Stan Musial: An American Life

by George Vecsey

When baseball fans voted on the top twenty-five players of the twentieth century in 1999, Stan Musial didn’t make the cut. This glaring omission—later rectified by a panel of experts—raised an important How could a first-ballot Hall of Famer, widely considered one of the greatest hitters in baseball history, still rank as the most underrated athlete of all time?

In Stan Musial , veteran sports journalist George Vecsey finally gives this twenty-time All-Star and St. Louis Cardinals icon the kind of prestigious biographical treatment previously afforded to his more celebrated contemporaries Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio. More than just a chronological recounting of the events of Musial’s life, this is the definitive portrait of one of the game’s best-loved but most unappreciated legends, told through the remembrances of those who played beside, worked with, and covered “Stan the Man” over the course of his nearly seventy years in the national spotlight.

Stan Musial never married a starlet. He didn’t die young, live too hard, or squander his talent. There were no legendary displays of temper or moodiness. He was merely the most consistent superstar of his era, a scarily gifted batsman who compiled 3,630 career hits (1,815 at home and 1,815 on the road), won three World Series titles, and retired in 1963 in possession of seventeen major-league records. Away from the diamond, he proved a savvy businessman and a model of humility and graciousness toward his many fans in St. Louis and around the world. From Keith Hernandez’s boyhood memories of Musial leaving tickets for him when the Cardinals were in San Francisco to the little-known story of Musial’s friendship with novelist James Michener—and their mutual association with Pope John Paul II—Vecsey weaves an intimate oral history around one of the great gentlemen of baseball’s Greatest Generation.

There may never be another Stan the Man, a fact that future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols—reluctantly nicknamed “El Hombre” in Musial’s honor—is quick to acknowledge. But thanks to this long-overdue reappraisal, even those who took his greatness for granted will learn to appreciate him all over again.

Genres: Baseball, Sports, Biography, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir, History, Audiobook

416 pages, Hardcover

First published May 10, 2011

Reviews

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this detailed biography about Stan the Man. Lots of baseball lore and other stars. I came to admire him even more by the end of my reading.

[Harold Kasselman · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many "wunnerful" things to say about Vecsey's biography of Stanley Musial. It is simply superb. First, I liked the fact that Vecsey did not begin the book with details about Musial's childhood. Instead we have an overview of the man in the first six chapters. Secondly, I could sense the author's reverence for THE MAN, something that I have always shared. I came away from this book really believing that I understood Stan Musial despite the author's own admission that no one really got to the core of the man. My father was of his generation so I could relate to the inherent sense of insecurity(he lacked a college education), the humility, the blue collar work ethic, the poverty of his youth, his love of his parents and their values, and the loyalty to his partner in life Lil. Here was a man whose life connections began with Dickie Kerr(he of the 1919 White Sox) and developed into associations with JFK, LBJ, Pope John Paul II, and even a close friendship with James Michener. And yet Stan always seemed to pale in celebrity to Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio. As Vescey said, "From 1946, when all three came back from the war, until 1951 when DiMaggio retired, Musial was every bit their equal-some would say maybe even better..... but somehow DiMaggio and Williams exited the public with their air of mystery and inaccessibility, whereas Musial grew more familiar and somehow smaller." Joe Cronin voted for Stan Musial as the greatest player of the decade from 1946 through 1955. Joe Cronin had been Ted's manager in the 46 World Series and the Red Sox general manager from 1948 through 1956. But in the immortal words of Ford Frick, he was "baseball's perfect knight." He was simply a lovable man who didn't like conflict, would not rock the boat, but who would do the right thing throughout his life. This was a guy that Branch Rickey didn't want to sign, tried to trade for $45,000 to the Giants, and whom former Cards GM Frank "Trader" Lane almost traded to the Phillies for Robin Roberts in 1956. Even his last appearance in St. Louis to honor him, he was overshadowed by the appearance of President Obama and the security detail that detracted from the Musial day. I was lucky enough to see him play. I'd mimic his famous crouched stance, and wear my baseball cap with the rim bent in the middle like him. George Vescey brings Musial to life and provides magnificent photographs to remember this jovial and sweet man who will always be Stan The Man Musial. It's a wonderful tribute and one of the best biographies I have read. I hope Stan is playing the harmonica for Lil above.

[Arthur Kyriazis · Rating 1 out of 5]

this book was just awful.

i recognize Vecsey is some kind of an icon in both ny and american sports circles, but this book is not even remotely a workmanlike job of setting forth the who what when where why of Stan Musials life and career. Vecsey gets facts wrong, he doesn't tell his story in a straight historical narrative, and much of what he does say seems to be rehashed from memory rather than researched from the archives of Cooperstown or from interviews with Stan himself, or with players who played with Stan.

This book was enormously disappointing. When I was a kid I read a thin little volume at the public library about Stan the Man Musial, and it was just wonderful--it gave all the facts and figures, and for a long time I thought he was just the best player ever.

This book does not do justice to the man from Donora, PA.

There is one important contribution the book makes, but does not explore, and that is that Stan Musial played baseball in high school with Ken Griffey's grandfather. This would have been in the late 1930s when many high schools were still segregated. Griffey's dad was the football star of the HS, and presumably, was also a fine baseball player.

But Vecsey, pardon the pun, drops the ball here. He has no interview with Griffey Junior, no additional photos, nothing at all. Here is a subject that everyone in the world would want to read about--how two superstars come from the same town, and how the father played with Stan the Man Musial--begging the question, HOW GOOD A BALLPLAYER WAS KEN GRIFFEY'S granddad? After all, his son was a major leaguer on the big red machine, and then his grandson was only about the best HR hitter ever in the 1990s.

I mean, what did Vecsey want to write about instead? More Branch Rickey stories?

I feel as if Vecsey has missed the forest for the trees here, and that another writer will pick up what has to be the real story--how a black man and a white man played together on one of the greatest HS teams of all time in Donora, PA, and gave birth to not one but three baseball superstars, and probably two HOFers.

[Doug · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book better. I'm not sure if it's Vecsey's writing style, a natural consequence of an almost oral history approach, if it's a pre-publication draft that hopefully got significant editing before the final release, or some combination of the three. But it was tougher to stay engaged in this book than I thought it would have been.

I loved reading about Stan Musial when I was a kid and his hard work ethic and humility shown through vividly here. His early life in Donora near Pittsburgh was well described and his relationship with his parents. And the vast difference in how ball players were treated and the $$$ they made in Musial's day compared to the modern era is stark.

However, the book was episodic and tremendously choppy. Anecdotes strung together within chapters didn't always seem connected and the chronology of events was often confusing. A story that would start in the 1960s would have a side reference to something that happened in 1974 and then wrap up in the 1960s again. It doesn't always have to be purely chronological, but the jumping from thought to thought to thought was distracting and required re-reading of passages to make sure I was clear what was going on.

[John Yingling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was there such a thing as "the good old days"? As far as sports are concerned, most definitely yes in my opinion. Stan Musial played baseball in the days when ballplayers had to work a second job in the offseason just to make ends meet, when they did something exciting on the ballfield and let their action speak for themselves, instead of preening and posing, and when there were far fewer teams, and you were able to "get to know" the players.
And, Stan Musial was a real gentleman; soft-spoken, hard-working, a great teammate, and a real family man. George Vecsey does an outstanding job of conveying Mr. Musial's life and times. Highly recommended.

[Sue Hertling · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's so uplifting to read about an incredible athlete and successful businessman who remained grounded in humility and decency. This is the life story of a baseball star who was, above all else, a good man.

[David Schroeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a life. One thing that fascinates me about great sports stars is what they do with the decades after their career is over. Stan was present with the people. That is the Stan Musial I met as a 17 year old teenager one summer in St. Louis. It's a long, yet fun story and I shared it on my blog years ago.
https://davidmschroeder.com/2013/01/2...
Nevertheless, "Stan the man" is my dad's boyhood hero and like many St. Louisans, I am so blessed to have met him. I haven't read other bios on him so I can't judge this compared to others. Yet, I thought it was as complete as can be while not being the official bio. I don't expect perfection out of anyone but I was still amazed at how Stan lived his life. It seemed very consistent and honorable and he brings a sense of pride to St. Louisans and baseball fans everywhere. And a tip of the hat to Dodgers fans who gave Stan the nickname we know him as today, "Stan the man."

[Robert Sparrenberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are two groups of biographies that I always enjoy: sports stars especially baseball and music bios. This one falls into the first category obviously and it was just what I expected it to be.

Stan the man. What a guy. Never got the press that Williams and DiMaggio got but boy he could hit a baseball. I think some of our modern baseball players could learn a few things from Stan.

The style of this book is slightly unusual in that the author goes off on many minor tangents. I could tell he’s versed in many subjects and dropped lines from time to time with references that an unread reader might not get.

Overall a great look at Stan the Man.

[Elin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book via a giveaway from Goodreads and was quite thrilled when I got my confirmation email. As a western Pennsylvania native, Musial, former Card or not, was always a favorite of mine. He played well before I was born, but as a student of U.S. history and baseball fan (go Buccos!), I knew what I consider to be a decent deal about Musial. The more I learned about him, the more I grew to love him not only for what he did on the field, but more for what he did off of it. Anyone can be a good player, but it takes a lot more to be a good person.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book because it dealt with Musial as the man behind the batting stance. I wouldn't have minded a bit more of Musial the player, but that's been told before and stats are so easy to come by.

Today's players are more about self rather than something bigger than themselves. They worry about signing endorsement deals and where they'll get the biggest paycheck. Musial was the opposite of this, which, as Vecsey points out in the book, is why people don't remember him or don't seem to respond to him as well as they do DiMaggio or other players of their day. He didn't lead a flashy life off the field, which isn't always a bad thing. Cards fans will surely appreciate this book, as will fans of the game who have any interest in his time period.

My only complaint with the book would be that it was slightly jumpy. It was almost like having a conversation with Vecsey, which works, and as I stated earlier, I appreicated the little stories about Musial's life off the field, but sometimes the chapters didn't seem to connect. Maybe I wasn't expecting that when I was reading it and perhaps after a second or third read, it would be more fluid.

But overall I would recommend this book to my other sports and baseball friends because I think it does an excellent job of telling this man's story, but also serves as an interesting overall story to the men who played during the time. So many had similar stories and I think it acts as a great introduction, to those less familiar with the period, to go out and learn more about his peers and more more about Musial as well.

[Socraticgadfly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe Stan Musial hasn't made more baseball fans' "cut" because he hasn't had better or deeper biographies. George Vecsey tries, but doesn't quite get all the way there. It seems like he just doesn't have as much "material" as a DiMaggio or Mantle book. I don't know whether that's from Stan playing in St. Louis, or something else, as Jane Leavey showed with Mantle and his background.

Heroes don't have to have feet of clay, but many do.

That said, Vecsey does show us that, at least in the case of Joe Garagiola, Stan could certainly bear a grudge. Was this the only case? I bet not; I would have liked to hear more.

And, Musial having Alzheimer's is mentioned almost in passing. How much do we know about this? Is he that aware that he won the Presidential Medal of Freedom?

Also, race issues. I don't think he was a racist, but did Musial hear what people like Curt Flood or Bob Gibson thought of him? Did he respond? I'd like to know.

I had heard this book was good, but not quite great. And so it is. Maybe a great one will come along, but I doubt it.

[Abraham Allende · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book shortly after Stan Musial died in January of 2013. But it remained on my shelf as a to-read until I had a few days off his Summer.
Musial was revered in Western Pennsylvania, where I spent my adolescent years. This book sheds more light on the man than what I knew as a youngster, but it still left me somewhat uninspired. For one thing, the author, George Vecsey, inserts himself into the narrative far more than necessary, as if his admiration for Musial somehow justifies his reason for writing the biography. In his effort to elevate Musial's stature, the project turns into more of a testimonial than an account of the player's life. The writer also never spoke to Musial, although I understand the reasons why.
It was still worth the read, however. I was pleased that Vecsey included the social commentary of the 40's and 50's and provided some insights into Musial's attitudes on race and the integration of Major League Baseball. Though Musial was the centerpiece, I appreciated reading a harsher, more critical perspective of Branch Rickey, as well as the the instrumental roles played by other giants of that era in the rise and development of professional baseball.
All in all, I would still recommend the book. I can't go much beyond three stars and say I really liked it, but it's a decent Summer read for any fan of baseball and the history of the game.

[Jim · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is a struggle for me to give this book so few stars, only because it seems a reflection on the subject. Just to set the record straight, Stan Musial gets 5 stars but this biography, honestly, doesn't. I really wanted to like it more than I, eventually, did. There were good stories contained within, snippets that I repeated over lunch conversations, and I think I know more about Stan's life and career than I did before. But that's not enough.

You've all heard books called "page-turners" or heard people say that they "couldn't put it down." With this one, I could hardly make myself pick it up. When I did, it was okay. But I'm ready to move on.

I think that it's telling that my internal reaction was "Whoo-hoo" when I realized that the last 54 pages were Notes, Bibliography, and Index. Now . . . "Whoo-Hoo" . . . I can move on.

[John Kennedy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a disappointing book. It's a series of vignettes that never really form a clear picture of Stan the Man, who remains an enigma. Vecsey didn't interview Musial and it shows. Most of the content has been reported elsewhere and the book is dominated by secondary sources. I wanted more details about Musial, but I came away with little more than he is a nice guy who isn't that quotable. The anecdotes provided aren't that interesting. The book gives a more interesting portrait of Jackie Robinson and James Michener on chapters focusing on them.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid bio of the most underrated player in MLB history. He and Griffey are 2 of the best 7 outfielder in history and they're both from the small steel town of Donora in Western PA. What are the odds?

[Martin Renzhofer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stan Musial, a Hall of Fame outfielder/first baseman who played for the St. Louis Cardinals between 1941 and 1963, is one of the greatest baseball players to put on a Major League Baseball uniform. He also owns of the most unique stats - he had exactly the same number of hits at home - 1,815 - as he did on the road. The Man - that was his nickname, bestowed by rival Brooklyn Dodger fans - Arrived in the majors when players traveled on trains and retired when they flew on jets. He was among the players who stopped player protests over the arrival of Jackie Robinson. He helped win three championships, won three MVP awards and finished second four times. He retired with a .331 lifetime batting average, 475 homers, 725 doubles and 177 triples. Seven batting titles and 24 All-Star appearances (they had two for a couple years to raise money for the players' fund). He was the player of the decade between 1945 and 1955. I list these stats and accomplishments just to show why he was among the best ever. He's also been among the most forgotten superstars. Had he played in New York, well, the Yankee myth machine would have lifted his status near Gehrig-like status. Musial came from a poverty-filled back background in a small steel town near Pittsburgh. His parents came from Poland, so his was a real success story. He began his professional career as a pitcher mired in the low minor leagues. He hurt his arm and became a hitter. In the space of one season, he rose from the D leagues to the Cardinals, hitting over .400 the last two weeks of a pennant race season. Unreal. Anyway, Vecsey's book covers all of this and much more, including Musial's off-field businesses. His portrait is unflinchingly loving - sometimes overly so. There are constant references to how the always accessible Musial stacked up against the two other great hitters of the era - the aloof Joe DiMaggio and unapproachable Ted Williams. In a search for someone who would say something bad about Musial, Vecsey does find a story that Musial was once rude to a young autograph seeker. He also reveals that sometimes Musial would hold a grudge and hated conflict. But most of the book is filled with repeated antidotes about the love fans, especially in St. Louis, held for this left-handed hitter with the unique hitting stance. Sometimes, Vecsey injects himself into the book, but for useful purpose, this includes a poignant conclusion when the author meets the aging, ill former ballplayer. I enjoyed the book very much, first because I've always like Musial, who had great personality and likeability. This all comes through as he stumps for John Kennedy, meets the Pope or secretly gives money and assistant from former ballplayers down on their luck to young kids in Poland who need equipment. In addition, Vecsey is an excellent writer. One last story. Musial kept his home phone listed in the phone book and would regularly talk with fans who would call.

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Engaging in sports themed subject matter while additionally getting into seasonally specific baseball themed biography makes me happy. Landing on the George Vecsey biography 'Stan Musial: An American Life' from May, 2011 brings me to an enjoyable summer read.

National Baseball Hall of Famer Stan Musial grew up in Donora, Pennsylvania. Donora is roughly an hour’s drive south of Pittsburgh. Besides being famous for being Musial‘s childhood home, the Deadly Donora Smog of 1948 also put this town on the map in environmental circles. Musial would make his Major League Baseball debut with the St. Louis Cardinals of St. Louis, Missouri on September 14, 1941, roughly two-months short of his twenty-first birthday.

'Stan Musial: An American Life' was written from a perspective of reverence, memory and with a native New Yorker’s perspective and personality. George Vecsey grew up in Queens, a borough of New York City in New York. Born in July of 1939, there was a generational awareness for Vecsey that came with knowing that Musial had a reputation for not being a gambler or drinker while also being a good hitter and ballplayer. Musial‘s smoking, attitude about supporting the effort during World War Two, and integration of Major League Baseball in a city like St. Louis, Missouri were raised.

The book 'Stan Musial: An American Life' doesn’t follow the traditional narrative structure some look for in a biography. That is, the book doesn’t follow a chronological approach in seeking to fill in factual information that gives you a sense of the man and his struggle. The storytelling follows a more topical approach, with arguably a bit more of the author’s personal reasons of time, place and the prevailing culture of the age being reasons for revering Stan Musial. Judging Musial as a man by the prevailing norms of the period, with some of Musial‘s military service record coming up in something less than the most flattering light in those terms, being as hard hitting as the author gets.

Vecsey going into the respect between Albert Pujols and Musial. Making arguments of relative reputations and respect among Joe DiMaggio of the New York Yankees, Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox, and Stan Musial of the Cardinals came up, as did the Presidental Medal of Freedom awarded to Musial by United States President Barack Obama in 2011. The biography that is 'Stan Musial: An American Life' by George Vecsey earns 3.5-stars on a scale of 1-to-5.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a life long Cardinals fan, I always wanted to learn more about Stan Musial and what it was like being a ballplayer during his time. Vecsey delivers; meeting my expectations. It is clear he did extensive research, communicating several noteworthy events within a few hundred engrossing pages.

I am now definitely a fan of ‘Stan the Man’. No one is perfect, but his demeanor both on and off the field was exemplary.

The variance between the median US national income and professional baseball players is obviously much greater now compared to the 40s, 50s, and 60s. Even elite players back then had to work hard to make ends meet. I believe this enhanced their character. Sadly, several ‘all-star’ players of today have no sense of loyalty and sell out to the highest bidder. Can you imagine Musial, Willams, or DiMaggio turning down a 300 million dollar offer to play for another club? When Musial had a disappointing year, he suggested a pay cut until he could again prove himself. Can you image that happening today?

On a smaller scale though, for mere mortals, this is the sign of the times. Loyalty between employee and employer has all but evaporated. Working 30+ years for the same company and realizing a hard earned pension for loyalty and dedication is a rarity.

The impression I have of Musial is he treated everyone as he would like to be treated, and strived to never disappoint. His desire to always exhibit the utmost respect for others was extraordinary. Doing so at times came at the expense of himself and his family.

Recommended for baseball fans wishing to embark on an adventure to travel back in time.

[Paul Burgoyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Albert Pujols burst on the scene in St. Louis, some Cardinal fans were starting to call him ‘El Hombre.’ Pujols rejected the nickname saying there was only one Man in St. Louis. Stan the Man Musial had already earned that nickname. What’s not to like about a square-hitting, square-living, harmonica-playing outfielder-first baseman who knocked out 475 homeruns (including 5 in one day) while building a lifetime BA of .331? He was such a consistent batsman that he made exactly half of his 3630 hits on the road and the other half at home. He is sometimes forgotten because in comparison to his contemporaries, Joe Dimaggio and Ted Williams, he lived a rather ordinary life. There was no tension and drama as with the Kid and no marriages to movie stars. In St. Louis there were no scandals and there was no spotlight. He lived in a neighborhood and kids would ride by on their bikes hoping to see him out cutting his lawn. Wait – one the best and highest paid players of his time cutting his own lawn and interacting with kids in the neighborhood? That’s Stan the Man. He was almost universally loved and respected with three exceptions noted by the author who had to look hard to find any at all: one kid who didn’t get an autograph, one writer, and Joe Garagiola. I immersed myself in baseball as a kid near the end of Musial’s career on the field, so I loved the subject matter of this book. It is for baseball fans of a certain era. George Vecsey wrote a meandering biography that demonstrated Musial’s straight-laced faith-driven life to a fault. There were definitely moments when I would have liked less detail and more baseball. Therefore only 4 stars.

[Ken Heard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a biography of St. Louis Cardinals' outfielder and first baseman Stan Musial as much as it is vignette of his life shown in a collection of essays and columns. Vecsey, who has had one of the more amazing careers as a sports writer, focuses a lot on Musial's home town, his friends, his golden attitude toward the Cardinals' organization and his kindness.

That's not to say he doesn't ignore some of Musial's perceived issues. Vecsey includes how Musial treated some who slighted him or his friends and his opinions on some of his contract negotiations. Much of the final chapters are devoted to Musial and his relationship with author James Michener and with the Pope after he went to Poland and his reaction to those who thought those were odd.

Vecsey does make a case for Musial to be considered one of the best baseball players of all time.

This isn't a book to be read in one sitting; it's not a biography. Instead, I read this in bits and pieces over a period of time while reading lighter fiction. It offers a great perspective of one of baseball's finest and an American icon.

[Luke Koran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Behold, a recent biography of one of professional baseball’s Big Three from the 1940s, and when compared to fellow members Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams, this star surely has unjustifiably flown under the radar in nearly all respect. In “Stan Musial: An American Life” by George Vecsey, Stan the Man thankfully receives another treatment in documenting his life and legacy to the world of baseball, and beyond. While accepting the subject’s lack of catchy headlines and playing career in a small media market, this reader still felt like the author missed out on a great opportunity to really pinpoint Musial’s greatness on the playing field as well as his reputation as an upstanding human being. Numerous times there are entire pages devoted to other people from Musial’s life rather than space that could have expanded on Stan’s persona. I was still pleased to learn more about this under-reported star from a cherished era of baseball history, but prepare yourself for those moments when you had wished that more pages and insights on Stan Musial had been bestowed upon the reader.

[CallahansBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

He wasn’t as Broadway as Mickey Mantle. Didn’t have to carry the burden of a nation’s bigotry like Jackie Robinson and he didn’t wrap himself in the bristly hair shirt of a superhuman antihero like Ted Williams.

Stan Musial was just a guy whose story you’ll love hearing.

A high school teammate of Ken Griffey Jr.’s grandpa Buddy, Musial and the youngest Griffey were born on the same day 49 years apart. Wiki cites Bill James being cheeky, calling Griffey, Jr. “the second best left-hand hitting centerfielder ever born on November 21st in Donora, Pennsylvania.” It’s only funny cause it’s true.

A role model for Polish-Americans. Some alleged how-about-it with Angie Dickinson. Married for over 70 years. Navy man in the war. Anti-smoking advocate in the ‘50s.

Struck out just 696 times in his life. It’s apples and oranges, but that’s compared to 1,840 times for Derek Jeter or 1,244 for Paul Molitor, if you like.

Read about Stan Musial. His is a life worth learning and his story is in excellent hands with George Vecsey, an ancient sportswriter who writes with an earnestness devoid of the old man cynicism that can creep into works around baseball’s golden era.

It’s an appropriate voice for a story about an ordinary guy’s extraordinary life.

[Stanley Cramer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Splendid

Back in the late 1980’s I had the opportunity to work between periods of a Philadelphia Flyers game for Pat Croce owned Sports Physical Therapy. It was just for one game. I was a lifetime Flyers fan and thought how great it would be to meet some players. It was great meeting Brian Propp and Tim Kerr, but overall, I was left feeling a bit flat. Hockey players I was told were a bit deadpan, matter-of-fact. I realized that maybe it wasn’t such a great thing to see the real side of our purported heroes.
Being named Stan, I was often called “Stan the Man”. I’ve always enjoyed that. Now I’m Stan the Man “Unusual” for reasons that won’t be noted. Like meeting the Flyers, getting to know some of Musial’s personal side left me a bit flat. Vecsey’s writing is excellent conveying fans perceptions as well as Musial’s own musings. A great sports book that I highly recommend. I’m a bit disappointed about having some of the luster brushed away from “The Man”.

[Curtis Edmonds · Rating 4 out of 5]

STAN MUSIAL: AN AMERICAN LIFE is as flat as a baseball card, and not nearly as colorful. It is a fair biography, and a reasonably interesting read, but there is no poetry to Musial’s bland excellence, no drama in his struggles, no broad strokes of heroism in his consistent grace. You will learn far more about Musial the restaurant-owner than possibly anything else.

The explanation is that Musial gets short shrift because he did not play in New York, which is willfully dumb (and refuted in the book). The only compelling part of the story is Musial’s early life and hard times, which is instructive but not fascinating.

This is not a bad book, and anyone who loves baseball and has a soul will at least appreciate it. (Cardinals fans will like it too.) But the book is less impressive and interesting than it thinks it is.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Should we be judging a biography by the quality of research and depth, or by the quality of the life of the individual it is covering?

I guess it really should be a mixture of both. That’s what I have rated here. By all accounts that I have read and now throughout this biography, it is clear that Stan Musial, although an amazing baseball player, was not an exciting dude.

Nice to a fault and helpful to others, great qualities in a human, is lacking in entertainment for a biography.

What I found interesting was the continual perception by others outside of Musial that he always got the short end of the stick. Whether it was comparisons to Mantle and DiMaggio or his final celebration at Busch, it was never enough for others.

It is really unclear if he felt that way, but based on the way he lived his life, I would doubt it. He was just happy to be there.

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

No question about it, Stan "The Man" Musial was one of the greats to ever have played the game. He simply played the game without all the fanfare that is missing in today's stars. A simple man, a religious man, a family man, an never ending entertainer, and how could he ever hit! He walked with Presidents, Popes, but it was his relationship with the Big Three that made this work. Williams, DiMaggio & Musial. Baseball may never see the likes of them. Donora, Pennsylvania will remain with a reader far after the final page. A piece of Americana that will never be seen again. The birthplace of not only Stan but Ken Griffey, Sr and Jr and their dad, Buddy is baseball rich.

His Polish ancestry was very moving as was his visit to the mother country with James Michner was totally fascinating. Stan Musial was every man's man seldom saying anything harsh about anyone, even with just cause, i. e. Joe Garagiola. Mickey Mantle's idol was "Stan The Man" and with that I rest my case. More than a sports book more of man who had qualities to be admired till eternity.
MEW-shill the Polish way! Whaddayasay-whaddayyasay!!!!!!!

[Russ Bertetta · Rating 3 out of 5]

This didn't necessarily revolve around Stan's baseball career although, of course, it was a central part of the biography. It really revolved around Stan, the man, which I liked better than just a series of stories about his baseball career year by year. I enjoyed the comparisons with Ted Williams (yeah) and Joe DiMaggio (boo) both as a player and a person. I enjoyed reading about his relationship with James Michener and his meeting with Pope John PaulII.
My main criticism of the book was that it was just a bit too fawning in Vecsey's portrait of Musial. He really glosses over whatever shortcomings he may have had. He was a man of his times, he had flaws but over-all he comes across as a good man-something that we need in today's world.

[Dick Hamilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would compare this book, in some respects, to the movie Citizen Kane. In the movie, we have the reporter who tries to find the real Charles Foster Kane and the meaning of his last word, Rosebud. In the book, the author appears to search for the real Stan Musial. By all appearances, Mr. Musial appears to have been a very private man and, since his playing career was not in a media capital such as New York, he was somewhat overshadowed by players of perhaps lesser ability. I felt that the book would have benefitted with much more detail on his playing career, this was not given enough attention. Also, there are only so many times we should read many different people saying Musial was a great guy.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ehhh...I don't know. Seriously, I really don't know. It was an interesting book about one of the most under-rated Hall of Famers of all time, but Vecsey was clearly a super-fan of Musial which took away from the overall experience slightly. The book's organization was also slightly out of chronological order at times which was annoying. If you're a huge Cardinals fan then this should be read, but if you're looking for simply a historical baseball read then find something else written about Musial. Musial deserves to be celebrated for what he contributed to the game of baseball so please read some type of biography of his.

[Mark Baier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well worth reading....

This was my first biography of Musial. And yes, it does read a little like a long series of sports columns, but that really doesn't diminish this book. It's a thoughtful, warm story about one of baseball's greatest. While Musial was at the end of his career when I started following baseball, I never realized how great he was or how he compared to the greatest. This is a book worth reading about a man and player who was greater than we remember.

[Tom Oneil · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a tribute to Stan Musial. It is not hard hitting but full of wonderful and sometimes humorous anecdotes. Vecsey was a fan and that comes through loud and clear. If you are looking for investigative journalism. this is not the book for you. On the other hand if like me you knew little of Stan's life before and after his baseball career, this book is very poignant and revealing. It is a very nice winter read while we wait for pitchers and catchers to report for spring training.