David Freese, whose heroics in the 2011 postseason led the St. Louis Cardinals to the World Series title, has decided after "an extreme amount of thought" to decline an invitation to join the team's Hall of Fame, he announced Saturday.

"This is something that I have given an extreme amount of thought to, humbly, even before the voting process began," Freese said in a statement. "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. ...