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Fans Forum: Stan will always be 'The Man'
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Dear Sports Editor Marc Nesseler: A letter that I never wrote, about Stan Musial: The news came on Saturday night. Now it is too late to write that letter to my only hero: Stan the Man Musial.I was afraid some young staffer would read it and laugh at the "schmaltziness" of it... How I cried when I came home from school on Tuesday May 13,1958, to a note from Dad: Stan did it today. "It" was his 3,000th base hit, a pinch hit double to left in the seventh off Moe Drabowsky at Wrigley. Or the tears I shed as I recorded his retirement ceremonies on my first tape recorder that Sunday Sept. 29, 1963 And the dislike I felt for Gary Kolb who simply pinch-ran for him after his last base hit that day. Or the dislike I felt for manager Solly Hemus for benching him so much an entire season - only to have Stan come back and hit over .300 the next year. Or the chills I felt as he walked by me after a game in 1978 as I stood frozen in that spot unable to call out to get his attention. Or the pride I feel whenever I re-read his biography, especially the part about rejecting the Mexican League offers to remain with the Cardinals and the cheapest owner in baseball, Sam Breadon, out of loyalty. And the smiles when I think of his accomplishments, one of which has never been duplicated: he hit a home run on his first at-bat after becoming a grandfather. It was number 401 and happened at Forbes Field after son Dickie and wife had their first child. But most of all, I feel so much gratitude for being able to grow up during his playing days and seeing him play at old Busch Stadium on Grand and Dodier, at Wrigley, and at Milwaukee's County Stadium, where he was 2-for-4 off Warren Spahn that day. And to be able to say I have a real hero: Stan the Man Musial. Yes, "here stands baseball's perfect warrior, here stands baseball's perfect knight." Thanks for the memories Stan. Sorry I'm a bit late, but thank you for being The Man in every way. Judy Patsch, Rock Island 
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Today is Friday, May 24, the 144th day of 2013. There are 221 days left in the year.
1863 -- 150 years ago: A military escort will be at the square at 9 a.m. tomorrow forthe funeral of Lieut. Joseph Eaton. The county judge is absent in Chicago, which willaccount for his not being in the procession.
1888 -- 125 years ago: Rock Island's City Council last night appropriated $95,000 forexpenses for the 1888 and 1889 fiscal year.
1913 -- 100 years ago: Mrs. F.W. Reimers last night was re-elected president of the RockIsland Musical Club at a meeting in the New Harper Hotel.
1938 -- 75 years ago: Seven members of Boy Scout Troop 21 got their Eagle badges lastnight. They were Ralph Hurt, Robert Nelson, Howard Schersten, Cecil Nelson, RobertFryxell, Clarence Stone and Rollin Hurt.
1963 -- 50 years ago: Mayor Morris Muhleman has resorted to a form letter in an effort toanswer objections to the wheel tax increase. "It was my hope that I could, in some way,restore the faith of the citizens in our city. In order to do this I knew I must face the factthat I would become very unpopular."All they are trying to do is protect the citizensproperty and build their town.
1988 -- 25 years ago: RICCA, the Rock Island County Council on Addictions, inconjunction with the Quad City Downs, will hold its annual "Night at the Races" June 2.The benefit "Night at the Races" will raise funds locally to assist in maintaining the twohalfway houses, New Hope Lodge (for women) and Beacon House (for men).
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