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(AP) -- He already has a statue outside of Busch Stadium and a plaque in Cooperstown, N.Y. Now, Stan Musial has received the nation's highest civilian honor, the presidential Medal of Freedom.

The St. Louis Cardinals great was among 15 recipients awarded the Medal of Freedom during a ceremony Tuesday at the White House. President Barack Obama called the 90-year-old Hall-of-Famer "a gentleman you would want your kids to emulate."

Missouri politicians agreed. Democratic Congressman William Lacy Clay of St. Louis said Musial "represents the very best of America." Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill called him a "true American hero." And Gov. Jay Nixon said Musial is "an extraordinary American and gentleman."

Musial was a 24-time All-Star who retired after the 1963 season with a .331 batting average and 475 home runs.

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