Wal-Mart, area grocery stores and Johnny Mac's Sporting Goods.)
In addition to the Musial tributes, the publication also includes action photos and studio portraits of all members of the 2013 Cardinals.
Here are some of the best highlights from the more than 250 pages of Musial memories:
1945: The Navy
From the yearbook:
Jan. 5: Musial wires St. Louis Star-Times sports editor Sid Keener that he has not yet received an induction call from the Navy. Cardinals owner Sam Breadon says he only knows what he reads from press reports, which is that Musial's induction is imminent.Jan. 19: Musial passes his military physical exam in Pittsburgh. Four days later, he is sworn in by the Navy.
1947: Christmas
From the yearbook:
Three postseason surgeries, including an appendectomy and tonsillectomy, didn't prevent Musial from getting into the Christmas spirit. He joins teammates (from left) Del Wilber, Dick Sisler, Terry Moore and Red Schoendienst on Dec. 11 to open a Christmas tree lot in the St. Louis suburb of Clayton to benefit the Faust Park Children's Center and the American Cancer Society.
1948: MVP
From the yearbook:
Adding to his ever-growing trophy case, Musial receives his 1948 MVP plaque from commissioner Happy Chandler (above) as the NL's first three-time winner of the honor, prior to the Cardinals' June 26 matinee at Sportsman's Park. Below: For the second time in less than a month, Stan receives the keys to a new car, on this occasion from St. Louis-area DeSoto dealers as part of Stan Musial Day ceremonies on Sept. 7.
Continue for more Stan Musial facts and photos from the yearbook.
