Today, we set aside deadlines and contracts and negotiations. \u00c2\u00a0Today, we set aside forecasting and expectations. \u00c2\u00a0We set all of that aside, at least for a short time, because today is a day for greatness.<\/p>\n
As all Cardinal fans know,\u00c2\u00a0Stan Musial<\/a><\/strong>, the greatest Cardinal of them all, is in Washington today to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in this country. \u00c2\u00a0He’s surrounded by a stellar group of honorees including former President Bush (#41) and Bill Russell. \u00c2\u00a0For a majority of the country, though, Stan overshadows them all.<\/p>\n Bernie Miklasz is with Stan and his family, covering the story for the\u00c2\u00a0Post-Dispatch<\/em>. \u00c2\u00a0He’s filed a couple of stories already, one with\u00c2\u00a0Stan’s ties to the White House and his visits there<\/a>, which is an interesting read, but I think the better story is\u00c2\u00a0his reflections on Stan<\/a> and how he so richly deserves the honor that he is to receive.<\/p>\n As Bernie points out, we don’t know how many more times we’ll see Stan the Man on a public stage. \u00c2\u00a0When you get to 90, that happens. \u00c2\u00a0We hope Stan is with us for many more years, but we are realists as well. \u00c2\u00a0The fanbase went through it with Jack Buck, expecting but still grieving his passing. \u00c2\u00a0We know we will have to do it with Stan as well, but we hope that day is still a long way off.<\/p>\n