PHOENIX — The day Stan Musial had two hits in the same inning to leap ahead of Ty Cobb and into sole position of the all-time lead in total bases, he said he had not “paid much attention” to that record.
“But my friends tell me it will eventually be the one I will prize the most,” Musial said, according to reports at the time.
It was one that continued to define consistent excellence, became a signature statistic for an elite and complete hitter, and it had staying power.
For 60 years, ever since June 1962, Musial’s 6,134 total bases ranked first or second all-time in career total bases, surpassed only by Hank Aaron (6,856).