How Stan Musial turned in a great comeback season in 1962

From SABR member Mark Tomasik at RetroSimba on February 10, 2012:

This year is the golden jubilee of one of the most remarkable seasons in the career of Stan Musial.

In 1962, at age 41, Musial, thought by some to be finished, produced like a star player in his prime. He placed second in the National League in on-base percentage (.416) and third in batting average (.330), with 143 hits in 135 games and 82 RBI.

Fifty years later, it remains one of the great performances by a player 40 or older.

After hitting .310 or better in each of his first 17 big-league seasons, Musial failed to reach .300 in three consecutive years (1959-61). Many assumed the 1962 season would be his last and that he might be relegated to part-time status.

Musial worked out diligently after the 1961 season and reported to spring training in top shape in 1962. “I came into camp this year weighing 184, four pounds lighter than a year ago,” Musial told The Sporting News. “And believe me, those four pounds make a difference.”

Read the full article here: http://retrosimba.com/2012/02/10/how-stan-musial-turned-in-a-great-comeback-year-at-41/



Originally published: February 13, 2012. Last Updated: February 13, 2012.