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Musial on manager’s mind at Cardinals fan festival

Sports

January 22nd, 2013 by Ric Hanson

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Mike Matheny first encountered Stan Musial about two decades ago, watching the Hall of Famer draw a harmonica out of his jacket with an impish grin and captivate yet another crowd. Whichever way the St. Louis Cardinals decide to memorialize Stan the Man, whether they wear armbands or a patch on their uniforms, their manager expects his team to adhere to Musial’s work ethic. Matheny, who begins his second spring training in charge in about three weeks, believes Musial’s passing will serve as perspective and motivation while reminding players that the window of opportunity is short.

The 92-year-old Musial, a seven-time National League batting champion and three-time MVP, died on Saturday. A public visitation will be Thursday at the Cathedral Basilica in St. Louis, with a funeral Mass on Saturday.