As noted by George Vecsey in the Times, today is Stan Musial’s birthday. He turns 90.
And as I can recall from my childhood, it is also Ken Griffey Jr.’s birthday. He turns 41.
Both men were born on November 21st, and both were born in Donora, Pennsylvania — though Stan Musial was born in the year 1920 and Griffey in 1969.
Musial hit .331 for his career and got on-base .417, with 475 home runs and 725 doubles; Griffey hit .284 and got on-base .370, with 630 home runs and 524 doubles. Musial was 127.8 wins above replacement for his career; Griffey was 78.5 wins above replacement.
So Ken Griffey Jr., despite playing center field and hitting 630 home runs, is not the best player with his own birthday, nor is he the best player from his own hometown.
