Hall of Fame Major League Baseball Player. Nicknamed "Stan the Man", he played for 22 seasons (1941 to 1944 and 1946 to 1963) as an outfielder and first baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals. A 24-time All-Star selection, he played in 3,026 games, accumulated 3,630 hits, 1,949 runs scored, 475 home runs, 1,951 runs batted in, and a .331 batting average during his career, was named the National League's Most Valuable Player (MVP) three times, as well as being a member of three World Series championship teams. The son of a miner, he was an exceptional athlete during his high school years as he participated in basketball and baseball. Signed to a professional baseball contract as a pitcher, he was converted to an outfielder prior to his major league debut in 1941. Noted for his unique left-handed batting stance, he quickly established himself as a consistent and productive hitter. In 1942, his first full season, the Cardinals won the World Series championship. The following year, he led the National League in six different offensive categories and earned his first MVP award. He was also named an All-Star for the 1st time and was selected as an All-Star representative in every subsequent season that he played. He won his second World Series ring in 1944, then missed the entire 1945 season while serving with the US Navy during World War II. Upon his return to baseball in 1946, he resumed his consistent hitting. That year, in addition to earning his second MVP award and third World Series ring, he acquired the nickname of "Stan the Man" from the Brooklyn Dodgers fans. His third MVP title came in 1948, when he finished one home run shy of winning baseball's Triple Crown (league leader in home runs, runs batted in, and batting average). At the time of his retirement after the 1963 season, he held or shared 17 Major League records, 29 National League records, and Nine All-Star Game records. Known for his modesty and sportsmanship, he was never ejected from a baseball game during his Major League career. Following his retirement, he served in the St. Louis Cardinals organization, including their general manager in 1967. On August 4, 1968, a statue of Stan Musial was erected outside of the old Busch Memorial Stadium, on the northeast grounds of the St Louis stadium. In 2006, the statue was moved from its original location to the west side of the new Busch Stadium when it opened for its first season. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969, in his first year of eligibility and in 1999, he was selected for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team. On February 15, 2011, President Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his outstanding service as an ambassador for baseball. He died at the age of 92.