Stan Musial

Stan Musial, “Stan the Man,” was the embodiment of consistency, grace, and quiet excellence during one of the most turbulent times in baseball history. A 24-time All-Star, three-time MVP, and lifetime .331 hitter, Musial spent his entire career with the St. Louis Cardinals and is considered one of the greatest hitters in the history of the sport. His 3,630 hits were evenly split,1,815 at home and 1,815 on the road, a poetic symbol of his balance and dependability.

Musial was always friendly towards Jackie Robinson. When Jackie retired before the 1957 season, he reflected mournfully that after being violently spiked by Cardinals players early in his career, he threatened to do the same to Stan Musial in retaliation. “I've always been sorry for that,” he wrote. “Because what was going on was not Stan's fault.”

Musial’s legacy is defined by his jaw-dropping numbers and the quiet leadership he provided during a transformative period in the game. In an era when silence from white stars often equaled complicity, Musial’s respectful and inclusive demeanor helped lay the groundwork for a more equitable sport. In 2011, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a fitting tribute to a man who led not just by his bat, but by his example.