Vice President Romney? Sure...Says "Mr. October"

For the life of me, I'm not sure why athletes (and former athletes, for that matter) need to comment on politics.

Nevermind. It's because we're all paying attention.

Earlier this week, following the Presidential election, baseball Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson felt the need to open up about how he feels the government sholuld be run.

"Just because President Obama is back in power is not as important as all of us pulling together," Jackson told USA TODAY Sports. "The best would be for Obama to be president and Romney to be vice-president. We need everyone to come together."

 

Now, I'm not opposed to the whole "come together" idea, but "Mr. October" knows how this works, right?

But, wait...there's more.

"We need to have the resolve to work together," Jackson continued. "It's like when the Yankees have a great team, it helps baseball. When the Knicks and Lakers are great teams, it helps basketball. If the Republicans and Democrats can get together, it will make our country a strong, better place, for everyone.''

Okay...I'm confused.

How is the Yankees having a great team (A) good for baseball and/or (B) anything like having both Barack Obama and Mitt Romney occupying the White House?

Ugh. How many days until pitchers and catchers report?


　

Stan Musial: "This is the Greatest Day I Had in My Life"

Last November, after a wonderful "Flat Stan the Man" campaign, 90-year-old Hall of Famer Stan Musial got the call that he was going to be one of the latest Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients.

Pretty cool.

Tuesday, perhaps lost in all the Albert Pujols nonsense, was the day for "The Man" and how did he re-pay his fans at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue?

Well, according to Bernie Miklasz from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch...with an impromptu harmonica concert of course.

As soon as he was wheeled into the White House, Musial pulled out his trusty harmonica to entertain welcoming members of Obama's staff with some favorite ditties, including that most precious of Stan the Man's chestnuts, "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."

"It was pretty amazing," said Stephen Beck, a documentary moviemaker who accompanied President George Bush, also a medal recipient, to the White House. "Stan comes into the place and immediately takes out the harmonica and gets going. He had the White House staff smiling and laughing."

And then after the ceremony, at a reception for medal winners and their guests, Musial set up for an encore.

By placing the Medal of Freedom around Musial's neck, President Obama made the lifelong Cardinal baseball's eighth recipient...the most among any sport. 

The other seven are Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, Joe DiMaggio, Buck O'Neil, Frank Robinson, Jackie Robinson and Ted Williams...not too shabby. 

I encourage you to read Miklasz's piece...it's pretty incredible and pays tribute to Musial and the event far better than I ever could.

"Flat Stan" Musial Gets the Call

Back in May, the St. Louis Cardinals began publicly lobbying to get Hall of Famer Stan Musial the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Wednesday night, Musial (who will turn 90 this Sunday) got the call from baseball comissioner Bud Selig...the "Flat Stan the Man" campaign had paid off. 

Early next year, President Obama will honor the Cardinals legend.

Since 1977, seven others (Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, Joe DiMaggio, Buck O'Neil, Frank Robinson, Jackie Robinson and Ted Williams) have received the highest honor in the land. And since 1992, there have been 185 overall Medals handed out. 

This year, Obama will hand out 15 more.

“These outstanding honorees come from a broad range of backgrounds and they’ve excelled in a broad range of fields," the nation's First Fan said, "but all of them have lived extraordinary lives that have inspired us, enriched our culture, and made our country and our world a better place. I look forward to awarding them this honor.”

So when you are asked around the water cooler "what do George Bush the elder, Maya Angelou, Yo-Yo Ma and Stan Musial have in common"...you can now answer with confidence. 

They're all being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011.

"Flat" Stan Musial Needs Your Help!

In what can only be described as a stroke of genius by the St. Louis Cardinals Media Relations Department, the team has launched a nationwide campaign to get Stan Musial the highest honor in the land...the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Enter "Flat Stan the Man".

In order to gain some attention for the baseball legend, Hall of Famer and all around good guy, St. Louis Post-Dispatch cartoonist Dan Martin has designed a Flat Stanley-like image of the iconic slugger (you can download that sucker HERE) and the Cardinals are looking for your help.

Here is their plan:

Show your support for the St. Louis Cardinals effort to convince President Obama to award Stan Musial the Presidential Medal of Freedom by taking part in our Flat Stan the Man Project, in cooperation with Dale Hubert's Flat Stanley Project.

Simply print and cut out your own Flat Stan the Man, take your photo with it, then post it on cardinals.com/stan.

According to a recent story in the Post Dispatch, the ballclub has already taken "dozens and dozens" of pictures of celebrities and athletes (included the one with Albert Pujols above) with "Flat Stan the Man".

The team is also planning to incorporate Twitter and Facebook to fuel the grassroots movement for Musial.

Should this all work, Musial won't be the first baseball player to be bestowed with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Since 1977, seven others (Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, Joe DiMaggio, Buck O'Neil, Frank Robinson, Jackie Robinson and Ted Williams) have received the highest honor in the land. And since 1992, there have been 185 overall Medals handed out.

So far, President Obama has awarded 16 of them...so really, what's one more?

Let's get it going gang...spend a couple minutes and take a stand for Stan. If you can't get up and out there with your "Flat Stan the Man", you can sign the petition that the Cardinals already have in place or go one step further and write President Obama yourself.

I know I did.

Now pitching...number 44. Barack Obama.

Hey, this guy is President now...'nuff said.