Cardinals: The best Silver Slugger performances at each position.

The St. Louis Cardinals have won 23 Silver Slugger Award since 1980. But who  are the best at each position?

The Silver Slugger Award has been awarded annually since 1980 at each position in both the National League and American League. The managers and coaches of Major League Baseball determine the winners after considering  offensive statistics such as batting average, slugging percentage, on base percentage, home runs, and RBIs.

These managers and coaches are not allowed to vote for players on their respective teams.

The St. Louis Cardinals have had Silver Slugger Award winners at seven positions, for a total of 23 since the award has been introduced. Multiple Awards have been won at each of these positions, with exception of second base, where there has only been one.

In 2022, MLB required both Leagues to award Silver Slugger Awards at DH and Utility. The pitcher award, which had been exclusive to the National League, is no longer awarded.

Here, in my opinion, are the best Cardinal Silver Slugger Award winners at each position..

Pitcher: Bob Forsch – 1987

The St. Louis Cardinal pitchers have earned 4 Silver Slugger Awards, with Bob Forsch earning two, Jason Marquis and Adam Wainwright both earning one.

Marquis earned his in 2005, hitting a slash line of .310/.326/.460, with 1 HR,10 RBI, and a OPS+ of 103. Wainwright earned his in 2017, hitting a slash line of ..262/.279/.452, with 2 HR,11 RBI, and a OPS+ of 89.

However, Bob Forsch was probably the finest hitting pitcher the Cardinals ever had since I’ve been watching this team. Forsch earned his first Silver Slugger Award in1980 by hitting a slash line of .295/.313/..474, with 3 HR, 10 RBI, and a OPS+ of 114.

But it was Forsch’s 1987 season that best of bunch. The right handed 34-year old hit a slash line of .298/.333/.509 with an OPS + of 118, along with 2 HR and * RBI.

Catcher: Ted Simmons – 1980

The Cardinal catchers have earned 2 Silver Slugger Awards, with Ted Simmons and Yadier Molina both earning one.

We may forget what a good hitter Molina was at one point in his stellar career. In 2013, Yadi may have had his best year. Not only did he win his sixth consecutive Gold Glove and made his fifth straight All-Star appearance, he won the Silver Slugger Award.

His right handed bat hit a slash line of .319/..359/..477 with a 129 OPS+. He also added 12 HR and 80 RBI to the Cardinals offense during their 2013 World Series run. During the postseason, Molina hit an OPS of .929 during the NLDS against the Pirates, and had a BA of .304 during the World Series against the Red Sox.

Nevertheless, it was Ted Simmons 1980 Silver Slugger season that was the best of the two. The switch hitting Simmons, smashed 21 HR in cavernous Busch Stadium and had 98 RBI. His slash line in 1980 was .303/..375/.505 with a 141 OPS+.

Interestingly enough, as good as Simmons’ 1980 season was, it probably wasn’t his best. offensive performance while in St. Louis. He had more RBIs in ’74 (103) and ’75 (100) while wearing the Birds on the Bat, and had a higher OPS+ in ’75 (142), ’77 (144), and ’78 (148).

In fact, it’s a wonder, he won only one Silver Slugger Award during his Hall of Fame career.

Third Base: Albert Pujols – 2001

The Cardinals have three players who have won the Silver Slugger award. Albert Pujols, Scott Rolen, and Nolan Arenado.

What was surprising to me, is Rolen only won one Silver Slugger Award while in St. Louis. In fact, it was the only one in his career. In 2002, Rolen hit a slash line of .266/..357/.503 with a with an OPS+ of 129. He slugged 31 HR and had 110 RBIs between Philadelphia and St. Louis. After he was traded to the Cardinals on July 29th, he had a OPS of .915 and an OPS+ of 139 in 55 games.

We’ve  just finished watching Arenado’s incredible 2022 and winning his 5th Silver Slugger Award.  His right handed bat hit a slash line of .293/.358/.533 with a 154 OPS+. Arenado also smashed 30 HR and knocked in 103 RBIs, in winning his first Silver Slugger Award as a Cardinal.

Still, the best Silver Slugger Award performance at third for a Cardinal was Pujols’ 2001 season. This surprised me, because some of us forget Albert did play third base early in his career. His right handed bat hit a slash line of .329/.403/.610 with a 157 OPS+.  He slugged 37 HR and brought in 130 RBIs, which also contributed to him being named the NL Rookie of the Year.

We should keep in mind, in his early years with the Cardinals, Pujols played several positions. But in 2001, third base was considered his primary position.

Shortstop: Edgar Renteria – 2003

The St. Louis Cardinals have won three Silver Slugger Awards between two players. Ozzie Smith won one in 1987, and Edgar Renteria won two in 2002 and 2003..

Ozzie first came to the Cardinals as a defense first type of player. But by 1987, he was a pretty good offensive weapon for Whitey Herzog’s Cardinals. Ozzie hit a slash line of .303/.392/.383 with an OPS+ of 105. The switch hitter managed to drive in 75 runs without an home run. But one of assets Ozzie brought to the 80s Cardinals offense was his speed. In 1987 he stole 43 bases.

Ozzie is a Cardinal institution and legend, but Edgar Renteria’s 2002 and 2003 seasons were better. Especially 2003. In 2003, the right handed Renteria had a career year. He hit a slash line of .330/.394/.480 with an OPS+ of 130. Although he only hit 13 HR, he knocked in 100 runs.

Outfield: Albert Pujols – 2003

The St. Louis Cardinals have won six Silver Slugger Awards between six players. They are George Hendrick, Willie McGee, Albert Pujols, Jim Edmonds, Ryan Ludwick, and Matt Holiday.

George Hendrick and his right handed bat was a steady fixture at clean-up in the Cardinals lineup during the late 70s to the mid-80s. In 1980, he hit a slash line .302/..342/.498 with a 129 OPS+. He also contributed  25 HR and 109 RBIs to the Cardinals offense.

Willie McGee added the Silver Slugger Award in 1985 to his trophy case along with his NL MVP Award. The switch hitter had a slash line of .353/.384/.503 with an OPS+ of 147. McGee also led the NL in hits (216) and triples (18). Stolen bases was always an important ingredient to the Cardinal offense in the 80s. McGee stole 56 in 1985.

Jim Edmonds had a career year in 2004 as part of the MV3. His left handed bat hit a slash line of .301/..418/.643 with an OPS+ of 171. Additionally, Edmonds slugged 42 HR and 111 RBIs during the Cardinals 2004 World Series run.

Ryan Ludwick is sometimes the player we forget. In 2008. Ludwick’s right handed bat hit a slash line of .299/..375/..591 with a 151 OPS +. He also hit 37 HR and knocked in 113 runs for the Cardinals during his first and only All Star year.

Matt Holiday’s first full year as Cardinal earned him a Silver Slugger Award in 2010. The right hander hit a slash line of .312/.390/.532 with an OPS+ of 149. Holiday also put 28 balls over the fence and contributed 103 RBIs to the Cardinal offense.

But once again, I turn to Albert Pujols, who was hitting his prime in 2003. Pujols was still playing in the outfield, his last, when he hit a slash line of .359/.439/.667 with an OPS+ 187. He also slugged 43 HR and 124 RBIs. Albert led the NL in runs (137), hits (212), doubles (51), total bases (394), and won the batting title. Somehow he finished second in MVP voting.

Finals thoughts.

Some of my selections, even surprised me. For third base and the outfield, I went into this piece forgetting about Albert playing those positions. But for the years he won the Silver Slugger Award at third and the outfield, he was clearly the best. At least in my  opinion.

As far as first base, I didn’t expect myself to pick Mark McGwire. But after reviewing his 1998 season, I just couldn’t ignore it. PEDs or not, McGwire’s stats still stand. His season in 1998 is still the best.

Let me say, my opinion is clearly subjective. I understand there is room for disagreement in my selections. Nevertheless, these are my picks, and I stand by them.