Cardinals' World Series hero David Freese declines invitation to team's Hall of Fame

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David Freese, the hero of the 2011 World Series for the St. Louis Cardinals, stunningly declined the invitation to be inducted into the organization’s Hall of Fame.

Fans chose Freese in the online voting for this year’s class. On Saturday, the Cardinals said Freese recently informed the team he wanted to withdraw his candidacy.

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First base coach Chris Maloney greets David Freese of the Cardinals after Freese's third-inning single against the Boston Red Sox during the World Series at Busch Stadium on Oct. 28, 2013, in St Louis, Missouri. (Elsa/Getty Images)

"This is something that I have given an extreme amount of thought to, humbly, even before the voting process began. I am aware of the impact I had helping the team bring great memories to the city I grew up in, including the 11th championship, but this honor means more to me," Freese said in a statement.

Freese was the MVP of the 2011 World Series and National League Championship Series. He had three home runs in the NLCS victory over the Milwaukee Brewers and then had seven RBI in the World Series against the Texas Rangers. He hit the walk-off home run in Game 6 to extend the series and was 1-for-2 with two RBI in the deciding Game 7.

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Cardinals David Freese victorious after hitting a walk-off home run in the World Series game vs. Texas Rangers at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. (John Biever /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)

"I look at who I was during my tenure, and that weighs heavily on me. The Cardinals and the