Seeing Stan

I am one of the very few people my age who can honestly claim that I saw Stan "The Man" Musial play baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals. Despite the fact that I was barely two years old when he retired, my Dad made sure I went to the ballpark to see Stan Musial play. I actually do have a couple of foggy recollections of the old Sportsman's Park field; although I have no idea whether they were from that visit or a subsequent one. For the sake of making a better story - which I'm wont to do - I'll continue to believe that my memories are of that day.

With Spring officially starting tomorrow, one cannot help but think of the coming rite of Spring - St. Louis Cardinals Opening Day (capitalized because it is nearly a religious holiday in St. Louis)! Opening Day in St. Louis will be different this year. Even though Stan Musial's age and health has kept him from being an active participant in the festivities in recent years; it was always a given that "The Man" would be a part of the day.

Yes, there will be a certain pall that hangs over the day this year as Cardinal fans everywhere are reminded that "The Man" is gone.

St. Louis adored Stan Musial. Perhaps no athlete has ever been as closely associated with a city and its fans as Stan "The Man" Musial has been linked to the City of St. Louis, the Cardinals Baseball Team and its fans. He was a hero to fans who weren't even born when he wore the Cardinals uniform, and those of us who really can't remember him playing. It seems like everyone in St. Louis has some sort of Stan Musial story.

Perhaps no one has as many stories, or as much admiration for "The Man" as my cousin Charlene. She has a Stan Musial shrine; adorned with autographed items and memorabilia. She entertains with story after story of encounters with Stan "The Man" - both chance encounters and planned encounters.

Yes, Cardinals Baseball will be different this year.

Stan Musial recognized that the game, and the team, were bigger than any individual player. He never forgot that it was the fans who made it possible for him to play baseball.

Even decades after retiring; Stan Musial remembered the fans.

And the fans remembered him.

Stan Musial personified what a sports hero and legend should be. While he was certainly very well paid for his time, he believed that he owed it to the Cardinals and their fans to perform each and every day as if his next paycheck depended upon his efforts in that game. He recognized that someone in the stadium had paid hard earned money to watch him play; perhaps for the very first time. And Stan Musial believed that every fan in the stands deserved to witness his best effort.

He was a player so respected that the opposing fans that dubbed him, "The Man."

Today's athletes have somehow forgotten the total class that made Stan "The Man."

Although they will never be the legend that he became, they would do well to emulate "The Man."