Ranking 4 potential future managers on the Cardinals roster

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The St. Louis Cardinals have a rich history of producing managers around the league, who could be next in line?

One of the major bright spots for the St. Louis Cardinals this season has been first year manager Oli Marmol. Marmol brings a level of leadership, accountability, and baseball prowess that has taken the club to the next level.

The Cardinals have a rich history of mangers in their organization. Names like Red Schoendienst, Whitey Herzog, and Tony La Russa have all set the example of what it means to manage at a high level. Many players who played in the organization, like Marmol, have gone on to manager the club or other major league clubs.

With such a rich tradition, it makes you wonder which current Cardinals players or coaches could go on to manage at some point in their careers? Some of these names have indicated interest already, while others display the qualities you’d want in a leader of the clubhouse. Here are potential Cardinal managers within the St. Louis clubhouse.

Paul Goldschmidt

On the surface, Paul Goldschmidt may not seem like the kind of player that would go on to manage a clubhouse, but based on the respect he has gained from players in the organization, he may be a sneaky good fit.

Goldschmidt has a Hall of Fame level work ethic, one that has been noted by both players and coaches. His attention to details, including “little things” like rounding bases, has made him one of the premier players in the game. Managers need to balance being a respected leader, terrific teacher, and have an eye for every part of the game. Goldschmidt clearly does.

While it may not be likely that Goldschmidt would pursue a career managing teams, he certainty would have the talent to do so. Often times, superstar level players have a difficult time leading teams as they may not be able to relate to the “glue guys” on a roster. Goldschmidt’s deminer makes him the perfect superstar-turned manager in the future.

Skip Schumaker #55 of the St. Louis Cardinals in the dugout before a game (Photo by Brett Davis/Getty Images) /

Skip Schumaker was a key member of the St. Louis from 2007-2012, and returned to the club as the club’s bench coach this season. Schumaker was a rumored candidate for the manager position before the club hired Marmol.

Schumaker is very similar to the Cardinals current skipper. He brings a steady presence to the clubhouse but is not afraid to get fired up when his club needs it. He is a straightshooter, and will call out the best in players while maintaining their respect. He has filled in to manager the club whenever Marmol has been ejected from games and served as the associate manager of the Padres last season.

It may just be a matter of time before Schumaker gets a shot to lead a club. Marmol looks to be the long-term leader of the Cardinals, so he would likely have to look somewhere else. But Schumaker has all of the qualities you want in a manger, and club’s will want to give him a hard look the next time they need to interview for their role.

Yadier Molina

For years now, fans have viewed Yadier Molina as the team’s on-field manager. His ability to guide a pitching staff has been legendary, and it is clear that his presence in the Cardinals clubhouse alone brings so much value to the team.

Molina has already made himself busy with managerial gigs post-retirement. He was just announced as the Team Puerto Rico manager in the WBC in 2023, and plans to manage in Venezuela after that. With the trend around the league of hiring former players becoming more and more popular, it would be surprising if Molina is never given a shot at the Major League level.

Molina sees the game in a way few other do, and can relate to players coming out of Latin-America in ways that others cannot. His passion and drive for winning is contagious, and he could easily become one of the most fun managers to watch with the emotion he brings to a clubhouse.

And yet, even with all of the passion and drive, Molina has remained a calm presence behind the dish for years. This non-anxious leadership that Molina displays can give him an edge on other managers in big spots for years to come.

Albert Pujols

Probably the least likely name on the list, Albert Pujols would surely receive a shot to manager a ballclub if he ever desired to. His pedigree alone warrants a shot, and his character is unmatched.

Beyond that, Pujols has been credited time and time again this season for his ability to not only lead in the clubhouse, but teach players the ins and outs of baseball. Players respect Pujols and want to learn from him, and he has shown the ability to teach the game at a high level.

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It seems like a longshot that Pujols would ever throw his name into the ring to manage a club, as he is a huge family man and will surely like to grow his influence within his charity work in the Dominican Republic. If he ever does get the itch though, he could very well be one of the best in the game.

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The St. Louis Cardinals have a rich history of producing managers around the league, who could be next in line?

Paul Goldschmidt

Yadier Molina

Albert Pujols

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