Records

[bbcardzman]

Let’s not leave out Stan Musial, who had 5 homers in a doubleheader on May 2, 1954. He went 4-for-4 in the first game with three homers, including the game-winner, a three-run shot off Jim Hearn, and 2-for-4 in the second game with two more homers (unfortunately the Cardinals lost that one).

Statistically speaking in his 22 year career, he was probably the greatest hitter ever. Musial retired with a .331 career batting average and is fourth on the all-time hits list. In 1948 he finished with a .376 average and 131 RBI. He was one home run shy off the Triple Crown with 39, but led the league in every significant batting category: hits (230), total bases (429), doubles (46), triples (18), runs (135), on-base percentage (.450), and slugging (.702) He also had four games where he had five hits that year.

Here’s a few more records:
Played in a record 24 consecutive All-Star Games and hit an All-Star record six home runs.
Set a National League record for most years (17) and most consecutive years (16) batting .300 or better (50 or more games).
His 22 years as a Cardinal, covering 3,026 games, established an N.L. record for most seasons with one club.
Established major league records for most seasons leading his league in doubles (eight) and in extra-base hits (seven).
Holds National League marks for most seasons leading the league in runs scored (five), in triples (five) and in fewest strikeouts (four).