What will become of the Stan The Man statue?

[StanTheMan]

I have read many articles about the new stadium, and I will even have a brick with my name on it on teh sidewalk outside the stadium (as will my Dad -- the only Father's Day gift we got him that made him cry) but I have not heard or read what will become of the Musial statue? I hope it is outside the new ballpark, or at least in the ballpark village? Where is it now?

Thanks,
Bryan in Indy

[StanTheMan]

Found the answer to my own question..... He'll be "front and center" at the Spruce Street Entrance, between Third and Home.

http://www.stltoday.com/blogs/sports-bird-land/2006/01/business-as-musial-stans-stand-at-new-busch/

[64Cards]

It's good to have another loyal Cards fan in BBF, Stan, especially one who uses the moniker of one of the greatest and classiest players in the games history.

Re Musial, I was at a luncheon last week that had Marty Hendin, the Cards PR guy as the guest speaker. There was a question asked about Stan's health. He had been unable to make the ceremony they had on the field after the final home game, introducing many of the Cards past greats, plus as Hendin mentioned, he had tried to get Stan to throw out the first ball for Game 6 of the NLCS against Houston, saying that Stan is the teams good luck charm, they rarely lose when he comes to the park, but Stan was too ill for that. The good news is he is doing much better, getting back out again, but he is 85. Hopefully he will be able to throw out the first ball at the opener at the new park.

[StanTheMan]

Thanks....

It would not be a "true" opening of the new park if Stan was not there.... I sincerely hope he is. Red Jacket and all, throwing the first pitch out to Schoendinst. Maybe to Pujols..... We would then have the best Cardinal ever throwing a pitch to the guy who has a change to break some of his records.

I'm just 34, and never saw Stan play, but met him -- as has my Dad. Ole #6 was my Dad's favorite of course. My 9 year old son has a baseball which reads... "To Brendan, a Great Fan, Stan Musial" Probably my most prized posession, even though it is not mine.

My favorite Stan The Man story is told by a friend of mine (he just retired as a AAA Umpire) who grew up a Cub fan, ironically.... My buddy and his family were at the Hall of Fame just a bit before an induction ceremony about 15 years ago. They left the HOF to have lunch at one of the nearby cafes, and Musial was there. My buddies Dad, who must be 55 now, was going absolutely bananas that Stan Musial was "RIGHT OVER THERE!!!!!" He eventually sends his son over to get an autograph. Stan chats him up, asks where are you from, etc. and my buddy explains that they are from Indianapolis, and are at the HOF celebrating his Dad's birthday. Stan signs the kid's ball, and continues with his lunch. Musial finishes his food before my buddy and his family, but on his way out, Musial comes past their table, pulls out his harmonica, and plays "Happy Birthday to You" to the Dad, shakes his hand, and walks out.....

Imagine you are having lunch, and a Hall of Famer, comes over to YOU, to wish you Happy Birthday...

Long live Stan the Man!!!

**Completely off topic... but have you read "October 64"???? Judging by your username, you either have, or should. Great year for the Cards.

[KCGHOST]

Stan the Man is the Cardinals!!!

[64Cards]

I have read October 1964, it is an excellent book.

I've heard many similar Musial stories, Stan is a class act. I was having lunch with some clients a few years ago and Stan was seated at a table next to ours. We all said hi to him, he gave us all a HOF card that he had already autographed. During the lunch he was visiting with the waitresses and busboys or whomever came by. The owner of the place told me on another ocassion, he sent the guy with him out to his car, brought in a box of autographed baseballs he handed out to everyone. Stan knows he's beloved in St. Louis and enjoys it. I wish more athletes could use him as an example. It's not that hard and certainly more fun to be a nice person.

BTW, first game I saw, 7/28/62, Stan hit a HR to beat the Cubs.