Obama with Stan Musial in 2011. (Getty Images)

As most baseball fans know by now, baseball legend and Hall of Famer Stan Musial died Saturday.

Sunday, the White House issued a statement on his passing -- a clear sign of the impact Musial had on the country as a whole, not just baseball fans.

Here is the statement, from spokesperson Joanna Rosholm:

“The President was saddened to learn of the passing of baseball legend Stan Musial. In 2010, the President was honored to award Stan “the Man” Musial the nation’s highest civilian honor – the Medal of Freedom – for his unrivaled passion for the sport and the example he set for all young Americans. The President’s thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones.”

As you can see to the right, it was President Barack Obama himself who placed the Medal of Freedom around the neck of Musial on Feb. 15, 2011.

The Medal is given to individuals who have made "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors."

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