20 GREATEST St. Louis Cardinals Players of All Time

20 GREATEST St. Louis Cardinals Players of All Time

Baseball in St. Louis isn’t just a sport, it’s a heartbeat. The Cardinals aren’t just a team. They’re a tradition that’s been passed down for generations. From World Series glory to unforgettable plays that became legends, the franchise has been home to some of the greatest players the game has ever seen. The Cardinals aren’t just one of baseball’s most successful franchises. They’re a dynasty built on grit, heart, and loyalty. From the gas house gang of the 1930s to the dominance of Stan the Man to the magic of Aussie Smith and the unforgettable reign of Albert Pools, Cardinals been home to legends who defined eras. Today, we’re counting down the 20 greatest players in Cardinals history. The men who didn’t just play the game, but forever shaped what it means to be a Cardinal. Number 20, Adam Wayright. Adam Wayright was the kind of pitcher you wanted on the mound when everything was on the line. With that signature looping curveball, a pitch that seemed to defy gravity, he built a career filled with unforgettable moments. The image of him freezing Carlos Beltron in the 2006 NLCS to send the Cardinals to the World Series is forever etched in franchise history. Over 18 remarkable seasons in St. Louis. Wayeno racked up 200 wins, earned three all-star selections, and became the anchor of the rotation for over a decade. But Wayright was more than just numbers. He was a leader, a mentor, and a fighter who battled through injuries and setbacks, always coming back stronger. His loyalty to St. Louis, his connection with the fans, and his heart on his sleeve style of play turned him into something greater than a pitcher. Adam Waywright became a symbol of resilience, class, and what it truly means to be a Cardinal. Number 19, Chris Carpenter. Chris Carpenters’s career was nothing short of a story book, one filled with comebacks, grit, and an unshakable will to compete. Injuries constantly tried to derail him. But every time he stepped back on the mound, he reminded everyone just how dominant he could be. In 2005, Carpenter captured the Sai Young award, establishing himself as one of the fiercest aces in baseball. He wasn’t just a pitcher, he was a warrior. Carpenter’s fire and intensity burned brightest in October. He was the emotional and physical backbone of the Cardinals 2006 and 2011 World Series championship runs. What set Carpenter apart wasn’t just the velocity on his fastball or the sharp bite of his cutter. It was his mentality. He carried himself with a fearless edge. The kind of competitor who refused to back down no matter the stakes. To fans, Chris Carpenter wasn’t just an ace. He was the embodiment of toughness, heart, and championship pedigree. Number 18, Johnny M. Before he was enshrined in Coopertown, Johnny Mai was making his name as one of the most dangerous bats in the National League, right in the heart of St. Louis. Nicknamed the big cat for his smooth fielding at first base and his powerful, graceful swing, Mis was the kind of hitter who could change a game with one swing of the bat. In his six seasons with the Cardinals during the late 1930s and early 1940s, he piled up 158 home runs in that span. What made Mai special was the way he made hitting look effortless. Even though much of his Hall of Fame career unfolded after a trade to the New York Giants, Mis’s years in St. Louis laid the foundation for his legendary status. For Cardinals fans of that era, Johnny M wasn’t just another star. He was a beacon of power in a time when sluggers were rare. His legacy in St. Louis may have been shorter than fans wished, but his impact remains etched in the franchise’s proud history. Number 17, Red Shundines. Figures in baseball history have been as intertwined with one franchise as Red Shundines was with the St. Louis Cardinals. To call him just a player or just a manager would be selling him short. Red was a cardinal in every possible sense of the word. A living bridge across generations of fans and players. As a player, Shundine was the epitome of consistency and reliability. A slick fielding second baseman with a steady bat, he made 10 all-star teams during his 19-year career. His defensive instincts, quick hands, and knack for doing the little things right made him a cornerstone of the Cardinals in the 1940s and 1950s. In 1946, he was a key piece of the team that captured the World Series championship, helping to bring St. Louis its sixth title, and still, even beyond the glory years as player and manager, Shundine remained ever present. For over 70 years, he wore the birds on the bat in some capacity. Coach, adviser, mentor. Number 16, Keith Hernandez. Keith Hernandez wasn’t just a first baseman. He was an artist with a glove. Widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive first baseman the game has ever seen. But Hernandez wasn’t only about defense. In 1979, he was named the National League’s most valuable player, an honor he shared with Pittsburgh’s Willie Starle. That season solidified Hernandez as not just a defensive marvel, but a complete player who could carry a team offensively as well. From 1978 to 1983, he won six consecutive gold gloves in St. Louis. And his presence in the lineup and on the field helped guide the Cardinals during a period of transition, setting the stage for the success that would follow in the 1980s. His leadership, professionalism, and baseball IQ left a deep imprint on the clubhouse. For Cardinals fans, he wasn’t just a star. He was a standard bearer for what it meant to combine style, substance, and heart every time he stepped onto the field. Number 15, Curt Flood. Kurt Flood wasn’t just a center fielder. He was the heartbeat of the Cardinals outfield during the 1960s and a man whose courage changed the very structure of baseball. He won seven consecutive gold gloves. Kurt Flood was a central figure in the Cardinals golden era, helping lead the team to World Series championships in 1964 and 1967 and another pennant in 1968. In the biggest moments, he was steady, reliable, and a leader who gave the Cardinals confidence that the middle of the outfield was always locked down. History has remembered him as a trailblazer, a man whose courage gave future generations of players the right to control their own careers. For Cardinals fans, Curt Flood will always be remembered as more than just a three-time all-star and defensive wizard. He was a champion on the field and a pioneer off it. A man whose courage and conviction changed baseball forever. Number 14, Joe Medwick. Joe Medwick, better known as Ducky, was one of the brightest stars of the Cardinals famed Gash House gang in the 1930s, and his bat made him one of the most feared hitters in the game. In 1937, Medwick etched his name into baseball history by winning the National League Triple Crown. That year, he was also named the league’s MVP, cementing himself as the centerpiece of a Cardinals lineup that opponents dreaded facing. Medwick’s intensity sometimes rubbed opponents the wrong way. But for Cardinals fans, it was part of his charm. His contributions helped the Cardinals capture the 1934 World Series, a title run remembered for its grit as much as its talent. As the last National League player to win the Triple Crown, Medwick’s legacy has stood the test of time. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1968, but in St. Louis, his memory lives on as one of the great power hitters and colorful characters in franchise history. Number 13, Jim Edmonds. Known for his jaw-dropping diving catches and his smooth left-handed swing, Edmonds became one of the cornerstones of the Cardinals during the 2000s. During his tenure with Cardinals, he hit more than 30 home runs in five different seasons, anchoring the middle of the lineup during the Cardinals most successful stretch of the 2000s. And then there was October 2004, a postseason moment etched in Cardinals lore. Edmonds delivered one of the most iconic swings in franchise history, a walk-off, extra inning home run that sent Bush Stadium into chaos. His highlight catches and clutch postseason moments ensure that his legacy lives on as one of the great all-around players in team history. Number 12, Ken Ber. Ken Ber was the heart of the Cardinals during the 1960s. The kind of player every great team needs. Steady, reliable, and unshakable when the pressure was highest. His defensive brilliance earned him five gold gloves. and his strong arm and quick reflexes made him a nightmare for hitters who dared test the hot corner. But Ber’s value went far beyond defense. He was one of the most consistent run producers of his era, hitting 255 home runs and driving in more than 1,000 runs in a Cardinals uniform. His crowning moment came in 1964 when Ber carried the Cardinals to a World Series championship. Today, Ber’s name still resonates in Cardinals lore as one of the franchis’s true cornerstones, a model of consistency, class, and clutch performance. Number 11, Ted Simmons. Ted Simmons may be one of the most underrated superstars in baseball history, but in Cardinals, his greatness never went unnoticed. A switch-hitting catcher with rare offensive talent, Simmons spent 13 seasons in a Cardinals uniform, quietly building a resume that rivaled the best of his generation. He was a six-time all-star in St. Louis and a constant offensive force who could hit for both average and power. It took far too long, but in 2020, Simmons was finally recognized for what he truly was, a Hall of Famer. His induction served as validation for a career that, while overshadowed during his playing days, stands as one of the finest ever by a catcher. For the Cardinals, Simmons remains a symbol of consistency, toughness, and excellence. A player whose impact is still being fully appreciated today. Number 10, Yadier Molina. Molina became the face of the Cardinals for nearly two decades. Yadier Molina wasn’t just a catcher. He was the soul of the St. Louis Cardinals. From the moment he put on the gear, pitchers knew they were in safe hands. His arm was a weapon. His game calling was unmatched. And his leadership made him one of the most respected players in all of baseball. Nine gold gloves, 10 All-Star appearances, and two World Series championships only scratched the surface of his impact. Molina had a way of controlling the game that never showed up in a box score, framing pitches to perfection, guiding young pitchers through the storm, and coming up big in the clutch. But beyond the hardware and highlights, Molina was about trust. Fans trusted him. Teammates trusted him. For the Cardinals, he was more than a player. He was family. And when people look back at the Cardinals history, Yachti’s name will forever stand tall among the legends. Number nine, Dizzy Dean. Dizzy Dean wasn’t just a pitcher. He was a force of nature. As the fiery ace of the Gash House gang, he brought swagger, confidence, and a touch of mischief every time he took the mound. In 1934, Dean etched his name into baseball history by winning 30 games, a feat no National League pitcher has accomplished since. That season, he didn’t just pile up wins. He carried the Cardinals to a World Series title, earning the league MVP in the process. But Dean’s legacy wasn’t only about numbers. He had a flare for the dramatic and a personality that made fans fall in love with him. Even when injuries cut his career short, Dean refused to fade quietly. He stayed in the game as a broadcaster where his colorful storytelling and downto-earth humor turned him into a folk hero all over again. To Cardinals fans, Dizzy wasn’t just a ball player. He was entertainment. Heart and spirit rolled into one. Unforgettable both on and off the mound. Dean remains one of the most iconic figures not only in Cardinals history, but in all of baseball. Number eight, Eno Slaughter. Eno Slaughter embodied everything Cardinals baseball stood for. hustle, grit, and an unwavering determination to win. No moment captured his spirit more than the legendary mad dash in game seven of the 1946 World Series. With the score tied late in the game, Slaughter took off from first base on a line drive single to left center. While most runners would have stopped at third, Slaughter never hesitated. He rounded the bases at full speed, sliding home safely to score the winning a run and deliver the Cardinals another championship. That single play etched his name permanently into baseball folklore. But Slaughter’s career was much more than one daring dash. A 10-time all-star, he spent 13 seasons with the Cardinals and helped the team capture two World Series titles. For fans, he wasn’t just another great ball player. He was the heartbeat of the team during the 1940s. A man who never stopped running, never stopped fighting, and never stopped believing. To this day, Ena Slaughter remains one of the most beloved figures in Cardinals history. Number seven, Lou Brock. The Cardinals pulled off the trade for Lou Brock in 1964. It was more than just a transaction. It was a turning point in franchise history. At the time, many questioned the deal, but it quickly became one of the most lopsided and legendary trades in baseball history. What the Cardinals gained was not just a player, but an electrifying force who would redefine what it meant to be a leadoff hitter. Brock wasn’t just fast. He was breathtakingly fast with blazing speed and fearless instincts. He stole 50 or more bases in a season 12 times, leading the league eight times, and his daring base running became the engine that powered the Cardinals offense. In October, when the lights were brightest, he shined even brighter. During the Cardinals World Series runs in 1964 and 1967, Brock was unstoppable. He wasn’t just playing the game, he was changing it. For Cardinals fans, Lou Brock symbolized excitement, energy, and excellence. To this day, when people talk about the art of base running and the heart of Cardinals baseball, Lou Brock’s name is at the very top. Number six, Mark Maguire. When Mark Maguire arrived in St. Louis in the summer of 1997, he brought with him something the Cardinals had never truly seen before. Unlimited jaw-dropping power. Fans knew he could hit home runs. But no one could have predicted just how much he would change the atmosphere at Bush Stadium. The peak came in 1998, a season that captivated not only Cardinals fans, but the entire nation. Chasing Roger Maris a single season record of 61 home runs, Magguire turned every game into must-watch television. By the time the season ended, Magguire had finished with an unprecedented 70 home runs, a number that seemed almost unfathomable. Over his tenure with St. Lewis Magcguire hit 220 home runs in just 545 games. An astonishing pace that showcased the most concentrated power surge the franchise has ever seen. Of course, his legacy is complicated. The steroid controversy has cast a shadow over his career, and debates about his place in baseball history continue to this day. But fans remember the electricity he brought to the ballpark and the way he revitalized the spirit of the game. For a few magical summers, Mark Maguire wasn’t just a cardinal. He was the face of baseball and his era remains etched into the fabric of the franchise’s history. Number five, Aussie Smith. The Wizard of Oz didn’t just play shortstop, he redefined it. When Azie Smith took the field, he turned defense into an art form in baseball into pure theater. With his signature pregame back flips and his unmatched athleticism, Azie brought a sense of magic to Bush Stadium every single night. He wasn’t just reliable at shortstop, he was spectacular, making plays that seemed impossible. Diving in the hole, leaping high for line drives, flipping across second base to start double plays. Smith did it all with a flare no one had ever seen before. Over his career, Aussie won 13 consecutive gold gloves, a record for shorts stops, cementing him as the greatest defensive player the position has ever known. He collected over 2,400 hits, stole nearly 600 bases, and became the spark at the top and bottom of the lineup that kept St. Louis’s offense moving. By the time he retired, Azie Smith wasn’t just a Hall of Famer. He was a performer, an icon, and one of the most beloved figures ever to wear the birds on the bat. He didn’t just play the game. He enchanted it. Number four, Rogers Hornsby. Rogers Hornsby was perhaps the purest hitter the game has ever seen. His career batting average still ranked second in Major League history, trailing only Tai Cobb. And he remains the gold standard for offensive dominance. Hornsby wasn’t just good. He was extraordinary, posting numbers that seem almost unreal even today. Hornsby paired his incredible average with power, leading the league in home runs, RBI’s, doubles, and just about every offensive category during his prime. Hornsby’s impact went beyond individual brilliance. In 1926, he served as player manager and guided the Cardinals to their very first World Series championship. By the time his career in St. Lewis was done. Rogers Hornsby had built a resume that was untouchable. Two MVP awards, two triple crowns, and a reputation as the greatest right-handed hitter who ever lived. For the Cardinals, he was more than just a star. He was the man who helped establish the winning tradition that still defines the franchise today. Number three, Albert Pools. Albert Pools didn’t just hit, he devastated pitchers. In his prime, he was arguably the most feared right-handed batter in the game. Over a 22-year career, Pull smashed 703 home runs, drove in 2,218 RBI’s, second most in history, and recorded 3,384 hits, a combination of milestones reached by only the rarest legends. He won three MVP awards and a batting title, while also earning six silver sluggers, 11 all-star selections, and two gold gloves at first base. But it wasn’t just the numbers. From 2001 to 2011, Bulls averaged 40 home runs, 120 RBI’s, and a 328 average. Statistically, one of the most dominant 11-year stretches in MLB history. He helped lead the St. Louis Cardinals to two World Series titles and was the heart of their lineup for over a decade. Even in the twilight of his career, P’s return to St. Louis felt like the closing chapter of a baseball fairy tale. His legacy, pure excellence, sustained power, and grace over two decades. Number two, Bob Gibson. If intimidation had a face on the pitcher mound, it would be Bob Gibson. Known for his explosive fastball and relentless competitive fire, Gibson spent his entire 17-year career with the St. Louis Cardinals, becoming one of the most feared pitchers of the 1960s and 70s. In 1968, he had perhaps the most dominant season in modern baseball history, finishing with a 1.12 erra, 268 strikeouts, and 13 shutouts. That season was so overpowering, Major League Baseball literally lowered the mound the next year to give hitters a fighting chance. Gibson won two Sai Young awards, two World Series MVPs, and struck out 17 batters in a single World Series game, a record that still stands. He finished his career with 251 wins, 3,117 strikeouts, and 56 shutouts. But Gibson’s greatness was about more than numbers. He intimidated hitters, attacked the strike zone, and refused to back down. He wasn’t just dominant. He was legendary. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1981. Number one, Stan Musil. Stan Musil was the perfect combination of power, precision, and poise over a staggering 22-year career with the St. Louis Cardinals Stan the Man compiled 3,630 hits with an exact split. 1,815 at home, 1,815 on the road. Symbolizing the remarkable consistency that defined him, he hit 331 lifetime, clubbed 475 home runs, and drove in 1,951 RBI’s, earning three MVP awards, seven batting titles, and 24 all-star selections. That’s not a typo. 24. Musiel was a quiet giant, a man who never sought attention, but whose numbers demanded it. He led the Cardinals to three World Series titles and was so respected that opposing fans cheered for him. Musiel didn’t play for records or headlines. He played for excellence. His legacy is one of class, humility, and unrelenting production. He didn’t need controversy or drama to be remembered, just a sweet swing and a smile that defined a generation. And that’s our look at the 20 greatest players in St. Louis Cardinals history. Which Cardinal legend is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below. And if you enjoyed this video, don’t forget to hit that like button, subscribe, and ring the bell so you never miss another deep dive into baseball’s greatest stories.

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20 GREATEST St. Louis Cardinals Players of All Time

⚾ The **St. Louis Cardinals** are one of the most legendary franchises in **Major League Baseball (MLB)**, with a history of greatness that spans more than a century. Known for their **11 World Series championships**, passionate fanbase known as **Cardinals Nation**, and some of the most iconic players in baseball history, the Cardinals remain one of the most respected teams in all of sports.

In this video, we count down the **Greatest St. Louis Cardinals Players of All Time**, celebrating the legends who made unforgettable contributions both on and off the field. From the early days of baseball glory to modern superstars, these **Cardinals legends** left an everlasting impact on the game.

Here’s what you’ll discover:

* 🏆 **Stan Musial (“Stan the Man”)** – One of the greatest hitters in MLB history, the face of the Cardinals for decades.
* ⚾ **Bob Gibson** – A dominant pitcher and World Series hero, feared by hitters across the league.
* 🌟 **Ozzie Smith** – “The Wizard of Oz,” the greatest defensive shortstop of all time, known for his acrobatics at Busch Stadium.
* 💣 **Albert Pujols** – One of the most feared sluggers of his generation, a three-time MVP, and a true Cardinals icon.
* 🚀 **Lou Brock** – The speedster who became one of the best base stealers in baseball history.
* 💯 **Yadier Molina** – The legendary catcher who defined Cardinals pitching staffs and became one of the most respected leaders in MLB.

These **St. Louis Cardinals greats** are more than just statistics — they embody the heart of **Cardinals Nation**, the tradition of excellence at **Busch Stadium**, and the spirit of a franchise that continues to inspire fans across generations. From clutch World Series moments to unforgettable regular season performances, the **best Cardinals players ever** have given baseball some of its greatest memories.

Whether you’re a lifelong St. Louis fan, a baseball historian, or just curious about the **most iconic MLB players**, this list of the **greatest Cardinals players of all time** will remind you why the Redbirds are one of the most storied teams in baseball.

📺 Make sure to watch until the end to see which player takes the crown as the **#1 Greatest St. Louis Cardinals Player in history**.

👉 Don’t forget to **LIKE 👍 this video, COMMENT 💬 with your favorite Cardinals legend, and SUBSCRIBE 🔔** for more **MLB history, player rankings, and baseball documentaries**.

#stlcards #mlb #stlouiscardinals #cardinalsnation #baseballhistory
#baseball #baseballplayers #sports #baseballhighlights

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