Top three has got to include Musial and Gibson and after that number three boils down to either Ozzie or Albert.

Musial, Hornsby, Gibson

DG,

Hornsby, Musial and Gibby are the top selections (not in that order). I don’t think there is any question. To have seen 2 of the 3 greatest Cardinals play in 3 Busch Stadiums has been a privilege. Albert may earn his way onto this list but he has quite a few years to go.

In a slam dunk I have to agree with you DG. The Players you picked came to mind when I first started reading your article. In fairness to the players of the dead ball era I had to cast a vote toward Hornsby for the third slot. He led the Cards to their first World Series title in 1926. He was Branch Ricky’s first defining gem of a player.

Musial has to be number one for so many reasons. But to make this brief how about the well known fact that Stan the Man was a Cardinal his entire career and played in 24 ALLSTAR games during his HOF 22 year career.

I cast my second vote for Bob Gibson. He also played his entire career in St. Louis. His Hall of Fame feats are many also. But my gosh we BIRD LAND birds all should know what a fearsome competitor Gibby was. I loved his attitude with ball players from the other team. He treated them as an enemy. No fraternizing with the other side. Also, when he took the ball he was not looking for bullpen help to get him a win. He planned on pitching NINE every game. Another era gone by. I miss that era so much. The love of money has taken much of the flavor out of the game.

But here they are in Bird Land pecking order:

Stan “the Man” Musial
Bob Gibson
Rogers Hornsby

Very special mention to Lou Brock AND Ozzie Smith. We’ll see where Pujols lands when his career is over. Hopefully the HOF will have number 5 landing in it one day wearing the Birds on the Bat also.

There are clearly five players on this list. Musial is automatic. Gibson, Hornsby, Ozzie and Pujols are the other four. It’s a tough cut down to three. Gibby seems obvious, but you can make a case for Hornsby and Pujols instead. It’s the impossible argument of pitchers vs. hitters. Ozzie is probably the easiest (yet difficult) cut of the five, which tells you what a tough list it is.

Even without projecting anything, in a career of eight season, I think you have to include Albert. He already brings almost everything to the table that the other top candidates have.

– Leader of the team in an era that includes a World Championship and post season in five of seven seasons.
– Offensive monster. No need to preach to the choir on this one.
– Gold glover. Won the award in only his third full season at first base, which must be something close to unprecedented. (Aside: Thinking of otheres winning GGs at new positions, Mark Grudzielanek won it in KC in his seventh season at 2B.)
– Highly decorated career. 1 MVP (should be two, maybe three), 1 GG, rookie of the year, batting title.

The only thing lacking for Albert is longevity, if eight years isn’t good enough for you. Hornsby had “only” 11 full seasons in St. Louis, leaving at age 30. It’s no knock on the Rajah, but he only played part of his best seasons in St. Louis, so that’s one reason to favor the others. I would rather list five, but if it has to be three:

Musial
Pujols
Gibson

1. Musial
2. Gibson
3. Ozzie
3A. Brock

Right now is has to be:

Musial Gibson Hornsby

You can’t put Albert on their just yet. He will likely end up on their and may crack into the top two, or even the top. But we have to wait until his numbers flesh out.

Hornsby was player/manager of our first World Title team. He hit over .400 a few times. He was the inspiration for Ted Williams hitting style.

I think you also have to take championships into account. Part of what makes Musial so fantastic is not that he was our best hitter, but that he had the most successful run as our star player. Let’s hope Albert will give Stan a run for his money

It is difficult, indeed, to pick only three. Musial is a lock, of course, and it would be impossible to argue with Gibson. But who is number 3? A case can be made for most of those others have chosen, so it is more a matter of deciding who to leave off. In my list, I drop Hornsby and Ozzie as they both had part of their career elsewhere. If Carlton had stayed longer with the Cardinals, he would fit that description as well. One name I haven’t seen but who, I believe, deserves mention is Curt Flood. He remains my all-time favorite Cardinal center fielder, but doesn’t make my top three. Only injury keeps Dizzy off the list. My pick for right now is Lou Brock at number 3. But my prediction is that in another 10 years, number three will go to big number 5, Albert Pujols. So:

1. Musial
2. Gibson
3. Brock (until 2018, then Pujols)

Musial and Gibson are the obvious top two. Not counting Albert yet, the number 3 slot is a bit tougher and more open to personal choice. The 80’s were my favorite Cardinal era and Ozzie was my favorite player so I am going with him for the number 3 slot. Hard for me to leave out Lou as he was my favorite 70’s era player.

Who else could it be. Gibby is one of the best pitchers ever. And Stan the Man, Mr. Cardinal. Hornsby is the name anyone who knows Cardinal Baseball would name. Good call