Return to Collecting Top 50 of All Time - #10 - Stan Musial

This is the forty second episode in my series, the Return to Collecting Top 50. In this episode, I discuss Stan Musial, who is 10th on my list. Please let me know your thoughts in the comments!

[@junkfoodjohnny]

A few Stan stories: 1. Spent a day with him about 20 years ago and he used fold up one dollar bills into rings then sign them (will have to dig thru the archives and send you a photo). I noticed he signed with his right hand. When asked, he said it’s because when at catholic school the nuns used to slap their hands when they saw the students write lefty, so they forced him to write righty. 2. He always used to bring his harmonica to the HOF and play it for everyone, especially on the members only trolley ride to the museum the night before the induction ceremony and sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” Honestly one of the nicest people you could ever meet. Never would have known he was a ballplayer. One of the most underrated, right next to Frank Robinson. Well done at #10.

[@returntocollecting]

Awesome stories John! Must have been a blast to hang out with him. The good old days! Glad you enjoyed!

[@signsofthepastime]

Nice to see Stan the Man make the Top 10. Between his on the field performance and off the field personality you could say he’s number 1. I love all the quotes you chose to include, Darren. Your ‘48 Leaf is a beauty!

[@returntocollecting]

Thanks Hugo! Stan was such a great guy! Glad you enjoyed!

[@ken-pr2df]

That Stan Musial 1948 Leaf card is a museum piece!! Awesome autograph on the baseball!! Musial was one of the all time greats and a tremendous human being!! It really says something about the player when he played for one team for 22 years and at the same time served his country during the war!! Enjoy your countdown!! Keep up the great content!!

[@returntocollecting]

Thanks Ken! Musial was a special guy! Glad you enjoyed!

[@ACD1994]

Great tribute for, a great all-time legend. There might not be too many role models to look up to in baseball, and sports in general, but Stan is, on that short list. Very admirable. A unique person from a generation that seemed more humble and civilized.

[@returntocollecting]

100% agree Andrew! He is a true role model! Glad you enjoyed, my friend!

[@larrygitlin6017]

Thanks for putting my baseball hero Stan Musial in the top ten and well deserved!. I have many stories of the Man including how he graciously helped change our cars flat tire with my Dad after eating at his restaurant Musial and Biggies. I attended his last game 9/29/63 took a 3 minute film of the celebration and his last at bats when I was 15. Still have the scorecard and picture handed out signed by Stan but no ticket. Also have a brick at Musial plaza next to his statue at Busch Stadium. Your 48-49 Leaf is a blazer!

[@returntocollecting]

Thanks Larry! Thats awesome that you got to meet him! Those are some great memories! Glad you enjoyed!

[@BringingTheHeat-VBC]

awesome story and memory.

[@larrygitlin6017]

@@BringingTheHeat-VBC Thanks!. Stan was a gem At my age it is nice to remember anything.

[@blixcards]

We all knew this guy was in the top 10... This is where I'd be stuck for 10 years debating; the Top 10. What a player. He was just THAT good. Loved all the information at the end that I was completely unaware of. Thanks again Darren!

[@returntocollecting]

100% agree! Glad you enjoyed!

[@blixcards]

@@returntocollecting Always do!

[@MidLifeCards]

Absolutely BEAUTIFUL Musial Leaf card.

[@returntocollecting]

Thanks Graig! I appreciate that! Glad you enjoyed!

[@iconic_baseball]

Great job Darren - Eye appeal on that ‘49 Leaf is A+!

[@returntocollecting]

Thanks Al! That's one of my favorite cards. Glad you enjoyed!

[@Valuevintagecards-Aaron]

Absolutely one of my top couple favorite players to collect. He was an amazing player and a better person from all accounts.

[@returntocollecting]

Thanks Aaron! Glad you enjoyed!

[@TankeeFan]

Love that Leaf Musial. A great, dominating, effective player. Very similar to Williams as a scientific, consistent hitter. Love his advice of only hitting the dry side of a spitball.

[@returntocollecting]

Thanks! He was an incredible hitter! I agree with the Williams comparison. The dry side was a great quote!! Glad you enjoyed!

[@TCBsprtscards]

Another fantastic episode, really nice card and autographed baseball as well! Thanks for sharing and have a great weekend!

[@returntocollecting]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed! Have a great weekend!

[@AngryOldManTTM]

Great video and fantastic choice for #10. One of the great hitters of all time for sure. Fantastic information on Stan the Man. Thanks for sharing.

[@returntocollecting]

Thanks Ed! Glad you enjoyed! The top 10 was tough trying rank some of these guys against each other. They were all incredible!

[@Hodges1455]

Gave a video like - Love Stan-The-Man! That '49 Leaf is stunning!! Another awesome video, Darren!

[@returntocollecting]

Thanks Brian! Glad you enjoyed!

[@CardKingCollectibles]

Consistent is the word that comes to mind when I think of Stan Musial. Amazing player and great card and autograph to kick off the top ten Darren!

[@returntocollecting]

Thanks Silas! Glad you enjoyed!

[@RipFan8]

Hi Darren. An absolute beautiful card, of an incredible player. Thanks for sharing my friend. Talk soon pal.

[@returntocollecting]

Thanks Stephen! Glad you enjoyed!

[@sfisportscards8323]

What a career for Stan. An iconic player no doubt. Great to have seen his legacy appreciated well after his playing days. He also had 39 steals at home and on the road, lol.

[@returntocollecting]

Thanks Sammy! He was the "man"... 😂. Thats great that his steals of home and the road were the same. Glad you enjoyed!

[@jon-eriksuermann9844]

THE MAN! A crown jewel in my collection is an SGC 1 Bowman rookie of his. He was too nice, was a Cardinal, and didn’t have the “what if” due to multiple years lost to rank higher. He just did, and did so historically as a Champion.

[@returntocollecting]

Thank Jon! He was the Man!! Glad you enjoyed!

[@thedetroitcollector]

An incredible person and player. Beautiful Leaf!

[@returntocollecting]

Thanks Eric! Glad you enjoyed!

[@vintagesanctuary]

Darren, your Leaf Musial is insanely nice for the grade! So clean! The color! The registration! The centering! The sharpness! 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯 Stoked to be your clubby on that one! 😊👊

[@returntocollecting]

Thanks Adam! As always, I appreciate the kind words clubby!! I'm glad you enjoyed!

[@videoguy316]

That Musial is a stunning piece. The color & registration is phenomenal. I’m happy you made it to the top 10 but a little sad too, now that you’re in the homestretch. Bittersweet but my Friday is complete and I can go back to work lol.

[@returntocollecting]

Ha Thanks for the support Doug! Glad you enjoyed!

[@MrPretty20]

Awesome Darren, have a great weekend

[@returntocollecting]

Thanks Andrew! Have a great weekend as well!

[@scootscollectibles]

What a beauty there! Such an amazing hitter. Sounds like 11/21 is the best day to be born if your from that small hometown. Enjoyed as always Darren.

[@returntocollecting]

Thanks Mike! I agree, 11/21 in Donora should be a holiday!! Glad you enjoyed!

[@basementcardcollector]

Great job Darren great info on Stan usual! It’s it’s fun hearing all of his stats together and where he ranks and the all timers nice card and nice Baseball as well

[@returntocollecting]

Thanks Jason! Glad you enjoyed!

[@peterb4871]

In the top 10 now. What are you going to do with all your free time now?

[@returntocollecting]

Ha! I'm sure I'll find something to do... Thanks Peter!

[@godisgreat8462]

Well done 🎉

[@returntocollecting]

Thanks Ken!

[@BringingTheHeat-VBC]

I always liked Stan the Man. He was good, What a great lookin' LEAFIE! I'm really sorry I haven't given that set the love it rightfully deserves. Welp, I guess there is always time to add it to my "List".

[@returntocollecting]

Thanks Mike! You should have at least 5 or 6 cards from the 49 Leaf set on your list!! Glad you enjoyed!

[@stuke1976]

Enjoyed the Stan the Man episode.

[@returntocollecting]

Thanks Scott! Glad you enjoyed!

[@CollectingMaddux1987]

Probably the most underrated player, other than by Cardinals fans that is

[@returntocollecting]

I agree Allen! Glad you enjoyed!

[@billyballgamesportscards]

Way too low! I'm kidding. One of the greatest people in the history of baseball. I can't remember if you've done Griffey yet. They are an interesting comparison with them having the same birthday and being from the same town. They are two of my most favorite players of all time. Thanks again, and I look forward to seeing how the rest of the top 10 shakes out.

[@returntocollecting]

Ha! Thanks Billy! He was literally the Man! It is crazy how he and Griffey were from the same small town and have he same birthday. Griffey was 28th on the list. Glad you enjoyed!