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Today we welcome George Curcio with an interesting essay that falls nicely into my new series I’m calling “But Did You Know That…” George shares with us some interesting information about the friendship between two well-known teammates from the Cardinals’ 1946 World Series championship season, Stan Musial and Joe Garagiola. The story has, to put it mildly, a rather unexpected ending… -GL 

Stan Musial and Joe Garagiola Were Teammates and Friends,

But Did You Know That…

Stan Musial and Joe Garagiola were teammates in 1946, the year that the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Red Sox in the World Series, which was made famous by Enos Slaughter’s “Mad Dash” in Game Seven, as Johnny Pesky momentarily held the ball.

That’s right! 1946 was a truly magical year for the Cardinals and for two of its future legends, Stan Musial and Joe Garagiola. Musial, already a seasoned player by then, had a stellar season with a .365 batting average, 16 home runs, and 103 RBIs, earning him the National League’s Most Valuable Player award. Garagiola, on the other hand, was a fresh-faced rookie who came out swinging in the postseason, hitting an impressive .316 with four RBIs in the World Series.

(In the featured photo above, we see Stan and Joe together, sharing a laugh with their great friend, Yogi Berra)

The Cardinals, led by the dynamic duo of Musial and Garagiola, captured a four-games to-three victory in the classic 1946 World Series, called by some the most exciting World Series in baseball history. Garagiola’s performance, although brief, was a bright spot for the young player, and it marked the beginning of a long and successful career, both on and off the field.

Musial, of course, went on to become one of the greatest hitters of all time, finishing his Hall of Fame career with a .331 average, 3,630 hits, 475 home runs, 1951 RBIs, .417 on-base percentage, .559 slugging average, 159 OPS+, and three National League MVP awards. Garagiola, while not achieving the same level of statistical success, became a beloved broadcaster and author, known for his wit and humor.

The 1946 season remains a cherished memory for St. Louis Cardinals fans, and the story of Stan Musial and Joe Garagiola is a testament to the power of hard work, dedication, and a little bit of rookie magic. Despite their contrasting personalities (Musial, reserved and focused; Garagiola, jovial and outgoing), they shared a deep respect for each other’s talents and work ethic. This set the foundation for their long-lasting friendship.

Shortly after winning the World Series, Musial decided to move to St. Louis from his birthplace of Donora, Pennsylvania, saying in 1950: 

“I think it’s wise for a baseball player to make his home where he’s made his reputation. I always worried about my baseball career, about getting hurt, and I wanted a business to fall back on.”

Musial also thought of his future, and what would happen if an injury ended his major-league career.  He bought into a partnership of an existing restaurant owned by Julius “Biggie” Garagnani.  The name of the restaurant was changed to “Stan Musial and Biggie’s Steak House.” Capitalizing on Musial’s fame, the restaurant became incredibly successful, increasing its worth annually through the next decade.

The 1960s saw Musial rise as an icon in St. Louis, buoyed by his demeanor.  For baseball fans of St. Louis, Musial was a placid and consistent person who could always be counted on to calmly negotiate any situation.  At the same time, Garagiola was establishing himself as a broadcaster, eventually using his personality to springboard to appearing on and hosting game shows, as well as being a co-host on NBC’s “The Today Show.”

The Fatal Mistake:

Stan and Joe Go Into Business Together

Having always had a cordial friendship that had started with the Cardinals, Musial and Garagiola became co-owners in 1957 of Red Bird Lanes, a bowling alley that thrived through the ensuing decades.  It also crested with the popularity of bowling in the United States.  At one point, the lanes were open 24 hours each day and offered nursery care.

But Did You Know That…

For four decades, Musial and Garagiola had developed a maintained a good friendship that included mutual admiration for each other.  Thus, it came as a major shock, to Musial above all others, when Garagiola and his wife brought a lawsuit against Musial in 1984.

As the Chicago Tribune reported on April 16, 1986, “Garagiola and his wife, Audrie, filed suit concerning a bowling alley the former teammates own jointly in south St. Louis.

“The Garagiolas own a one-third interest in Red Bird Lanes and two holding companies. The suit alleges Stan Musial`s son, Richard Musial, and John Garagnani received payments from the bowling alley without the knowledge of the Garagiolas.” (1)

John Garagnani was the son of “Biggie.” who had died from a heart attack in June 1967.  As might be expected, Musial took offense at Garagiola’s filing of the suit, which was eventually settled out of court with an agreement of never publicly revealing any details.

“I don’t believe they ever spoke again…”

The only public display of the lawsuit’s corrosive effect on their relationship was Game Three of the 2006 World Series between the Cardinals and Detroit Tigers.  Musial had been planning to throw the opening pitch before the game on Tuesday, October 24.  Musial learned on Tuesday morning that a PR staffer had arranged for Garagiola to catch the pitch, and Musial canceled.

Sportswriter and author George Vecsey once quoted Joe Garagiola as saying this about the feud:

“When I was writing the Stan Musial biography in 2007-8, Joe talked, off the record, about the friendship gone bad over a mutual investment in a bowling alley, run by surrogates. The ultimate headline in the Post-Dispatch was: ‘Stan and Joe: Business Splits Old Friends.’ I don’t believe they ever spoke again.

For my Musial biography, Garagiola – way off the record – told me sweet stories about Musial, their car rides, their early days when it all was good. His loving insights enrich my book. I sent him a copy and one day after a siege of bad health he rang me and, nearly sobbing, thanked me for being fair to him – ‘and to Stan.’ “(2)

The commemoration of the World Series the Cardinals had won sixty years earlier was obviated by a more recent, more unpleasant memory.  Two beloved icons of that championship team went to their graves harboring resentment rather than respect. 

George Curcio

Quote (1): Chicago Tribune, April 16, 1986

Quote (2) George Vecsey column, March 24, 2016