RetroSimba

In 1963, his final season as a player, Stan Musial went on a tear in May that began with a bases-loaded double and ended with one of the most bizarre RBI in his distinguished Cardinals career.

Musial, 42, had 23 RBI in 26 games in May 1963. Those were the most RBI he produced in a month since he had 27 in June 1957. He also hit seven home runs in May 1963. That represented his best output in a month since he clubbed seven in August 1957.

On May 2, his first game played in the month, Musial hit a two-out, three-run double off Cubs reliever Don Elston in the seventh, increasing the St. Louis lead from 1-0 to 4-0 in a game the Cardinals won, 4-3. Boxscore

In late May, Cardinals manager Johnny Keane moved Musial into the cleanup spot. In seven games from May 22 through May 31, Musial had nine RBI and hit .400 (12-for-30) while batting fourth.

On May 31, Musial was credited with an unusual game-winning RBI against the Giants at St. Louis.

In the bottom of the ninth, with the score 5-5, the Cardinals loaded the bases with none out. Giants manager Al Dark brought in left-hander Billy Pierce to face Musial.

With the infield playing in for a play at the plate, Musial hit a pop fly to the right of the second base bag.

“Rookie second baseman Cap Peterson looked about as Willie Mays charged in from his shallow center field spot and speedy Felipe Alou raced in from right field,” The Sporting News reported. “The ball fell among the befuddled trio. The play was ruled an infield fly. Thus, Musial was out, but Curt Flood, who had been on third base, roared home when the ball hit the ground and (Musial) was credited with the strangest of his 1,921 big-league RBI at that point.

“Mays came closest to getting the ball. He tried to scoop it up for a throw home, but the ball bounced away from him. Then in disgust Willie kicked his glove about 30 feet.”

With the 6-5 victory, Boxscore the Cardinals climbed into second place in the National League, two games behind the defending champion Giants. Boxscore

“In May, reinstated in the cleanup spot, (Musial) helped pull the Cards up by their bootstraps,” The Sporting News concluded.

Musial began June the same way he started May. He drove in three runs on June 1 in the Cardinals’ 7-4 victory over the Giants. Boxscore The three RBI gave Musial 1,924 for his career, moving him ahead of Jimmie Foxx for No. 3 on the all-time list. Babe Ruth then was first at 2,200 and Lou Gehrig second at 1,992.

Limited to 17 games in June because of a leg injury, Musial hit .311 for the month but had no home runs in 45 at-bats and drove in six runs.

After a subpar July and August, Musial finished strong in September, batting .299 for the month, with three home runs and 12 RBI.