Here’s a bold statement: ranking the 10 best individual seasons for the St. Louis Cardinals over the past quarter-century is an impossible task. But here’s where it gets controversial—since the year 2000, the Cardinals have fielded a Hall of Famer every single season, and narrowing down their performances to just 10 is, frankly, a fool’s errand. Yet, here I am, ready to take on the challenge and be that fool for you. Why? Because the Cardinals’ legacy is too rich to ignore, and their players’ achievements demand celebration.
My goal is simple: to rank the 10 most outstanding individual seasons for the Cardinals since 2000. And this is the part most people miss—this list isn’t about indisputable facts; it’s about nuanced comparisons, hours of research, and dissecting minute differences between players. For instance, how do you compare 2019 Jack Flaherty’s strikeout dominance to the consistency of Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright in the 2000s and 2010s? Or how do you weigh Nolan Arenado’s 2022 defensive brilliance against Paul Goldschmidt’s otherworldly bat? And let’s not even get started on the temptation to include Albert Pujols’s first 10 seasons—every single one could make this list.
Despite these challenges, I’ve compiled a list that I believe stands up to scrutiny. But here’s the kicker—I’m not taking recommendations or complaints. My efforts here deserve recognition, not revision. If you’re curious about the Cardinals’ All-Quarter Century Team, check out Josh Jacobs’ story on Redbird Rants (https://redbirdrants.com/cardinals-all-quarter-century-team-after-25-years-of-historic-baseball).
Before diving into the top 10, let’s acknowledge some honorable mentions that just missed the cut:
- 2001 Matt Morris: 22-8, 3.16 ERA, 216.1 IP, 185 Ks, 137 ERA+, CYA-3, All-Star, 4.1 bWAR.
- 2004 Albert Pujols: .359/.439/.667, 43 HRs, 124 RBIs, 187 OPS+, MVP-2, Silver Slugger, All-Star, 8.5 bWAR.
- 2005 Albert Pujols: .330/.430/.609, 41 HRs, 117 RBIs, 171 OPS+, NL MVP, Silver Slugger, All-Star, 8.4 bWAR.
- 2013 Matt Carpenter: .318/.392/.481, 55 doubles, 140 OPS+, MVP-4, Silver Slugger, All-Star, 6.6 bWAR.
- 2022 Paul Goldschmidt: .317/.404/.578, 35 HRs, 115 RBIs, 181 OPS+, NL MVP, Silver Slugger, All-Star, 7.7 bWAR.
- 2022 Albert Pujols: .270/.345/.550, 151 OPS+, 24 HRs (reaching 703 for his career), All-Star.
Now, let’s kick off the list with #10: 2012 Yadier Molina. Winning a Platinum Glove, posting a .874 OPS as a catcher, and finishing with the tenth-best fWAR total since 2000 is no small feat. In 2012, Yadi slashed .315/.373/.501 with 22 home runs, 76 RBIs, and a career-high 12 stolen bases. He was an All-Star, finished fourth in NL MVP voting, and his defensive value was unparalleled—his 33.4 FanGraphs defensive mark is the third-best for any position player since 2000. But here’s the emotional hook—this season was special because it marked Yadi’s rise as the Cardinals’ leader after Albert Pujols’s departure to Los Angeles. It wasn’t just about stats; it was about stepping into a void and becoming the heart of the team.
So, what do you think? Did I miss someone who should’ve made the list? Or is Yadi’s 2012 season as deserving as I claim? Let me know in the comments—I’m ready for the debate!
