St. Louis Cardinals' Legendary Starting Lineup, Ranked by Wins Above Replacement
St. Louis Cardinals Announce All-Time Lineup: A Closer Look
The St. Louis Cardinals have been making waves in the baseball world as they unveil their highly anticipated all-time lineup. While the designated hitter for the team has yet to be determined, the rest of the lineup is shaping up to be a formidable force.
The formula used to quantify the value of each player in the lineup is Wins Above Replacement (WAR), a metric that measures a player's overall contribution to their team. This formula was popularized by Edwin Starr in 1969, although its modern sports usage is different.
Behind the plate, the "lion" of the all-time lineup is Yadier Molina. Known for his defensive prowess and longevity, Molina won nine Gold Gloves and was a 10-time All-Star with the Cardinals. He contributed significantly both offensively and defensively from 2004 to 2022.
At first base, while the specific player has yet to be named, common top candidates are Stan Musial or Albert Pujols. Pujols is generally recognized for outstanding WAR at first base, but the final decision remains to be made.
Moving to second base, Rogers Hornsby takes the spot. With an impressive 127 career WAR, Hornsby is the greatest Cardinals second baseman according to WAR. He was an outstanding hitter with multiple batting titles and MVP awards.
At third base, Ken Boyer holds the position. A Cardinals third baseman from 1955 to 1965, Boyer boasted multiple All-Star appearances, an MVP award, and high WAR numbers for the position.
Ozzie Smith, known for his defensive wizardry, takes the shortstop position. Smith was a long-time Cardinals shortstop and Hall of Famer, with a significant career WAR.
In the outfield, Joe Medwick and Lou Brock are the top contenders. Medwick, who played from 1932 to 1940, had an outstanding WAR with MVP and Triple Crown honors. Brock, on the other hand, is often ranked among the best Cardinals outfielders due to his speed and WAR. However, the center and right field positions are yet to be specified.
Rounding out the lineup is Bob Gibson, the clear all-time best Cardinals starting pitcher based on WAR and achievements. Gibson boasts two World Series MVP awards and multiple Cy Young and MVP honors.
The all-time starting lineup for the Cardinals, based on WAR, places a player at each position, with some positions (1B, CF, RF) not definitively given by WAR in the results available but can be inferred based on Cardinals history and typical WAR leaders for those roles.
The right field, shortstop, second base, and center field positions in the all-time lineup for the Cardinals are yet to be specified. The all-time starting lineup for the Cardinals will include a designated hitter, based on the highest overall WAR among players not listed in the starting lineup.
This all-time lineup is a testament to the rich history of the St. Louis Cardinals in baseball, and fans are eagerly awaiting the final announcement of the designated hitter. The debate about Ted Simmons vs Yadi in the catcher position, as well as the contenders for the outfield positions, promise to keep baseball enthusiasts engaged.
The yet-to-be-determined designated hitter for the Cardinals' all-time lineup may have a significant impact on the team's success in MLB.
In the outfield, the positions of right field, center field, and possibly left field are still up for debate, with players like Joe Medwick, Lou Brock, and potentially others in contention.
