President Obama touched on Musial’s character when he presented him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in February 2011. Louis Cardinals, a rarity today when players, like interchangeable parts, are traded often or jump to other clubs for more money. A World War II vet and family man, Musial played his entire career with the St. If ever there was a sports role model, Stan was one. He became one of the greatest hitters in major league baseball history. With so many players of lesser skill making millions today, I didn’t begrudge him selling his autograph on baseballs and memorabilia.Īfter injuring his arm as a minor league player, Musial was moved to the outfield and then to first base, where he began to hit the ball like few left-handers ever had. As I now recall it was about $2,000 to $3,000. In 1938, Musial was signed as a pitcher to a professional baseball contract. Musial said the scout then appealed to “a higher authority, my mother,” and she agreed. The scout left, but returned several weeks later to again ask that Stan be allowed to play professional baseball. Like most fathers, he wanted a better life for his son and believed college would be his ticket to success. Musial said his father rejected the offer, telling the scout, “My son is going to college.” Musial’s father worked in a steel mill and never got a college education. The scout told Musial’s father he wanted to sign his son to a contract. He said when he was in high school during the Depression a baseball scout came to his hometown of Donora, Pa.

I forget what I said in the speech-and the audience probably has long forgotten, too-but I will always remember having lunch with Stan Musial. “We are members of the same sports club.” I told the person who invited me I would come on one condition: that I could meet Stan Musial. In September 2007, I was invited to make a speech to a civic group in St. Baseball great Stan Musial died over the weekend.

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