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Thursday, October 26, 2006

Did Stan Musial refuse to throw a first pitch to Joe Garagiola?

Reporting on ceremonial first pitches today, Joel Sherman says:
  • "The only reason Stan Musial has not been involved on the field is that he is 86 years old and the weather has been horrible."
But, Mike and Chris earlier today (on WFAN) made reference to Stan Musial's refusal to throw a first pitch to Joe Garagiola. Mike said they could've gotten Musial out onto the field even if he were in poor health if he'd wanted to throw a first pitch. They said nothing further on the subject, so I've spent awhile trying to find out more about this with no luck so far. I don't know if they were referring to a ceremonial appearance this year or an earlier year. Was Musial approached to do it this year and offered no one other than Garagiola to catch? Sherman's NY Post article today about first pitches in St. Louis only says:
  • "Major League Baseball has to approve those who throw first pitches." and
  • "Bruce Sutter was expected to throw out the first pitch last night, before World Series Game 4 was called due to rain, joining other St. Louis luminaries from the past who have thrown out first pitches this postseason - Bob Gibson, Lou Brock, Whitey Herzog, Red Schoendienst, Mike Shannon and even Ozzie Smith, who has been openly feuding with Cardinals manager Tony La Russa for years. The only reason Stan Musial has not been involved on the field is that he is 86 years old and the weather has been horrible."
YES! Update: It's true, according to the NY Daily News, Musial has a long-standing grudge with Garagiola over a business deal. Musial will throw with someone else catching. (Items from Joel Sherman's NY Post column, 10/26/06)

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