Stan Musial Biography

Fast Facts

• Two statues of him stand outside the Cardinals' Busch Stadium in St․ Louis
• President Obama awarded him the Medal of Freedom in 2011
• Was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969
• As a child, he competed in gymnastics at a Polish sports club and played baseball with balls his mother sewed for him out of rags and string
• Started his career as a left-handed pitcher, but after an injury to his left shoulder, his manager suggested he turn to hitting
• Though his high school didn't have a baseball team, he excelled in American Legion play
• Quote: "Unless you give it all you've got, there isn't any sense in playing․"
• Known as a first baseman for the St․ Louis Cardinals
• Batted from an unusual stance that was described as a corkscrew
• Enjoyed playing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" on his harmonica