JEFFERSON CITY—State Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Glendale, filed legislation today to name the new Mississippi River bridge after Stan “The Man” Musial, in honor of the former St. Louis Cardinal and baseball legend. Musial passed away on Saturday, Jan. 19, at age 92 at his St. Louis County Home.

“Naming this bridge in memoriam of Stan Musial is a wonderful way to recognize the contributions he made to our state—not only his amazing baseball career, but through his tireless work with local charities and community groups to improve his adopted city,” said Sen. Schmitt. “He was a great man, and each generation is afforded only a handful of those. This is a way for us to honor his legacy.”

Under the bill, the new Mississippi River bridge, technically known as the I-70 interstate bridge, would be named the Stan Musial Memorial Bridge. The bridge is slated to open to traffic in 2014.

Musial played for the St. Louis Cardinals his entire baseball career, from 1941 to 1963. During that time, he broke numerous offensive records for the franchise and held the National League record for hits at 3,630 until the early 1980s. He was admitted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969.

Two years ago, Sen. Schmitt, along with many of his colleagues, lobbied the president to award Musial the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor a civilian can receive. In 2011, more than forty years after hanging up his glove, Musial was recognized in Washington, D.C., with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, capping his accomplished career.

Similar legislation was also filed by Sen. John Lamping, R-Ladue.

“Stan Musial was truly one of a kind.  His commitment to the sport of baseball, the St. Louis Cardinals and the St. Louis community is unmatched,” said Sen. Lamping. “I am happy to join my fellow Senators in ensuring that his memory lives on.” 

Click here to listen to Sen. Schmitt call for a moment of silence on the Senate floor in honor of Stan “The Man” Musial on Tuesday, Jan. 22. 

For more information on Sen. Schmitt’s sponsored legislation, visit his Senate webpage at www.senate.mo.gov/schmitt.