Hall of Fame Slugger Stan Musial Passes Away at 92

Baseball Hall of Famer Stan Musial died Saturday at the age of 92.

MLB released the news on its official Twitter page:

"

We mourn the passing of @cardinals icon and Hall of Famer Stan Musial, who has passed away at the age of 92: twitter.com/MLB/status/292…

— MLB (@MLB) January 20, 2013"

Musial was the second MLB legend to pass away Saturday, after beloved former Baltimore Orioles manager Earl Weaver died earlier in the day.

UPDATE: Saturday, Jan. 21 at 9:10 p.m. ET by Richard Langford

The MLB tweeted this statement on Musial's passing from commissioner Bud Selig:

"

"As remarkable as 'Stan the Man' was on the field, he was a true gentleman in life." – Commissioner Bud Selig: twitter.com/MLB/status/292…

— MLB (@MLB) January 20, 2013"

UPDATE: Saturday, Jan. 21 at 8:53 p.m. ET by Richard Langford

USA Today's Bob Nightengale passed along this thought on Musial from fellow great Willie Mays: 

"

WiIlie Mays on Stan Musial: "He was a true gentleman who understood the race thing and did all he could.. ..a true gentleman.''

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 20, 2013"

---End of Update---

Musial spent his entire decorated career with the St. Louis Cardinals, leading the team to three World Series titles. He debuted for the Cardinals on Sept. 17, 1941, with his last appearance coming on Sept. 29, 1963. His career was interrupted by America's entry into World War II, as Musial served the Navy for a year.

Throughout his marvelous career, Musial was selected as an All-Star 24 times, was named NL MVP three times and won seven batting titles. The star-studded slugger was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969, as he received 93.2 percent of the vote as a first-ballot selection.

Musial ranks fourth all time in hits with 3,630, ninth in runs with 1,949 and sixth in RBI with 1,951. 

ESPN's Trey Wingo added this interesting statistic about Musial's career: 

"

One of the greatest stats of all time? Stan Musial had 3630 hits: 1815 at home, 1815 on the road. #consistency

— trey wingo (@wingoz) January 20, 2013"

Musial's relationship with the Cardinals continued throughout his life. He was part of the front office initially following his retirement, and he threw out the first pitch in Game 5 of the 2006 World Series.

In 2010, it was announced that Musial would be given the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama for his longtime service and achievements. The ceremony took place in 2011.

His family tweeted about their loss:

"

Stan the Man passed peacefully at home at 5:45 pm tonight of natural causes. Life will never be the same without baseball's perfect knight.

— Stan Musial (@stanthemaninc) January 20, 2013"

Cardinals chairman William DeWitt Jr. expressed the feelings of the franchise:

"

"We have lost the most beloved member of the Cardinals family." - @cardinals Chairman William DeWitt Jr.

— MLB (@MLB) January 20, 2013"

Musial is survived by his four children: Richard, Gerry, Janet and Jeanie. His wife of 71 years, Lillian, passed away on May 3, 2012.