The greatest St. Louis Cardinal of all-time will add one more distinction to his long list of achievements. Stan Musial will be honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor for an American civilian, just 3 months following the Hall of Famer's 90th birthday.

Musial has always been seen as a baseball icon. He was one of the greatest hitters of all-time. But he is receiving the medal for reasons that go beyond the diamond. Musial is described as baseball’s perfect knight, the ultimate gentleman, a role model who lives with great optimism and joy.

Last May, the Cardinals created the "Stand for Stan" campaign which called attention to Musial’s extraordinary life as a baseball legend, war veteran, and outstanding citizen in an attempt to support his case and lobby the White House, on Musial's behalf, for the Medal of Freedom.

As part of the campaign, the Cardinals asked fans to print off the "Flat Stan" Musial cartoon and tote it around the world, snapping pictures and sending them in via Facebook, Twitter or the team's official web site. The club also organized a "Stand for Stan" day at the ballpark, which took place in September.

No place knows this better than St. Louis, where Musial still makes his home. He is involved in the community and has made the city proud for decades — both on and off the field. That pride and admiration was on display this season with the “Stand for Stan” campaign, Read more about Stan Musial