Top 19 St. Louis Cardinals of All Time

Today we will look at the top 10 St. Louis Cardinals of all time; active players are not eligible for this list.

19) Vince Coleman

Coleman is widely considered to be one of baseball’s all-time great base stealers. During his six seasons with the Cardinals, the speedy outfielder swiped an incredible 549 bases.

In 1985, he earned the distinction of Rookie of the Year by stealing 110 bases over three different seasons while wearing a Cardinal uniform.

He was a game-changer, as any time he got on first base he was almost certain to steal second.

How Vince Coleman destroyed teams in 1985

18) Curt Flood

Flood was an outstanding defensive centerfielder for the Cardinals, earning Gold Gloves each year from 1963-1969.

He was integral to two World Series champions (1964 and 1967). Perhaps his greatest impact on baseball was his role in developing free agency.

After the 1969 season, Flood rejected his trade. Although he lost in court, Flood laid the foundation for future generations of players to follow in his footsteps.

How Curt Flood’s sacrifice changed MLB | Outside The Lines

17) Keith Hernandez

Hernandez was another defensive standout for the Cardinals, earning 11 consecutive Gold Gloves at first base–six of which came during his tenure with St. Louis.

He was an integral member of the 1982 World Series championship team and earned himself the 1979 NL MVP award.

He wasn’t a true slugger, but he was an impressive all-around player and had become a mainstay in St. Louis for 10 years.

Keith Hernandez Highlight Video

16) Willie McGee

McGee was a beloved figure among fans in St. Louis and enjoyed his most successful years playing for the Cardinals.

As a rookie in 1982, he was part of the Cardinals’ World Series championship squad.

He won the MVP award in 1985, hitting.353 with ten home runs, 82 RBI and 56 stolen bases.

He played for the Cardinals from 1982 until 1990 and then returned to St. Louis from 1996-1999 to cap off an incredible career.

Redbird Reels: Willie McGee | St. Louis Cardinals

15) Bruce Sutter

Sutter only played four seasons for the St. Louis Cardinals, yet his No. 42 jersey was honored by their team and is now retired.

Sutter earns a place on this list for his heroic saves in the 1982 World Series, which not only helped seal victory over the Brewers as he saved two games in that World Series.

One of those games was Game 7, giving the Cardinals their series win.

Sutter saved 127 games as a Cardinal and is widely considered to be one of baseball’s all-time great closers.

Remembering Bruce Sutter | St. Louis Cardinals

14) Jim Edmonds

Edmonds was acquired from the Anaheim Angels in exchange for second baseman Adam Kennedy and pitcher Kent Bottenfield.

That ended up being an extremely beneficial trade for the Cardinals.

Edmonds enjoyed eight seasons on the team, hitting 241 home runs and driving in 713 runs while hitting.285.

He earned six Gold Gloves with the Redbirds for his outstanding center field play and was integral to their 2006 World Series victory.

Jim Edmonds Cardinals Career Highlights

13) Mark McGwire

It’s hard to put McGwire on this list because of the steroid use, but it’s even harder when you realize the powers that be in MLB allowed it to go on; no doubt they knew. McGwire’s five years in St. Louis included 220 home runs.

Watch all of Mark McGwire’s 70 homers from 1998

12) Ken Boyer

Boyer was a great defensive third baseman winning five Gold Gloves in his time with the Cardinals. He also helped the Cardinals win the 1964 World Series and claimed the NL MVP award that year for good measure.

1964 WS Gm4: Boyer crushes go-ahead grand slam in 6th

11) Ted Simmons

Simmons was an eight-time All-Star, and six of those appearances came during his 13 seasons in St. Louis.

Ted Simmons Cardinals Career Highlights

10) Red Schoendienst

Schoendienst was another beloved Cardinal, having been part of the organization for several decades both as a player and manager/coach.

He played for the Cardinals during their 1946 World Series run and later managed them to a 1967 World Series triumph.

He scored over 1,000 runs as a Cardinal and ranked sixth on their all-time hits list.

Red Schoednienst Highlight Video

9) Enos Slaughter

Slaughter was a stud who, because of World War 2, lost three prime years of his career; my bet is he would rank much higher than this if he could have played those seasons. Slaughter made 10 All-Star Game appearances with the Cardinals.

Enos Slaughter – Baseball Hall of Fame Biographies

8)Yadier Molina

Molina flawlessly handles pitchers and at the plate, he was one of the greatest hitting catchers of all time. Molina is on this list because of his defense though and his ability behind the plate is unquestioned.

Yadier Molina Defensive Highlights

7) Dizzy Dean

Dean had an amazing seven-year run as a Cardinal, including being the leader of the Gashouse Gang in 1934 when he won over 30 games while leading the Cardinals to a World Series Championship. Dean also won the National League MVP Award in 1934 and finished runner-up for the honor in both 1935 and 1936.

Dizzy Dean highlight video

6) Ozzie Smith

Smith made 14 all-star teams as a Redbird and is third on the St. Louis all-time stolen base list with 433 swipes. Smith also played some of the best defense of his era as well, winning 11 Gold Gloves as a Cardinal and 13 overall.

Ozzie Smith was a defensive WIZARD!

5) Lou Brock

Brock was integral to the St. Louis Cardinals’ two World Series victories in 1964 and 1967.

What made trading for Brock even sweeter for the Cardinals was that they acquired him from Chicago in one of baseball’s most lopsided trades.

He’s the all-time leader with 888 stolen bases and second only to Stan Musial in hits.

The Cardinals have honored his No. 20 jersey by retiring it.

The ELECTRIFYING Lou Brock was one-of-a-kind on the field!

4) Rogers Hornsby

Hornsby won the 1925 National League MVP as a member of the Cardinals, and there’s a legitimate argument to be made that said the campaign wasn’t even his best with the team, as the year before he hit .424. The 13.9 defensive WAR that Hornsby finished his career with is a reminder of how excellent of an infielder he was early in his career. Hornsby won the triple crown twice in his career and batted over. 400 in three separate seasons for the Cardinals.

Rogers Hornsby Highlights

3) Albert Pujols

Pujols had one of the greatest 11-year stretches we’ve ever seen during his time with the Cardinals. The 445 home runs that Pujols hit during his time with the Cardinals are the most over those 11 years, and Alex Rodriguez is the only one won within 70.

Albert Pujols Career Highlights (One of the GOATs retires from MLB after hitting his 700th homer)

2) Bob Gibson

Gibson spent his 17-season career with the Cardinals, winning the Cy Young Awards in 1968 and 1970, the National League MVP in 1968, and World Series MVP in 1964 and 1967. Gibson won 9 Gold Glove awards in his career making him one of the greatest fielding pitchers of all time also.

Bob Gibson Highlights

1) Stan Musial

Musial was a 24-time All-Star; Musial spent his entire career with the Cardinals, winning seven batting titles and three National League MVPs. He helped the Cardinals win 3 World Series during his career.

Stan Musial Tribute- career highlights, greatest plays, games.

Honorable mention

Ray Lankford

Adam Wainwright

Johnny Mize

Bob Forsch

Chris Carpenter