Classic SI Photos of Stan Musial

Stan Musial made his major league debut on Sept. 17, 1941. He went on to win seven National League batting crowns, three MVP awards and helped the St. Louis Cardinals capture three World Series championships. Musial spent his entire 22-year career with the Cards and made the All-Star team 24 times — baseball held two All-Star games each summer for a few seasons. One of the greatest players in the history of baseball, Musial died at the age of 92 in 2013. For the 75th anniversary of his big league debut, we present these classic SI photos of "Stan the Man."

Classic SI Photos of Stan Musial

Mark Kauffman

Stan Musial bats during spring training for the St. Louis Cardinals on March 5, 1955 at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Mark Kauffman

Stan Musial dives for a ball during spring training for the St. Louis Cardinals on March 5, 1955 at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Mark Kauffman

Bill Virdon, Harry Elliott, Rip Repulski, Wally Moon and Stan Musial appear on the March 5, 1956 cover of Sports Illustrated.

John G. Zimmerman

Stan Musial sits in the dugout with teammates during spring training for the St. Louis Cardinals on March 1, 1957 at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, Fla.

John G. Zimmerman

Stan Musial bats as catcher Ed Bailey watches the pitch come in from Johnny Klippstein during the St. Louis Cardinals game against the Cincinnati Reds on April 16, 1957 at Crosley Field in Cincinnati.

John G. Zimmerman

Stan Musial and Ted Williams appear on the July 8, 1957 cover of Sports Illustrated.

Herb Scharfman

Stan Musial and Mickey Mantle pose together before the MLB All-Star Game on July 13, 1960 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, N.Y.

Neil Leifer

Vin Scully interviews Stan Musial in his final season before the St. Louis Cardinals game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 22, 1963 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

Neil Leifer

Stan Musial smiles after accepting an award on "Stan Musial Night" before the St. Louis Cardinals game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 22, 1963 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

Neil Leifer

Stan Musial bats during the St. Louis Cardinals game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sept. 16, 1963 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

Neil Leifer

Stan Musial takes a lead from third base during the St. Louis Cardinals game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sept. 16, 1963 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

Chuck Solomon

Ralph Kiner, Jim Palmer, Stan Musial, Frank Robinson and Yogi Berra attend the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Aug. 1, 1993 in Cooperstown, N.Y.

John Iacono

Bob Gibson, Stan Musial, Red Schoendienst and Lou Brock prepare to throw out ceremonial first pitches before the St. Louis Cardinals spring training game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on March 2, 1996 at Al Lang Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Al Tielemans

Stan Musial and Hank applaud Pete Rose during the MLB All Century Team ceremony before Game 2 of the World Series between the Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees on Oct. 24, 1999 at Turner Field in Atlanta.

Walter Iooss Jr

Stan Musial poses for a portrait on May 16, 2001 in Jupiter, Fla.

David Bergman

President Barack Obama shakes hands as he receives a baseball from Stan Musial before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch for the MLB All-Star Game on July 14, 2009 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

David E. Klutho

Stan Musial waves to the crowd before the St. Louis Cardinals Opening Day game against the San Diego Padres on March 31, 2011 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

John Biever

Stan Musial shakes hands with St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny before Game 4 of the NLCS against the San Francisco Giants on Oct. 18, 2012 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.