Sportsmen Get Long Overdue Honor
By Raymond Rolak
Wash. D.C.– It took the encouragement of some U.S. Senators and the entire ‘Cardinal Nation’ but Stan Musial was finally awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He was included with a very distinguished group. President Barack Obama presented to the 90 year old Musial in the East Room of the White House. Musial was one of 15 recipients of the medal and one of two sports greats. Also honored was Boston Celtics Hall of Famer, Bill Russell.
Musial and Russell were included with a very distinguished group including former U. S. President George H.W. Bush. Interestingly, the senior President Bush, 86, had played baseball at Yale and participated in the NCAA finals in 1947 and 1948. The former collegiate first baseman talked about the great experiences he had at the first College World Series. The first two CWS were at Hyames Field on the campus of Western Michigan University. Yale had been runners-up to California and USC in 47 and 48, respectively. “We got our picture taken with Babe Ruth and I thought that was heady stuff but here I am with Stan-the-Man,” said the former President. “I am so honored to be here today.”
Also receiving the award were former President George H.W. Bush, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, U.S. Rep. John Lewis, John H. Adams, Maya Angelou and financier Warren Buffett. Also included were Jasper Johns, Gerda Weismann Klein, Dr. Tom Little, Sylvia Mendez, Jean Kennedy Smith, John J. Sweeney and world renown musician Yo-Yo Ma.
President Bush, who played baseball at Yale, kept a George McQuinn style first baseman’s glove in the Oval Office desk drawer when he was in the White House. “When I was stressed, I would pull it out and pound on it,” said the former President.
Musial, inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in 1969 and the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame (NPASHF) in 1973 was humbled. Seated with Lil, his wife of over 70 years, Musial said, “I am proud to be a Cardinal.”
Russell was the centerpiece of 11 championship seasons for the Celtics. Also, he won two NCAA basketball championships at the University of San Francisco. One of Russell’s high school teammates in Oakland, California was future baseball Hall of Famer Frank Robinson.
Russell, who also coached for the Seattle Supersonics in the NBA, was also a national basketball broadcaster. He complimented President Obama about reaching the top of his field based on intelligence, ingenuity and hard work.
Throughout the 2010 baseball season, thousands of Cardinals fans from around the world took part in the team’s social-media based ‘Stand for Stan’ campaign. The players also joined in the campaign. “For us, Stan embodies all that is good about the game of baseball and what it means to be a St. Louis Cardinal,” wrote the 2010 Cardinals players in a letter to President Obama supporting Musial for the Medal of Freedom. “Stan is a role model for players and fans alike, embodying the qualities of good sportsmanship, self-discipline, hard work, consistency, grace, humility and excellence.”
The grass roots effort blossomed and helped the decision of the President regarding Musial. Ron Watermon of the St. Louis Cardinals was the point man for the ‘Stand for Stan’ project. Cardinal supporters and Musial admirers were encouraged to take their picture of with the caricature of the ‘Stand for Stan’ and forward the photo’s on. Folks were lobbying and encouraging others in the effort with their picture of ‘Stand for Stan’. “The day we started the project, the team (Cardinals) was in San Diego, and there were fans already in the stadium with ‘Stand for Stan’ posters,” said Watermon. “It took a life of its own and just grew.”
The Medal of Freedom is the nation’s highest civilian honor. It is bestowed to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the best interests of the United States, to world peace or to cultural or other significant public endeavors. Though individuals may be honored for singular acts of momentous achievement, it is generally presented for a lifetime of service or at the conclusion of a distinguished career. It was long overdue for Musial.
Musial joins other baseball greats who have been awarded the Medal of Freedom, including Hank Aaron (2005), Roberto Clemente (2003), Joe DiMaggio (1977), Buck O’Neil (2006), Frank Robinson (2005), Jackie Robinson (1984) and Ted Williams (1991).
A Pennsylvania native, Musial enjoyed a 22-year Major League Baseball career as an outfielder and first baseman with the Cardinals. He started out as a promising pitcher. With his unorthodox coiled stance, he batted .300 or better in each of his first 16 seasons and finished with a .331 career batting average. His average ranks 32nd all-time in baseball history and fifth highest in Cardinals history.
Musial won the National League batting title seven times. He was a three-time National League Most Valuable Player (1943, 1946 and 1948), accumulated a career total of 3,630 hits and 475 home runs.
Musial also was on three World Series teams as a player and one as the Cards’ general manager. His great sports appeal was national in scope. Musial became part of the fabric of American culture, when in 1946 the spectators in Brooklyn, New York gave him his now famous nickname, ‘THE MAN’.
Musial recalled his induction into the NPASHF in 1973 and the anniversary celebration of the Museum 25 years later. He remembered fondly regaling the audience with his harmonica. “Ray, Polish food is still my favorite,” he added while smiling. “I watched the 2006 series on TV,” referring to the Tigers-Cards matchup.
Off the field, Musial’s accomplishments are still impressive. Other activities and charities fond to Musial are the USO, Senior Olympics, the Boy Scouts, the Crippled Society of St. Louis, and Shelter the Children. He always has stayed connected to baseball and operated a hotel in retirement and lent his name to a restaurant in suburban St. Louis.
He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, missing the entire 1945 season. While still playing he recognized the great importance of off season training and nutrition. In 1959 Musial hired a personal trainer to get his hitting eye back on stroke. He was awarded Comeback Player of the Year in 1962 when he hit .330 at age 41. After his playing days he served as chairman of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s President’s Council on Physical Fitness from 1964 to 1967.
Musial wholeheartedly helped the growth of Little League baseball in Poland and has acted as an unofficial emissary to Poland. He was awarded the Cavalier Cross of the Order of Merit, the Polish Government’s highest civilian honor.
The Medal of Freedom was established in 1945 by President Harry S. Truman to honor service during World War II. The medal was re-established in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy and the scope by which it is awarded was broadened.
“Throughout his life, Stan has never sought recognition for his good works,”’ said Cardinals Chairman William DeWitt Jr. in a released statement. “Stan has been a true role model exemplifying the humility, grace and generosity we so desperately need to see in our American sports heroes.”
Musial’s decency as a gentleman was legendary. Musial stood by his beliefs of treating people right. In 1947 when some Cardinals wanted to boycott an upcoming game against the Brooklyn Dodgers because they had African-American Jackie Robinson on their roster, he took action. Unaffected by the pressure, Musial adamantly refused to follow suit. The Cardinals played the game, a testament to the respect he commanded in the clubhouse. He was also highly valued for mentoring rookies with advice and tips. He would include ‘the rooks’ for dinner invites when traveling on the road. Years later, Hank Aaron said that Stan Musial was one of his favorite Major League players because he treated all men equally and with dignity.
Musial was the first player in Cardinals history to have his uniform number retired and in 1969 won first-ballot election into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. On Oct. 2, more than 39,000 fans paid tribute to Musial at ‘Stan for Stan’ Day at Busch Stadium.
MLB Commissioner Bud Selig said, “On behalf of all of Major League Baseball, I am truly thrilled that The White House has honored Stan Musial with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Stan Musial is an extraordinary human being, a great American and one of the best players in the history of the game. He has long been a treasure of St. Louis, but he represents all the best of our national pastime. Today, our game salutes Stan Musial on this highest honor from our country.”
I joked with Bill Russell that Musial had been offered a basketball scholarship in 1938 to the University of Pittsburg. “Russell smiled, “I would have gotten more boards.” The normally very intense Russell was very gracious and we compared some University of San Francisco and University of Detroit sports stories. We shared about the Jesuit Basketball Initiative, a new promotion to highlight Jesuit colleges that have varsity men’s and women’s basketball programs. Russell had as two of his guests, football great Jim Brown and baseball Hall of Famer Joe Morgan.
There is a statue of ‘Stan the Man’ outside of Bush Stadium in St. Louis. It is inscribed with this quote by former baseball executive Ford Frick, “Here stands baseball’s warrior. Here stands baseball’s perfect knight.”
Editors Note: Raymond Rolak is a Sports Writer and was a past Chairman of the NPASHF.
From Bishop Thaddeus Peplowski of the Buffalo-Pittsburgh Diocese in Acts: New Hope – New Vision – New Growth
This second decade of the Twenty First Century promises a sturdy and sure foundation for the Polish National Catholic Church. We enter in the 114 Anniversary of the organization of the Church and the 104 Anniversary of the Consecration of the First Bishop, Francis Hodur in valid and licit Apostolic Succession. The fact that we have preserved our Holy Orders in an unbroken line with the first Holy Apostles, has ignited the flame of a New Hope and an enlightened vision for the future growth and expansion of the Polish National Catholic Church. Our battle cry for success continues to inspire people in other nations to follow our lead in preserving the concept of National Catholic Churches in which: “By Truth, Work and Struggle, We Shall Succeed!”
I have just returned from a successful missionary visit to both Germany and Italy where there are both former Anglican and Old Catholic Parishes and Communities that are disillusioned over the questionable validity of some doctrines and sacraments that are being practiced in those Churches. They respect the decision that our bishops took in 2003 at the Bishop’s Conference in Prague in breaking official ties with European Old Catholic Churches. There are many clergy and lay members who feel the same way and want to be in union with our church. They are asking that we listen to their pleas and offer some type of accommodations that will allow them to be in Communion with the Polish National Catholic Church. The purpose of the “Union of Scranton” was proposed so that they might find a haven that will continue to maintain the traditional Old Catholic teachings and practices.
In Germany, I was invited to visit a former Old Catholic Monastic Abbey that follows the Cistercian Rule and they are looking for union with an on-going traditional Old Catholic Church. The Polish National Catholic Church is the only Old Catholic Body that fits that criteria, so through the influence of Father Roald Flemested of the Nordic Catholic Church, they were directed to contact me. We met with Abbot Klaus Schlapps at St. Severn’s Abbey in Kaufberuren, Bavaria. This Abbey also serves about 100 members of a Parish Church St. Lucas in the town of Kaufberuren. There are priests, brothers and nuns who make up this Order and serve five other Old Catholic Congregations in Germany. There are also possibilities of accepting other groups in France, Switzerland and five Parishes in Cameroon, Africa. The talks appear to be very positive for establishing relations that could include them in the Union of Scranton.
We traveled nine hours by train from Bavaria through Austria and the Swiss Alps to the famous city of Turin, the permanent home of the Shroud of Turin. Our missionary endeavor was successful there for now have three Parishes in Italy: St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish in Luca with Fr. Claudio Boca as Pastor; Merciful Jesus Parish in Turin with Fr. Giuseppe Biancotti as its Pastor, and Holy Spirit Parish in Sabaudia with Fr. Luciano Bruno as its Pastor. Another Parish is in the process of being organized near Pizza by Father Gastone Bernacchi, whom I ordained on Saturday, January 15th. Two of these Parishes were formerly Old Catholic Congregations under the Bishop of Switzerland. Inquiries are also coming from other former Anglican and Old Catholic Communities who see in the PNCC the traditional catholic teachings and Apostolic Orders that are vital signs of being a part of the true Church of Jesus Christ.
Too often we America National Catholics take our Church for granted and feel that we belong to a small, little known denomination that no one knows or cares about. The Polish National Catholic Church however, is greatly admired by people throughout the world as being a Church of great faith and conviction, and they seek to be one with us because we maintain the traditional signs of a true Church, for we are: One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic in preserving a very orthodox and traditional faith. For these very reasons, we should continue to have Hope and New Vision for the future growth and expansion of the National Catholic Church’s expression of the true faith.
In 2011, let us take the example of our newest mission fields where people are very open and positive about expressing their joy of being a part of the PNCC and because of their new or refound faith, they are not afraid to talk to others about what the Church means in their lives. We need to stop standing along the side lines and criticizing what is happening and get out into the mainstream of life and tell others about the Church. Our words and actions are positive seeds that will cause the PNCC to grow not only in new mission fields, but also blossom and bear fruit right in our own hometown congregations. All it takes is faith, and God will do the rest.
My new diocesan bishop, the Rt. Rev. John E. Mack, took the helm of the Central Diocese of the PNCC, as well as the mother church of the PNCC, St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Cathedral, on February 1, 2011.
Bishop Mack has served for the past four years as the auxiliary bishop of the Buffalo-Pittsburgh Diocese and has been longtime pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Washington, Pennsylvania.
Bishop Mack was born and raised in the Polish National Catholic Church in the greater Detroit area and attended Savonarola Theological Seminary in Scranton.
Bishop Mack and his wife Sherry have three children, aged 17, 20 and 23.
May God grant him many years. Welcome and Sto Lat! Bishop Mack.
The New York Folklore Society has a number of professional development opportunities taking place in the upcoming months, including two “Gatherings” for Latino Artists, a Folk Arts in Education workshop in Western New York, and the upcoming Folk Art Roundtable, and an invitation-only professional development opportunity for folklorists working within New York State.
Second Latino Artists’ Gathering: Challenges and Opportunities for Traditional Artists in Rural New York
The New York Folklore Society, in collaboration with Go Art!, will hold its second Latino Artists’ Gathering on March 19, 2011 At the Homestead Event Center, Batavia City Center, Batavia, New York. Supported by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York State Council on the Arts, the gatherings provide an opportunity for Latino artists residing in non-metropolitan New York State to come together to discuss issues and solve common problems. March’s theme will be “Challenges and Opportunities for Traditional Artists in Rural New York”, and we will hear of some of the current initiatives being tried to link artists across distances.
The schedule for the Gathering includes a presentation by Arturo Zavala, who has done extensive research on cultural entrepreneurship and is, himself, a traditional musician; a panel discussion by Western New York community members on the solutions they employ in their own work, and participatory dance and crafts workshops. The day concludes with dance performances from Puerto Rico and Mexico, presented by Borinquen Dance Theater and Alma Latina. For further details or to discuss attending, please contact us at (518) 346-7008 or via E-mail.
New York Folklore Society Gallery to feature the work of Bernard Domingo
To recognize the month-long run of The Lion King at Proctors Theatre in downtown Schenectady, The New York Folklore Society is featuring the bead and wire animals of Bernard Domingo. Originally from Zimbabwe but now living in New York State, Bernard uses wire and glass beads to create whimsical animals as well as other items such as motorcycles and flowers. Bernard has specifically crafted a large lion and a water buffalo to tie in to the performance of the musical. These, and many more animals, will be on display through February and March 2011.
The Gallery of New York Folk Art is located at 133 Jay St., Schenectady, NY. Gallery hours are Monday – Saturday 10:00 – 3:30.
New York Cultural Heritage Tourism Conference
The conference: Bridges to the Future, Empowerment through Collaboration in Cultural Heritage Tourism, A Cultural Heritage Tourism Symposium will take place at Colgate University, Friday, March 18th from 9 am to 3:30 pm at the Ho Science Center, Colgate University, Hamilton, New York.
Did you know that Cultural Heritage Travelers:
- Consistently spend more money and linger longer than other travelers
- In 2009 there were 118.3 million U.S. cultural heritage travelers
- Cultural heritage travelers are dedicated shoppers at museum stores
This conference is for curators and staff of Cultural Heritage attractions, historical societies, and anyone who needs to drive more tourism business to their own front door. A conference fee of $30 per person includes the day’s events, luncheon, take home materials, refreshments, excellent presentations and time to network. Additional persons from the same business are only $25. Space restrictions
require that reservations be limited to the first 75 persons.
More information about the symposium will be forthcoming soon. Contact the New York Cultural Heritage Tourism Alliance by E-mail or at 315-521-3985.
On Tuesday, February 22nd at The Stone, you can support One Story at a benefit reading with a bonus: Amy Hempel, A.M. Homes, and Hannah Tinti will not only read, they will also join forces to perform a musical number. This event is part of a series curated by Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson. It will cost just $10 and all proceeds will go to support One Story!
Date/Time: Tuesday, February 22nd at 8 pm.
Curated by: Laurie Anderson & Lou Reed
Featuring: Amy Hempel, A.M. Homes & Hannah Tinti
At: The Stone, Lower East Side NYC, located on the Corner of Avenue C & 2nd Street
Price: $10. All proceeds benefit One Story. One Story is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supported by readers and by grants from organizations including the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, and Amazon.com.
The Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Albany Polish American Community Center is sponsoring Movie Night at the PCC with a screening of the film, In Dessert and Wilderness (W Pustyni i w Puszczy).
The movie is based on a story by Henryk Sienkiewicz. It tells the story of 15 year old Stas Tarkowski and 9 year old Nel Rawlinson, kidnapped by rebels fighting for the great Arab leader – the Mahdi. Their fathers desperately organize a search party, but the Mahdi uprising is spreading rapidly across North Africa and the chances of finding the children seem remote. Forced to rely on themselves, Stas and Nel, together with two young African slaves, Mea and Kali, escape their captors and head south across desolate country. In their search for a way home, they must battle wild animals, thunderstorms, hunger and malaria. Their journey to freedom brings them into contact with some colorful characters: Kaliopoli, a displaced Greek, guides Stas through a critical encounter with the great Mahdi, and Linde, an eccentric Polish cartographer, himself lost in the jungle, offers hope when Nel comes down with malaria and all hope for her survival seems lost.
The movie is in Polish with English subtitles. The movie will begin at 7:30 pm. Pizza, popcorn, and soda will be provided. A donation of $2 to support the Ladies’ Auxiliary is kindly requested from PCC members, $5 from non-members. Children are FREE!