Tribute Proposal: The Stan Musial Field at Busch Stadium

How does one pay tribute to great Stan Musial? Here’s one suggestion: Dedicate the playing field at Busch Stadium after Stan Musial.
Oct 18, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals former player Stan Musial (left) is driven around the field before game four of the 2012 NLCS between the St. Louis Cardinals and the San Francisco Giants at Busch Stadium. Image Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Other than additional signage around the ballpark, I don’t think this tribute would be that expensive. The ballpark can still be called Busch Stadium. There is nothing wrong with that. But the playing surface, in my opinion, should be named The Stan Musial Field.

Currently, the press box at Busch Stadium is named for both Bob Broeg and Rick Hummel, who are both inducted in the writer’s wing of the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

It’s not uncommon amongst teams to name the actual playing surface after a legend associated with their team. It happens at college basketball arenas more so than baseball stadiums.

At Rupp Arena in Lexington, the court is called Cawood’s Court. It was renamed in 2001 following the passing of legendary broadcaster Cawood Ledford. Similarly, the football field at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington is named the C.M. Newton Field.

In 2003, UCLA dedicated their court at the Pauley Pavillion as the Nell & John Wooden Court. Coach Wooden insisted that his wife’s name go first.

The same goes for Denny Crum with the Louisville Cardinals and he’s doing just fine. In 2007, the court at Freedom Hall was named for Coach Crum. The name of Denny Crum Court followed him to the KFC Yum! Center when the building opened in 2010.

At Duke University, the Cameron Indoor Stadium honors Eddie Cameron while the basketball court was dedicated as the Coach K Court in November 2000.

In lieu of dedicating the playing surface, the club could look at renaming the stadium such was what Alabama did in 1975 when they renamed Denny Stadium as Bryant-Denny Stadium. If the club were to utilize this idea, Busch Stadium would be renamed as Musial-Busch Stadium.

If it were up to me, I would rename the playing field after Stan “The Man” Musial.