He was simply `` The Man . '' Stanley Frank Musial made a name for himself as one of baseball 's best hitters of all time on the field , as well as one of its greatest , most dignified ambassadors off it . And now `` Stan the Man '' is gone . Musial died at his Ladue , Missouri , home surrounded by family , the Cardinals said in a statement . According to a post on his Twitter page , which is maintained by his grandson Brian Musial Schwarze , Musial died at 5:45 p.m. ( 6:45 p.m . ET ) Saturday of natural causes . He was 92 . `` We have lost the most beloved member of the Cardinals family , '' said William DeWitt Jr. , the club 's chairman . `` Stan Musial was the greatest player in Cardinals history and one of the best players in the history of baseball . '' The Pennsylvania-born Musial transitioned from a lackluster pitcher to a stellar slugging outfielder , according to his biography on the National Baseball Hall of Fame 's website . The left-hander had a batting average above .300 17 times during his 22-year career -- all played with St. Louis -- and earned three National League Most Valuable Player awards as well as three World Series titles . The only blip came in 1945 , in the thick of World War II , when he left baseball to join the U.S. Navy . After the 1963 season , Musial retired with a .331 career batting average and as the National League 's career leader in RBI , games played , runs scored , hits and doubles . He has since been surpassed in some of those categories , but he still ranks fourth in baseball history in total hits , behind only Pete Rose , Ty Cobb and Hank Aaron . Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver dead . He also stood out for his grace and sportsmanship -- having never been ejected once by an umpire . In his retirement ceremony , then-Major League Commissioner Ford Frick referred to Musial as `` baseball 's perfect warrior , baseball 's perfect knight . '' In 1969 , Musial was elected on his first try into the Hall of Fame , calling it `` the greatest honor of the many that have been bestowed upon me . '' During and after his playing career , Musial developed a special relationship with the St. Louis fan base , who knew him simply as `` Stan the Man . '' A bronze statue of him stands outside Busch Stadium , which is located in Musial Plaza along Stan Musial Drive . He continued with the organization for more than 25 years after his playing days ended , serving as vice president and general manager . And Musial was active in the community , contributing to causes such as the USO , the Senior Olympics , the Boy Scouts and Covenant House . `` I have no hesitation to say that St. Louis is a great place in which to live and work , '' he said in his Hall of Fame induction speech . `` We love St . Louis . '' His fans returned the favor , revering him for his play as well as his character and commitment to the area . `` Cardinal Nation will never be the same . Rest in peace Stan 'The Man ' Musial , the best Cardinal there ever was , '' wrote one woman , by the name of Elise , on Twitter . Musial also stood tall outside eastern Missouri . He served between 1964 and 1967 as chairman of the President 's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports . In 2011 , President Barack Obama bestowed upon him the Presidential Medal of Freedom , the nation 's highest civilian honor . `` Stan matched his hustle with humility , '' Obama said then . `` Stan remains , to this day , an icon , untarnished ; a beloved pillar of the community ; a gentleman you 'd want your kids to emulate . '' Lillian , Musial 's wife of 71 years , died last May -- a longlasting marriage that some people , online , called as admirable as anything that happened on the diamond . Stan Musial 's passing spurred an outpouring of condolences and praise . Commissioner Bud Selig described him as `` a Hall of Famer in every sense '' and `` a true gentleman , '' former pitcher Curt Schilling called his life `` a clinic in respect , integrity and honor , '' and current Cardinal Matt Holliday said it was `` an honor to the same uniform . '' The messages from fans were no less heartfelt . Wrote Jason Lukehart , on Twitter : `` In a week that 's shown the dangers deifying athletes , Stan Musial 's death reminds me that once in a great while , there 's a man worthy of it . '' People we lost in 2013 : The lives they lived .
Musial played Saturday in the St. Louis Cardinals , all with the Major League . He retired in 22 years as , statistically , three of the best hitters in baseball history . He died Saturday evening of natural causes , his grandson says . Baseball commissioner , players , fans recall Musial as a great athlete and man .