Stan "The Man" Musial

A Hero Is Born

Nov 21, 1920

[baseballhall.org](baseballhall.org)Stan "The Man" Musial was born on November 21st,1920. He was born Stanley Frank Musial to a Polish immigrant father and a mother whose parents were immigrants from Czechoslovakia. He was born in a small mill town about 25 miles south of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania called Donora.

True Love

May 25, 1940

[sabr.org](sabr.org)On May 25th, 1940, Stan married Lillian LaBash. He met "Li" in his last year of high school. They would go on to have four children.

Major League Player

Sep 17, 1941

[baseball-almanac.com](baseball-almanac.com)On September 17th, 1941, Stan appeared in his first Major League Baseball game for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was only 20 years old. He would help the Cardinals beat the Boston Braves.

World Champion

Oct 5, 1942

[baseballhall.org](baseball.org)Stan earned the position of left fielder for the 1942 season. His big hitting at the plate helped the Cardinals win the World Series on October 5th, 1942. Stan would go on to win 2 more as a player and 1 as a manager. All of them were as a St. Louis Cardinal.

Serving His Country

Jan 22, 1945

[sabr.org](sabr.org)On January 22nd, 1945, Stan decided to enlist in the United States Navy and serve his country during a time of war. He mostly played baseball on Navy baseball teams and did not see combat. On March 1st, 1946, Stan was honorably discharged.

1st and Best

Jul 11, 1948

[sabr.org](sabr org)Stan came back to Major League Baseball playing first base because of an injury. It was supposed to be temporary but he liked it and played the position for the rest of his years as a player. During this time, Stan dominated the home plate with his lefty batting stance and swing. In 1948, he had his best season at bat and almost won the Triple Crown but missed it by 1 home run.

Retiring All-Star

Sep 29, 1963

[stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com](stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com)Stan "The Man" retired as a player on September 29th, 1963 from the St. Louis Cardinals. His number, 6, was the first jersey number to be retired by the Cardinals. Stan's career held 17 major league records, 29 National League marks, and 9 All-Star game records all with the Cardinals.

Baseball's Perfect Knight

Aug 4, 1968

[stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com](stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com)A statue of Stan "The Man" Musial was made by Carl Mose for Busch Stadium. On August 4th, 1968, the statue was dedicated at the stadium. The baseball commissioner, Ford Frick, gave a speech about Stan that included this now famous quote, "Here stands baseball's perfect warrior, here stands baseball's perfect knight."

Hall of Famer

Jan 29, 1969

[baseball-almanac.com](baseball-almanac.com)On January 29th, 1969, Stan was voted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. This was his first year on the ballot. He won with 317 votes out of 340 total votes.

Presidential Honoree

Feb 15, 2011

[stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com](stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com)President Barack Obama honored Stan with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on February 15th, 2011. This is the highest civilian honor in the United States. Stan was being honored with this award for his lifetime achievement and service. In his speech to Stan, President Obama said, "Stan remains to this day, an icon, untarnished; a beloved pillar of the community; a gentleman you'd want your kids to emulate."

Goodbye Stan

Jan 19, 2013

[baseball-almanac.com](baseball-almanac.com)Stan "The Man" Musial died on January 19th, 2013. He died at his home in Ladue, Missouri and was buried at Bellerive Heritage Gardens in Creve Coeur, Missouri. He was 92 years old.