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More than 70 years before Aloe Blacc’s hit single “The Man” was released, there was a prodigious singles hitter that earned the same moniker playing baseball in the National League. Stan “The Man” Musial’s hitting prowess helped lead the St. Louis Cardinals to three of their eleven World Series wins.

Born in Donora, Pennsylvania, Musial was signed by the Cardinals as a pitcher in 1938, but made his MLB debut in 1941 playing the outfield. At the time of his retirement in 1963, the three-time MVP held or shared 29 National League records.

CARDINALS ALL-TIME ROSTER

In 22 years with the Cards, Musial amassed 128.1 WAR (wins above replacement). The franchise’s next biggest WAR contributions on the all-time roster came from second baseman Rogers Hornsby (91.4) and first baseman Albert Pujols (86.4).

Stan Musial leads St Louis Cardinals all-time roster by WAR

Here we present the entire Cardinals lineup constructed entirely by choosing the player with the team’s highest WAR at each position, including a rotation of three starting pitchers and one reliever.

CATCHER: TED SIMMONS

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Seasons
0
Hits
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RBIs

Wins Above Replacement: 44.8

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FIRST BASE: ALBERT PUJOLS

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Seasons
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Hits
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RBIs

Wins Above Replacement: 86.4

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SECOND BASE: ROGERS HORNSBY

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Seasons
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Hits
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RBIs

Wins Above Replacement: 91.4

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THIRD BASE: KEN BOYER

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Seasons
0
Hits
0
RBIs

Wins Above Replacement: 58.0

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SHORTSTOP: OZZIE SMITH

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Seasons
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Hits
0
RBIs

Wins Above Replacement: 65.6

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OUTFIELD: STAN MUSIAL

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Seasons
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Hits
0
RBIs

Wins Above Replacement: 128.1

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OUTFIELD: ENOS SLAUGHTER

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Seasons
0
Hits
0
RBIs

Wins Above Replacement: 50.3

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OUTFIELD: CURT FLOOD

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Seasons
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Hits
0
RBIs

Wins Above Replacement: 42.2

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PITCHER: BOB GIBSON

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Seasons
0
Wins
0
Losses

Wins Above Replacement: 81.9

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PITCHER: HARRY BRECHEEN

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Seasons
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Wins
0
Losses

Wins Above Replacement: 38.6

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PITCHER: DIZZY DEAN

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Seasons
0
Wins
0
Losses

Wins Above Replacement: 38.5

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RELIEF PITCHER: LINDY MCDANIEL

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Seasons
0
Games
0
Saves

Wins Above Replacement: 11.2

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