St Louis is one of the few American cities to produce a lineage of legendary baseball players who have etched their names into national history books. From the incredulous swings of Stan Musial to the mind-bursting performances of Bob Gibson, this city has undoubtedly served as a breeding ground for baseball greatness.
This article celebrates the St Louis baseball icons and highlights their tremendous career achievements.
St Louis Baseball Legends
Below are our top St Louis baseball heroes with legacies that extend beyond the game. We’re pretty sure these names would have encouraged you to stake using Iowa odds on St Louis Cardinals if they were still active:
Stan Musial
He stands out as the most exceptional individual from St Louis. Known affectionately as “Stan the Man,” he was a phenomenal player and a role model in his conduct. Musial dedicated his entire 22-season career to the Cardinals franchise, and under his leadership, the Cardinals secured three World Series championships.
Musial’s extraordinary achievements earned him three well-deserved MVP awards in 1943, 1946, and 1948. Throughout his career, he maintained an impressive lifetime batting average of .331.
In Musial’s best season, he dominated the league with 135 runs, 18 triples, 46 doubles, 131 RBI, and a remarkable .376 average batting in 1948 at age 27.
Bruce Stutter
Sutter’s brief but impactful time with the St. Louis Cardinals, highlighted by his clutch performances and instrumental role in the 1982 World Series victory, firmly establishes him as a revered figure in the team’s history. His achievements on the field earned him the rare honor of having his jersey retired by the team.
He performed exceptionally during the 1982 World Series and helped secure the National League Championship Series with a flawless save. Throughout his tenure as a Cardinal, Sutter amassed an impressive total of 127 saves. His dominance on the mound solidified his reputation as one of baseball’s first great closers.
Albert Pujols
Despite the bitterness among some Cardinal fans regarding his departure from St. Louis, Pujols will undoubtedly be remembered as an extraordinary player in the team’s history. His impact as a leader and his instrumental role in two Cardinal World Series championships, achieved in 2006 and 2011, cannot be overlooked.
Pujols’s contributions to those victories showcased his exceptional talent and invaluable presence on the field. Throughout his 11 long seasons at St Louis, Pujols completed 445 home runs and received three MVP awards solidifying his status as one of the most dominant players in the game.
Notably, Pujols was well on his way to surpassing the record for the most home runs in Cardinals history before he left in 2011.
Bob Gibson
Bob Gibson’s exceptional contributions played a pivotal role in the Cardinals’ triumphant World Series victories in 1964 and 1967, earning him the well-deserved MVP award for both series. Gibson’s dominant performances on the mound showcased his remarkable talent and ability to deliver under pressure.
During his remarkable tenure as a Cardinal, Gibson amassed an impressive 251 victories and a career ERA of 2.91. Gibson’s outstanding achievements include being a two-time recipient of the Cy Young Award, claiming the prestigious 1968 MVP award, and garnering nine Gold Glove Awards for his exceptional defensive skills.
Notably, he received the highest honor by being inducted into the revered Baseball Hall of Fame.
Mark McGwire
Mark McGwire undoubtedly ranks among the elite power hitters in the history of baseball. The highlight of his career was his impressive home run chase with Sammy Sosa in 1998.
McGwire, fondly known as Big Mac, showcased his brilliant talent by completing about 20 home runs in less than six seasons with St. Louis Cardinals. After he returned from playing, he took an active bat coaching role with the Cardinals and successfully led the team to a World Series victory in 2011.
