ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Cardinals are considered one of the most prestigious franchises across Major League Baseball, ranking second in World Series titles in Major League Baseball history with 11 championships.
While the franchise has featured legends like Albert Pujols, Ozzie Smith, and more, there are only a select number of athletes that are able to state that they spent their entire career with the St. Louis Cardinals.
These are the 9 former Cardinal players that have spent their entire career with the St. louis Cardinals:
OF Ray Blades
Time with the Cardinals: 10 years
Leftfielder Ray Blades was a member of the St. Louis Cardinals from 1922 to 1932. During his 10-year career with the Cardinals, Blades recorded a batting average of 0.301 and hit 50 home runs.
Through his tenure with the Cardinals, Blades made appearances in a total of three World Series, winning one in 1931, according to Baseball Reference. Blades was on the roster of the 1926 World Series team but did not play after a serious knee injury he suffered earlier in the year.
Blades also served as a manager for the Cardinals multiple times throughout his career. Blades served as a player-coach for the team from 1930 to 1932, managed the minor league teams from 1933 to 1938, and returned to manage the Cardinals in 1939 and 1940 before being fired after a 14-24 start.
OF/3B Pepper Martin
Time with the Cardinals: 13 years
Nicknamed the “Wild Horse of the Osage,” outfielder and third baseman Pepper Martin was a member of the St. Louis Cardinals from 1928 to 1944. During his 13-year tenure with the Cardinals, Martin recorded a batting average of .298, hit a total of 59 home runs, and led the league in stolen bases in three different seasons.
During his time with the Cardinals, Martin made appearances in a total of three World Series, winning two in 1931 and 1934, according to Major League Baseball. Additionally, Martin was a four-time All-Star and was named AP Male Athlete of the Year in 1931.
Martin was inducted into the Cardinals Hall of Fame in 2017, alongside Mark McGwire and Tim McCarver.
CF Terry Moore
Time with the Cardinals: 11 years
Centerfielder Terry Moore was a member of the St. Louis Cardinals for 11 years from 1935 to 1948, missing 3 years from 1943 to 1945 due to military service. During his 11-year tenure with the Cardinals, Moore recorded a batting average of .280 and hit a total of 80 home runs.
During his time with the Cardinals, Moore was a four-time All-star and went on to win two World Series in 1942 and 1946, according to Major League Baseball (MLB). Additionally, Moore was manager for the Cardinals from 1949 to 1952 and again from 1956 to 1958.
Moore was inducted into the Cardinals Hall of Fame in 2016, alongside Chris Carpenter, Joe Torre, and Sam Breadon.
OF/1B Stan Musial
Time with the Cardinals: 22 years
Nicknamed “The Man,” outfielder Stan Musial is considered one of the greatest and most prolific St. Louis Cardinals of all time. Musial spent 22 years with the organization from 1941 to 1963, making him the longest-tenured Cardinal of all time.
During his time with the Cardinals, Musial appeared in a record 24 All-Star Games (with two per season from 1959 to 1962), won three NL MVP awards, and won a total of three World Series in 1942, 1944, and 1946, according to Major League Baseball. Additionally, Musial won the Lou Gehrig Award and Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year in 1957.
Musial was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969 and was inducted into the inaugural Cardinals Hall of Fame class in 2014, alongside 21 other members.
LHP Al Brazle
Time with the Cardinals: 10 years
Nicknamed “Cotton,” pitcher Al Brazle was a member of the St. Louis Cardinals for 10 seasons from 1943 to 1954. Brazle did not make his major league debut until he was 29 years old in 1943, and then after his rookie year, he missed two seasons due to military service.
During his 10-year career with the Cardinals, Brazle recorded a career earned run average (ERA) of 3.31 with 97 wins and 64 losses through 10 seasons. Brazle appeared in two World Series for the Cardinals, winning one in 1946.
RHP Bob Gibson
Time with the Cardinals: 17 years
Considered one of the best pitchers in Cardinals history, Gibson played for the St. Louis Cardinals for 17 seasons from 1959 to 1975. In his career, Gibson had an ERA of 2.91 with 251 wins and 174 losses, according to MLB.
During his tenure with the Cardinals, Gibson was a 9-time All-Star, a 9-time Gold Glove Award winner, a one-time Babe Ruth Award winner, and he won two World series championships, winning MVP honors in both wins.
Musial was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981 and was inducted into the inaugural Cardinals Hall of Fame class in 2014, alongside 21 other members.
C/1B Tom Pagnozzi
Time with the Cardinals: 12 years
Catcher and first baseman Tom Pagnozzi was a member of the St. Louis Cardinals for 12 seasons from 1987 to 1998. Pagnozzi was drafted by the team in the eighth round of the 1983 Amateur Draft and was known for his defense, according to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.
During his 13-year tenure, Pagnozzi recorded a batting average of .253, hit a total of 44 home runs, and was named an All-Star in 1992. Additionally, Pagnozzi was a three-time Gold Glove winner, earning the award in 1991, 1992, and 1994.
C Yadier Molina
Time with the Cardinals: 19 years
Catcher Yadier Molina, one of the most beloved players in Cardinals history, played for the organization for 19 years from 2004 to 2022. Drafted in the fourth round of the 2000 MLB Amateur Draft, Molina recorded a batting average of .277 and hit a total of 176 home runs.
In his first 10 years with the organization, Molina appeared in a total of four World Series, winning two of them in 2006 and 2011, according to MLB. Throughout his career, Molina was a 10-time All-Star, a 9-time Gold Glove winner, and a recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award in 2018 for his humanitarian work off the field.
Retiring in 2022, Molina is expected to make the National Baseball Hall of Fame when he becomes eligible in 2028.
RHP Adam Wainwright
Time with the Cardinals: 18 years
Regarded as one of the best pitchers in Cardinals history, Adam Wainwright spent the entirety of his major-league career with the Cardinals after being drafted by the Atlanta Braves and later traded to St. Louis. Wainwright would go on to play 18 years with the Cardinals from 2005 to 2022.
In his career, Wainwright had an ERA of 3.53 with 200 wins and 128 losses, according to Baseball Reference. During his tenure with the Cardinals, Wainwright was a 3-time All-Star, a 2-time Gold Glove Award winner, and won the Roberto Clemente Award in 2020 for his humanitarian work off the field.
Wainwright was also a part of the World Series title in 2006. Despite missing the entire championship season in 2011 due to Tommy John surgery, the Cardinals gifted Wainwright a championship ring for his contributions to the team.
Following his retirement, Wainwright transitioned over to the music industry, dropping an album, “Hey Y’all,” in Feb. 2024.