Stan “The Man” Musial has long been revered as a staple to St. Louis and the Cardinals franchise alike. Boasting a career .331 average, 3,630 hits, 475 HRs, and 1,951 RBIs.
In the baseball world, he won numerous awards:
* 24 Time All Star
* 3 Time World Champion
* 3 Time NL MVP
* 1957 Lou Gehrig Memorial Award Recipient
* MLB All-Century Team
All with the St. Louis Cardinals and this is even after he served in the US Navy during World War II.
After he retired he went on to become Vice President of the Cardinals organization, was President Lyndon Johnson’s physical fitness “adviser,” and even became the Cardinals General Manager in 1967, all of this within four years of retirement from active duty on the field.
1968 the statue created in his honor was erected outside of the original Busch Stadium, was moved to the current site in 2006, and even now is a major mark once you come for a game. He was a First Ballot Hall of Famer in 1969, being voted in by 93.2% of voters. 1989 he was honored by the St. Louis Walk Of Fame. He was ranked #10 in 100 Greatest Baseball Players by The Sporting News and finished 11th in fan voting for the MLB All-Century Team.
He has been known as the greatest ambassador to the Cardinals organization to this day. In February 2011, he was even awarded the 2010 Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Yes St. Louis has long had a love affair with this man and rightfully so, he is one of the greatest talents ever to be produced. He is simply a wonderful man and there will not be another one like him.
Right now the 90 year old is still looking to add to his legacy in the 2011 Midsummer Classics Finals. The competition has been ongoing since mid June and allows the baseball fans to pick the greatest moment in All Star Game history.
How fitting is it to see Stan The Man square off against Cal Ripken, Jr. in the finals. The finals are from July 2 to July 9th, where the winner will be named by the All Star Game in Phoenix, Arizona.
Be sure to Vote Stan The Man Musial!