Distinguished Careers - African American players

Position Players

Lou Brock – Rankings as a Cardinal player: 2nd in runs, 2nd in hits, 10th in RBI’s. Lou Brock is one of the 5 best Cardinal position players ever. He is in the Hall of Fame and the St. Louis Cardinal Hall of Fame. Brock, generally regarded as a speed guy, also had over 100 Home Runs for the Cardinals.

Ozzie Smith – Rankings as a Cardinal player: 6th in runs, 6th in hits, 15th in RBI’s. Ozzie Smith is one of the 10 best Cardinal position players ever. He is in the Hall of Fame and the St. Louis Cardinal Hall of Fame. Although Ozzie is generally regarded as one of the greatest defensive players ever his offensive numbers are also extremely good. His 1987 season is one of the best in St. Louis Cardinal history.

Curt Flood – Rankings as a Cardinal player: 11th in runs, 8th in hits, 18th in RBI’s. Curt Flood is one of the 15 best Cardinal position players ever. He is not in the Hall of Fame nor the Cardinal Hall of Fame. I think he should be in both. He should make the Cardinal Hall of Fame as a player and the national Hall of Fame for his stance when he was traded to the Phillies.

Willie McGee – Rankings as a Cardinal player: 16th in runs, 11th in hits, 14th in RBI’s. Willie McGee is one of the 15 best Cardinal position players of all time. He is not in the Hall of Fame and shouldn’t be but I see no reason why he isn’t in the St. Louis Cardinal Hall of fame.

Ray Lankford – Rankings as a Cardinal player: 9th in runs, 15th in hits, 9th in RBI’s. Ray Lankford is one of the 15 best Cardinal position players of all time. While he lacks the fan support of Willie McGee, he is statistically as good or better. They both will not make the national Hall of Fame but they should both be in the St. Louis Cardinal hall of fame

Bill White – Rankings as a Cardinal player: 25th in Runs, 19th in hits, 19th in RBI’s. Bill White is one of 25 best Cardinal position players of all time. His stats with the Phillies would also qualify him as a distinguished player of color for that team.

George Hendrick – Rankings as a Cardinal player: 41st in Runs, 34th in hits, 24th in RBI’s. George Hendrick is one of the 50 best Cardinal position players of all time. His stats with Cleveland would also qualify him as a distinguished player of color for that team.

Terry Pendleton – Rankings as a Cardinal player: 47th in runs, 41st in hits, 37th in RBI’s. Terry Pendleton is one of the 50 best Cardinal position players of all time. His stats with the Braves would also qualify him as a distinguished person of color with that team.

Vince Coleman – Rankings as a Cardinal player: 28th in Runs, 37th in hits, 89th in RBI’s . Vince Coleman is one of the 50 best Cardinal position players of all time. His stolen base numbers are not only 2nd on the Cardinals but 6th of all time.

Garry Templeton – Rankings as a Cardinal player: 44th in Runs, 40th in hits, 60th in RBI’s. Garry Templeton is one of the 50 best Cardinal position players of all time. His stats with San Diego would also qualify him as a distinguished player of color with that team.

Brian Jordan – Rankings as a Cardinal player: 58th in runs, 59th in hits, 42nd in RBI’s. Brian Jordan is one of the 60 best Cardinal position players of all time. His stats with the Braves would also qualify him as a distinguished player of color with that team.

Bernard Gilkey – Rankings as a Cardinal player: 62nd in runs, 74th in hits, 74th in RBI’s. Bernard Gilkey is one of the 70 best Cardinal position players of all time. His stats with the Mets would also qualify him as a distinguished player of color with that team.

Lonnie Smith – Ranking as a Cardinal player: 73rd in runs, 92nd in hits, 123rd in RBI’s. Lonnie Smith is one of the 100 best Cardinal position players of all time. His stats with Atlanta would also qualify him as a distinguished player of color with that team.

Starters

Bob Gibson – Rankings as a Cardinal Player – 1st in innings, 1st in wins, 1st in strikeouts. Bob Gibson is the best starting pitcher in St. Louis Cardinal history and is in the St. Louis Cardinal Hall of Fame and the national baseball Hall of Fame.

Relievers

Lee Smith – Rankings as a Cardinal Player – 2nd in saves – 2nd in games finished. Lee Smith is in the top 5 relievers in Cardinal history. He should be in the baseball Hall of Fame. His stats with the Cubs and the Red Sox would also qualify him as a distinguished player of color for those teams.

stats compiled from http://www.mlb.com/ and http://www.baseball-reference.com/