Cardinals all-time best third basemen in franchise history

Over the years, the Cardinals have prided themselves on having high-caliber third basemen patrolling the hot corner. Let's look at the top five third basemen in the Cardinals' history.

The Cardinals have had some of the games top third basemen over the years.

Troy Glaus and Gary Gaetti were third basemen who many hoped who carry over from prior success. Todd Zeile was a prospect the organization had high hopes for success, and David Freese was the hometown kid who may not have been all that at third base, but he hit a home run in Game 6 of the 2011 World Series, making him a Cardinals legend.

Let's take a look at some of the honorable mention best third basemen.

This is a part of a running series on Redbird Rants ranking the top 5 Cardinals at each position. You can find the other position groups we have ranked so far below.

Top 5 Catchers

Top 5 First Basemen

Top 5 Second Basemen

Honorable mention best third basemen

Kenny Reitz. A fan favorite for many years, Kenny Reitz spent eight seasons with the Cardinals at third base. He won a Gold Glove in 1975 and was an All-Star in 1980. Known as The Zamboni, he had an incredible .970 fielding percentage, leading the league in the metric six times over his career. He had 219 double plays, 2,477 assists, and 996 putouts.

He wasn't the greatest of hitters, with career numbers of .260/.290/.359 with an OPS of .649. He had 68 home runs and 548 RBI.

After he retired from the game, he did promotional work for the Cardinals, including golf events and the annual Cardinals Caravan, allowing players and alumni to meet with Cardinals fans from around the region.

Reitz passed away in March 2021, and while he may never have a Cardinals Hall of Fame induction, Reitz is a beloved former Cardinal, and in Cardinals nation, that matters a lot in Cardinals nation.

Mike Shannon. Shannon played the last four seasons of his career at third base for the Cardinals, starting in 1967. The Moonman hit .255/.311/.387 with an OPS of .698 with 68 home runs and 367 RBI.

Shannon hit the last home run at Sportsman's Park and the first home run at Busch Memorial Stadium. A kidney disease cut his playing career short. He had an amazing second career in the radio booth as a color comentator for the broadcasts from 1972-2021. He was known for his home run calls in which he would call for the ball to "Get up, baby! Get up!"

Shannon was inducted in the Cardinals Hall of Fame in 2014.

Joe Torre. He joined the Cardinals in 1969- 1974. Torre won the NL MVP in 1971 while manning third base for the Cardinals. His .363 batting average and 137 RBI led the National League that season. He was an All-Star third baseman from 1971-74.

Torre went on to manage the Cardinals from 1990-95 and was inducted into the Cardinals Hall of Fame in 2016.

# 4 Nolan Arenado

Nolan Arenado joined the Cardinals in 2021 after the Rockies traded the Gold Glove third baseman for Aaron Gomber and Elehuris Montero, and a series of minor leaguers. There is no doubt that when all is said and done for Arenado, he will be higher in the Cardinals' all-time best third basemen rankings.

For now, Arenado has been named an All-Star in both seasons with St. Louis. He has won the Gold Glove for his play at third base in both seasons, was named a Silver Slugger in 2022, and was third in the National League MVP vote behind teammate Paul Goldschmidt and San Diego Padre Manny Machado.

In addition to being one of the top hitters on the team, Arenado provides jaw-dropping impressive defense at third base. He led the National League in 2022 in double plays, turned at third base with 42, and had a 7.9 WAR for the Cardinals in 2022, leading the National League.

Arenado will be a player to watch as he helps the Cardinals at third base and climbs the ranks of baseball's all-time best.

#3 Whitey Kurowski

Whitey Kurowski was a five-time All-Star and helped the Cardinals to three World Series Championships in 1942, 44, and 46.

In the 1942 World Series, his lone home run came in the form of a game-winning homer off Red Ruling, breaking a 2-2 score in the ninth inning, clinching the World Series for the Cardinals over the Yankees.

He had a career of 24.7 WAR, hitting .286/.366/.455 with an OPS of .821 with 162 doubles, 106 home runs with 529 RBI in his nine-season career. He had a .957 fielding percentage, 137 double plays, and 1,025 putouts while playing at third for the Cardinals. Kurowski was known for his consistency throughout the season, including the dog days of July and August.

In 1949, Kurowski developed arm and elbow issues which cut his playing career short. Kurowski earned votes on the National League ballot in 1942 and 1944 - 1947. Kurowski is not in the National or Cardinals Hall of Fame but did gain induction into the National Polish-American Hall of Fame in 1988,

Kurowski passed away in December 1999.

Considering his consistent, All-Star caliber play throughout the 1940s, Kurowski would be a great addition to at least the Cardinals Hall of Fame.

#2 Scott Rolen

Scott Rolen was a mainstay at the hot corner for the Cardinals from 2002-07. The tough-as-nails athlete earned the NL Gold Glove at third base while with the Cardinals in 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2006. He was an All-Star from 2003-06. Known as a member of the MV3 with Albert Pujols and Jim Edmonds, Rolen was a fan favorite and an obvious top third baseman in the franchise's history with his spectacular plays at the position, leadership, and offense.

He was drafted by the Phillies in 1993 and traded to the Cardinals in July 2002. During his six seasons with the Cardinals, Rolen hit .286/.370/.510 with an OPS of .879. He hit 173 doubles, 111 doubles, 421 runs scored, and 453 RBI. At third base, he had a career fielding percentage of .968. He had 4,081 assists and 355 double plays, playing a vital role for the Cardinals in their 2006 World Series championship, and was also key to their World Series run in 2004.

After several conflicts with manager Tony LaRussa, Rolen was traded to the Blue Jays for Troy Glaus.

Rolen was inducted into the Cardinals Hall of Fame in 2019 and could receive good news about being inducted into the national Hall of Fame on Jan. 24.

#1 Ken Boyer

After all Ken Boyer accomplished in his career as a Major League Baseball player, it's criminal that he's not in the national Hall of Fame. Boyer spent 11 seasons with the Cardinals, earning All-Star selections 11 times, National League Gold Glove award for third base in five seasons from 1956-61, and again in 1963.

He was the NL MVP in 1964 after leading the Cardinals to a World Series Championship; Boyer had his big moment for the Cardinals in that World Series and hit a grand slam in Game 4 off Al Downing, giving the Cardinals a 4-3 victory.

While with the Cardinals, Boyer hit .293/.356/.475 with an OPS of .810. He had 269 doubles, 61 triples, 255 home runs, 988 runs scored, and 1,001 RBI. Boyer had 12 career walk-off hits. In 14 seasons at third base, he had 1,567 putouts, 3,652 assists, and 355 double plays with a .952 fielding percentage.

Once his playing career ended, Boyer managed, mostly in the minor leagues, for several seasons.

Boyer passed away in 1982 after a battle with lung cancer. Boyer's number 14 was retired by the Cardinals in 1984. He was inducted into the Cardinals Hall of Fame in 2014. Hopefully, he will be recognized by the national Hall of Fame.