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“Stan Musial Memorial Bridge” naming, gains bipartisan support

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Construction continues on the new bridge across the Mississippi River. Photo courtesy of Illinios and Missouri Department's of Transportation.

Construction continues on the new bridge across the Mississippi River. Photo courtesy of Illinios and Missouri Department’s of Transportation.

Legislation that would name the new I-70 bridge over the Mississippi River in St. Louis—which is currently being constructed and will span Missouri and Illinois—the “Stan Musial Memorial Bridge,” gained bipartisan steam as the Senate delegations from both states announced their support for the effort. The bill now has the bipartisan support of Senators Claire McCaskill, Dick Durbin, Roy Blunt, and Mark Kirk. 

“I’m thrilled to have all four of us working together to honor such a great ballplayer, and more than that, a great person,” McCaskill said. “I’m confident that once we’re successful, the ‘Stan-span’ will remind future generations of a role model and hometown hero.” 

“Stan Musial was the best ballplayer ever to wear a Cardinals uniform and one of the best ever to play the game of baseball. He was my hero when I was a boy and he remains one of my heroes to this day,” said Durbin. “On the field and off, Stan Musial was always a gentleman, always a champion. He exemplified the values of sportsmanship, discipline, hard work, grace and consistency. I am proud to be working with Senators McCaskill, Kirk and Blunt in support of this bill to name the I-70 bridge, the Stan Musial Memorial Bridge. It is a fitting honor for this American hero and the values he stood for.”

“Stan Musial was a great part of our community, our state, and the game of baseball for a long time,” said Blunt. “Naming this bridge after Stan is a way for us to ensure that his legacy lives on.”

“As both a World War II veteran and baseball great, Stan Musial leaves behind a legacy defined by commitment, kindness and hard work and I am pleased to join this bi-partisan effort to name the new I-70 bridge in his honor,” said Senator Mark Kirk. 

The senators will work to advance the bill through the Environment and Public Works Committee so it can be brought to the Senate floor.

Musial’s public viewing details released

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The Archdiocese of St. Louis announced details regarding the public visitation for Cardinals Hall of Famer Stan Musial that will take place Thursday, January 24th from 2 P.M. to 8 P.M. at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis located at 4431 Lindell Boulevard in St. Louis.

The visitation is open to the public and provides fans the opportunity to offer prayers and condolences in memory of Stan Musial. Visitors are asked to enter the Cathedral Basilica through the main doors on Lindell. The Musial family has requested that no photos be taken inside of Church and that any mementos be left at the Stan Musial Statue at Busch Stadium. Please do not bring mementos to the Cathedral Basilica.

Lindell Boulevard will remain open on Thursday, while the Noon Mass is cancelled and both Rosati-Kain High School and St. Louis the King School at the Cathedral will be closed. The St. Louis Police Department will assist with 45 degree angled parking on Lindell between Newstead and Taylor. To accommodate media coverage, the Archdiocese has set aside an area on the East side of the Cathedral Basilica Plaza. In this section only, media will be able to take photos and conduct interviews of visitors entering the Cathedral Basilica. Media may contact Angie Shelton (314.792.7101) for any further information on covering the public visitation.

Saturday’s funeral is private.

Funeral arrangements for Musial set

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Fans inspects some of the items that have been left around the Stan Musial statue outside of Busch Stadium in St. Louis on January 20, 2013. Musial died at the age of 92 in

Fans inspects some of the items that have been left around the Stan Musial statue outside of Busch Stadium in St. Louis on January 20, 2013. Musial died at the age of 92. UPI/Bill Greenblatt.

The St. Louis Cardinals announced that the family of Stan Musial has made the following funeral and public visitation arrangements for the Cardinals Hall of Famer.

A public visitation is planned for Thursday, January 24th from 2 P.M. to 8 P.M. at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis located at 4431 Lindell Boulevard in St. Louis. The public visitation is the opportunity for fans to pay their respects.

The funeral mass will be held at the Cathedral on Saturday, January 26th at 11 A.M. Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York and long-time friend of the Musial family, will join the Robert J. Carlson, Archbishop of St. Louis, and Bishop Richard Stika in celebrating the Mass.

Immediately following the mass, the funeral procession will make its way to Busch Stadium where the family will lay a wreath at the base of the statute of Stan Musial as part of a prayer ceremony before proceeding to a private burial. Additional details, including the procession route, will be provided at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Covenant House or charity of the fan’s choice in the name of Stan Musial. The Cardinals have set up a memorial site around the Musial Statute at Gate 3 at Busch Stadium, which will remain in place until a date yet determined. The team has also set up a web page (cardinals.com/stan) to pay tribute to Stan and allow fans to offer condolences to the family.

Stan Musial dead at 92

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Former St. Louis Cardinals slugger and member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame Stan Musial, waves to fans during Stan Musial Day at Busch Stadium on October 2, 2010, in St. Louis. UPI/Bill Greenblatt/FILES

Former St. Louis Cardinals slugger and member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame Stan Musial, waves to fans during Stan Musial Day at Busch Stadium on October 2, 2010, in St. Louis. UPI/Bill Greenblatt/FILES

Cardinals nations is mourning the death of Cardinals Hall of Famer Stan Musial at the age of 92. Musial, who played his entire 22-year major league career (1941-63) for the Cardinals, died Saturday evening at his home in Ladue surrounded by his family.

“We have lost the most beloved member of the Cardinals family,” said William DeWitt Jr., Chairman of the St. Louis Cardinals. “Stan Musial was the greatest player in Cardinals history and one of the best players in the history of baseball.” “The entire Cardinals organization extends its sincere condolences to Stan’s family, including his children Richard, Gerry, Janet and Jean, as well as his eleven grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren,” DeWitt said. “We join fans everywhere in mourning the loss of our dear friend and reflect on how fortunate we all are to have known ‘Stan the Man’.”

Musial was the first player in Cardinals history to have his uniform number retired, and he was a first-ballot Hall of Fame selection in 1969, being named on 93 percent of the ballots.

A three-time National League MVP (1943, 1946 and 1948) and winner of seven NL batting titles, Musial played in 24 All-Star Games (from 1959-62, Major League Baseball held two All-Star Games each season) and finished his career with a .331 batting average. At the time of his retirement, Musial stood as the National League’s all-time career record holder in games (3,026), runs scored (1,949), hits (3,630), doubles (725) and runs batted in (1,951) among other records, and he was still ranked among the top 10 in those categories in 2012.

Musial, who was born in Donora, Pennsylvania, signed with the Cardinals in 1938 and made his major league debut with the team in 1941. Musial was a member of the Cardinals teams that won the World Series in 1942, 1944 and 1946. He missed the entire 1945 season to serve in the United States Navy during World War II.

Musial was named a Cardinals’ vice president at the end of his playing career in 1963 and he served in that capacity for more than 25 years. In 1967, Stan served as the general manager of the Cardinals team that defeated the Boston Red Sox to win the World Series.

Musial’s wife of 71 years, the former Lillian “Lil” Labash, passed away in May 2012.

The Cardinals have set up a memorial site around the Musial Statute at Gate 3 at Busch Stadium, which will remain in place until a date yet determined. The team has also set up a web page to pay tribute to Stan and allow fans to offer condolences to the family.

For Pujols, Stan is still “The Man”

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One of 20 billboards in So. Cal.

Albert Pujols had a request for the media when he played in St. Louis. Do not refer to him as “El Hombre.” It’s a touchy subject for Pujols who has built a strong relationship with Stan “The Man” Musial over the years. “I still have the same respect for him as I had, not just for what he’s done in baseball but for what he did for his country,” Pujols said. “That’s something you have to appreciate.”

So, as you can imagine, Pujols wasn’t too pleased with his new team’s marketing campaign that features 20 billboards in Southern California depicting Pujols with the words “El Hombre,” alongside. The Los Angeles Angels admit they didn’t consult with Pujols on the marketing idea, which was planned shortly after the team signed Pujols to it’s 10 year, $250 million contract. “Like I say, I haven’t talked to them, but I prefer not to use ,” Pujols said Wednesday.

The team does not plan to take down any of the billboards.

Musial is still “The Man” according to fans (VIDEO)

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Stan Musial is still “The Man.” The 90-year-old Hall of Famer who earlier this year was presented with the Medal of Freedom in a White House ceremony, was the fan’s choice as winner of the Midsummer Classics.

Musial’s 12th-inning walk-off homer to win the 1955 game for the National League, was picked as the greatest memory in the history of the All Star Game. Stan The Man’s 24 all star appearances are the most ever, so are his six home runs in All Star Games.

Here is the video that MLB put together for fans to vote on.

Musial to receive Presidential Medal of Freedom on Tuesday

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President Barack Obama will award Stan Musial the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Tuesday, February 15, in a ceremony scheduled to take place at 12:30 Central time in the East Room of the White House.

Fans can tune in to watch at www.whitehouse.gov as Musial will be one of fifteen recipients of the medal and one of two sports icons as Boston Celtics’ great Bill Russell will join him as a recipient. Others receiving the award include President George H.W. Bush, Chancellor Angela Merkel, Congressman John Lewis, John H. Adams, Maya Angelou, Warren Buffett, Jasper Johns, Gerda Weissmann Klein, Dr. Tom Little, Yo-Yo Ma, Sylvia Mendez, Jean Kennedy Smith and John J. Sweeney.

The Medal of Freedom is the Nation’s highest civilian honor and is given to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors. Though individuals may be honored for singular acts of momentous import, it is generally offered for a lifetime of service or at the conclusion of a distinguished career.

The Medal of Freedom ranks second only to the Medal of Honor, the Nation’s highest military award, and was established in 1945 by President Harry S. Truman to honor service during World War II. The medal was reestablished in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy.

Musial joins other baseball greats who have been awarded the Medal of Freedom including Hank Aaron (2005), Roberto Clemente (2003), Joe Dimaggio (1977), Buck O’Neil (2006), Frank Robinson (2005), Jackie Robinson (1984) and Ted Williams (1991).