Pennsylvania Act 2011-102 — "STAN THE MAN" MUSIAL BRIDGE - DESIGNATION

Act text

AN ACT

Designating the Donora-Monessen Bridge in Washington and Westmoreland Counties as the "Stan the Man" Musial Bridge.

The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:

(1) Born Stanislaw Franciszek Musial November 21, 1920, Stanley Frank "Stan" Musial is a retired American professional baseball player who was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969. Nicknamed "Stan the Man," Musial played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1941 to 1963. A 24-time All-Star selection, Musial accumulated 3,630 hits and 475 home runs during his career, was named the National League's Most Valuable Player three times and was a member of three World Series championship teams.

(2) Musial was born in Donora, Pennsylvania, where he frequently played baseball in both informal and organized settings, eventually playing on the baseball team at Donora High School. Signed to a professional contract by the St. Louis Cardinals as a pitcher in 1938, by the time Musial made his Major League Baseball debut September 17, 1941, he had been converted into an outfielder. Musial quickly established himself as a consistent and productive hitter, leading the National League in six different offensive categories in 1943 while concurrently earning his first MVP award. After winning his second World Series in 1944, Musial missed the entire 1945 season while serving with the United States Navy.

(3) Receiving his nickname of "The Man" from Brooklyn Dodger fans in 1946, Musial continued his consistent hitting and annual All-Star appearances. In 1948 Musial finished one home run short of winning baseball's Triple Crown. After struggling offensively in 1959, Musial utilized a personal trainer to increase his productivity until retiring in 1963. Musial served as General Manager of the Cardinals in 1966 and 1967, in addition to overseeing various businesses such as a restaurant. Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969, the first time his name appeared on the ballot, Musial was selected for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team in 1999.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. "Stan the Man" Musial Bridge.

(a) Designation.--The bridge carrying the C. Vance Deicas Memorial Highway (S.R. 1077) over the Monongahela River in Washington and Westmoreland Counties is hereby designated the "Stan the Man" Musial Bridge.

(b) Signs.--The Department of Transportation shall, in appropriate locations, erect and maintain signs displaying the name designated under subsection (a).

Section 2. Effective date.

This act shall take effect in 60 days.