St. Louis Cardinals Franchise Four: Other Candidates

Until May 8, St. Louis Cardinals fans can vote for the top four players in franchise history.

The players from each group that receive the most votes will be honored at this summer’s Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Cincinnati.

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Red Schoendienst
The Hall of Fame second baseman was just recently honored by the St. Louis Cardinals for his 70 years in Major League Baseball. Signed by the Cardinals in 1942, the Illinois native made his Major League Debut against the Chicago Cubs on April 17, 1945. After stints with both the New York Giants and Milwaukee Braves, he returned to the Cardinals, where he would play his final MLB game on July 7, 1963.

In 19 seasons as a player, Schoendienst compiled 2,449 career hits. He played in three World Series, winning rings with both the Cardinals and Milwaukee Braves.

A ten-time All-Star, the second baseman was elected by the the Veterans Committee to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989.

Albert Pujols
Perhaps the only Cardinals player in history who could rival Stan Musial in the record books, Pujols won the 2001 National League Rookie of the Year Award after making his debut on April 2, 2001. A 13th round pick in the 1999 MLB Draft, Pujols has become one of the greatest players of all time.

Pujols started out his MLB career with six consecutive seasons of a .300 batting average, 30 or more home runs, 100 or more runs scored, and 100 or more runs batted in. A nine-time All-Star, Pujols won World Series rings in 2006 and 2011 with the Cardinals. The winner of the 2003 NL Batting Title, Pujols was named as the Most Valuable Player in 2005, 2008, and 2009.

As of last night, Pujols is a career .316 hitter with 2535 hits, 523 home runs (18th), 1525 runs, and 1612 RBI. No matter when he retires, The Machine will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Dizzy Dean
Born in 1910, the Arkansas native signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1930. He made his debut on September 28, 1930. His final game played came on September 28, 1947.

Dean’s playing career lasted for 12 years but there was a gap between one game in the 1941 season and his final appearance with the St. Louis Browns in 1947. In his career, Dean compiled a 150-83 (.644) win-loss record with a 3.02 ERA. In 1967.1 career innings pitched, Dean allowed 774 (661 earned) runs on 1919 hits, walking 453 and striking out 1163 hitters.

A four-time All-Star, Dean was the 1934 NL MVP Award winner.

Elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1953, Dean’s name appeared on 209 of 264 ballots for 79.2% of the vote.

Rogers Hornsby
The Texas native made his debut on September 10, 1915 and would play his final game on July 20, 1937.

In 23 seasons, Hornsby was a .358 hitter. He compiled 2930 career hits, 301 home runs, and 1584 RBI. Hornsby won the NL Triple Crown in 1922 and 1925. He won the NL MVP Awards in 1925 and 1929. He was the NL batting champion for eight seasons.

Hornsby was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame by the BBWAA in 1942 with his name appearing on 182 of 233 ballots for 78.1% of the vote.

We have previously profiled Lou Brock, Stan Musial, Bob Gibson, and Ozzie Smith.

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