(Get) A Sporting Life

Our once and future King: Musial receives Medal of Freedom in White House ceremony The greatest St. Louis Cardinal of all time today accepted the Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama, who called Stan Musial "an icon, untarnished, a beloved pillar of the communty, a gentleman you would want your kids to emulate." Obama cited Musial's great career statistics and added, "Stan matched his hustle with humility." "He was the first player to make, get this, $100,000, even more shocking was that he asked for a pay cut when he didn't perform to his own expectations," the president said. "You can imagine that happening today." Obama also said that Musial was "worthy of one of the great nicknames in sports -- Stan the Man." Well done Mr. Musial.

This could be interpreted in a good way for Cards's fans: Cardinals, Pujols extend contract deadline The St. Louis Cardinals and representatives for Albert Pujols(notes) have agreed to a 24-hour extension to reach a new contract out of respect for Stan Musial. The Cardinals Hall of Famer will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in Washington on Tuesday and general manager John Mozeliak said Monday the club did not want to distract from Musial's special day. Chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. and Mozeliak will accompany the 90-year-old Musial to Washington. Pujols' agent, Dan Lozano, originally set a Tuesday deadline, the first workout day for pitchers and catchers in Jupiter, Fla. Mozeliak said the new deadline is noon ET Wednesday. It sounds like they didn't want the news of a new deal for Pujols to compete with, and more than likely overwhelm, Stan the Man's big day in Washington. Or is that just wishful thinking?