Busch page 10

Busch page 10 by ric gustafson


By the start of the 1960's, Gussie Busch was on top of the world. He had four plants and one about to open in Houston Texas producing at top capacity. As a close friend to President Truman and future President Lyndon Johnson, Gussie was now steeped into politics. At his compound outside St Petersburg Florida, he had a fleet of yachts and fishing boats at his disposal.
The only glitch in Gussie's life at the present were the St Louis Cardinals. Under his ownership, the team had not won a pennant and were on their sixth manager. In 1964 as Gussie was discussing a new stadium idea with the city, The Cardinals under the helm of Johnny Keane won the World Series beating the New York Yankees in seven games.
On December 15 1964 at exactly 10:34 am, Gussie and other brewery officers walked from their offices at 721 Pestalozzi Street up the block to the bottling plant. At 10:34, Gussie was handed a silver mallet and a plug. He plugged the tenth millionth barrel and then climbed aboard the historic beer wagon. The wagon pulled up to their offices where the mayor and other officials were gathered.
Now at the age of sixty five, Gussie Busch was indeed the King of Beer.


research help: ' Bitter Brew' by William Knoedelseder


Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric