St. Louis Cardinal Stan “The Man” Musial Dies At 92

One of the most under rated superstars of baseball has died at the age of 92, Stan "The Man" Musial.  He died at his home Saturday night.

He was a Hall of Famer outfielder and first baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals.  He is so well liked in St. Louis, they have two statues at Busch stadium.  He went to 24 All Star games, tied for second most and 1 less than Hank Aaron.  He was a hitting machine finishing with 3,630 hits and remarkably he had 1,815 at home and 1,815 on the road.  He got a hit on his final swing of his career, a single past rookie Pete Rose.  Rose would break Stan's hit record some 18 years later.

Stan won three World Series titles with the Cardinals, 7 NL batting titles and MVP 3 times.  He held 55 records when he retired in 1963.  However with his passing, we keep hearing about what a great man, Stan "The Man" was.

After enduring the Manti Te'o and Lance Armstrong stories all week, it's nice to hear a sports story about someone who was loved and adored by so many.  It's too bad it takes a death, for it to be brought up again.  He was co-owner of a steakhouse in St. Louis.  He would sign autographs there until everyone left.  He was a member of the Hall of Fame Veterans Committee.  After the Vets panel would vote, he would often pull out his harmonica and play "Take Me Out To The Ballgame."

In a sports world where players will leave for the biggest contract, Stan turned down bigger offers and played his entire career with the Cardinals.  Ever the humble man, he never said anything bad about all the money the players make today.  Stan said that they had more fun in his day.  He didn't date actresses, have disagreements with other players or umpires.  In fact, the first Musial statue is inscribed with "Here stands baseballs perfect warrior. Here stands baseballs perfect knight."

Stan "The Man" Musial passed at his home in Ladue surrounded by his family according to a news release by the Cardinals.  The team was informed by Stan's son in law, Dave Edmonds.  Stan "The Man" Musial dead at the age of 92.