The Best Post WWII Players for the Giants, Phillies, Pirates and the Cardinals

In this week's edition of the best Post-WWI Major League Baseball players, we cover the last four of the eight legacy teams in the National League. Those teams included the NY/San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, and St. Louis Cardinals. 

Undoubtedly, there are names on this list that will generate controversy. Aside from the controversial inclusions, some were among the best to ever play the game, one who was great but could have had even greater stats on and off the field, and one really bad-ass pitcher!

🔟 Top 10 Giants Players Since 1946

1. Willie Mays (CF, 1951–1972)

• 24× All-Star, 2× MVP (1954, 1965)
• 660 HR, 3,283 hits, 338 SB, 12 Gold Gloves
• Played in both New York and San Francisco
• One of the greatest all-around players in baseball history
• Hall of Fame, 1979

2. Barry Bonds (LF, 1993–2007)

• 5× NL MVP with Giants (7 overall)
• 586 HR, .312 AVG, .482 OBP, .666 SLG with SF
• Most feared hitter in MLB history, holds HR and walk records
• Legacy clouded by PEDs, but performance unmatched

3. Willie McCovey (1B, 1959–1980, 1986)

• 1969 NL MVP, 521 HR, 1,555 RBI
• .889 OPS, known for towering power
• Namesake of “McCovey Cove” at Oracle Park
• Hall of Fame, 1986

4. Juan Marichal (P, 1960–1973)

• 243–142, 2.89 ERA, 2,303 strikeouts
• 10× All-Star, known for high leg kick and pinpoint control
• One of the most dominant and stylish pitchers of the 1960s
• Hall of Fame, 1983

5. Buster Posey (C, 2009–2021)

• 2012 NL MVP, 7× All-Star, 3× World Series champion (2010, 2012, 2014)
• 2010 NL Rookie of the Year, .302 career AVG
• Defensive leader and heart of Giants’ dynasty
• One of the best catchers of the 21st century

6. Orlando Cepeda (1B, 1958–1966)

• 1958 NL Rookie of the Year, 7× All-Star (6 with SF)
• .308 AVG, 226 HR with Giants
• Later won 1967 NL MVP (Cardinals), but elite in SF
• Hall of Fame, 1999

7. Matt Cain (P, 2005–2017)

• 2× All-Star, 3× World Series champion
• Pitched perfect game in 2012
• Clutch postseason performer and workhorse
• Team leader and mentor in Giants’ golden era

8. Madison Bumgarner (P, 2009–2019)

• 2014 World Series MVP, 3× World Series champion
• 2.11 career postseason ERA, 0.25 in World Series (!), including historic Game 7 save
• 4× All-Star, feared playoff pitcher
• Among best postseason performers in MLB history

9. Gaylord Perry (P, 1962–1971)

• 2× Cy Young (1 with Giants), 134 wins with SF
• Known for alleged spitball, but effectiveness was real
• 3.10 ERA, over 1,600 strikeouts with SF
• Hall of Fame, 1991

10. Jeff Kent (2B, 1997–2002)

• 2000 NL MVP, 3× All-Star with Giants
• MLB’s all-time HR leader among second basemen (377 overall, 175 with SF)
• Paired with Bonds for elite 1–2 punch in early 2000s

🏅 Honorable Mentions

• Mel Ott – Much of his career pre-1946, but NY icon
• J.T. Snow – Solid 1B, defensive standout
• Hunter Pence – Clubhouse leader in 2010s
• Tim Lincecum – 2× Cy Young, 2 no-hitters, short but historic peak
• Brandon Crawford – 3× Gold Glove, 2× All-Star, key postseason SS
• Roberto Clemente (brief Giants connection only)

✅ Giants Mount Rushmore Since 1946

1. Willie Mays
2. Barry Bonds
3. Willie McCovey
4. Buster Posey

🔟 Top 10 Philadelphia Phillies Players Since 1946

1. Mike Schmidt (3B, 1972–1989)

• 3× NL MVP (1980, 1981, 1986), 12× All-Star, 10 Gold Gloves
• 548 HR, 1,595 RBI, elite defense and power
• 1980 World Series champion & MVP
• Hall of Fame, 1995 — widely considered the best 3B in MLB history

2. Steve Carlton (P, 1972–1986)

• 4× Cy Young (all with Phillies), 10× All-Star
• 241 wins, 3,031 Ks with Philadelphia
• 1980 World Series champion, legendary lefty with devastating slider
• Hall of Fame, 1994

3. Jimmy Rollins (SS, 2000–2014)

• 2007 NL MVP, 3× All-Star, 4× Gold Glove
• Franchise leader in hits, runs, and doubles
• Key catalyst of the 2008 World Series champions

4. Chase Utley (2B, 2003–2015)

• 6× All-Star, 4× Silver Slugger
• .282 AVG, 233 HR with Phillies
• One of the best all-around 2B of his era
• Elite postseason performer and heart of the 2008 team

5. Robin Roberts (P, 1948–1961)

• 7× All-Star, 1950 Whiz Kids ace
• 234 wins, led NL in wins 4×, innings 5×
• Hall of Fame, 1976

6. Ryan Howard (1B, 2004–2016)

• 2006 NL MVP, 2005 NL Rookie of the Year
• 382 HR, 1,194 RBI, 3× All-Star
• Key slugger on 2008 champs, 2009 NL champs
• Fastest player ever to reach 100 and 200 HR

7. Richie Ashburn (CF, 1948–1959)

• 2× NL batting champion, 6× All-Star
• Elite OBP (.396 with Phillies), great speed and defense
• Hall of Fame, 1995
• Beloved Philly icon on and off the field

8. Cole Hamels (P, 2006–2015)

• 2008 World Series MVP and NLCS MVP
• 114 wins, 3.30 ERA, 1,844 Ks with Phillies
• 4× All-Star, postseason ace of 2008 team

9. Dick Allen (1B/3B, 1963–1969, 1975–76)

• 1964 NL Rookie of the Year, 3× All-Star with Phillies
• Hit .290 with 204 HR, .902 OPS in Philadelphia
• One of the most feared hitters of the 1960s
• Long-overlooked Hall of Fame candidate

10. Bryce Harper (RF/DH, 2019–present)

• 2021 NL MVP, 2× All-Star (so far) with Phillies
• .284 AVG, 122 HR, .946 OPS in first 5 seasons
• Key piece of the 2022 NL champions
• On pace to become an all-time Phillies great

🏅 Honorable Mentions

• Curt Schilling – 3× All-Star, 1,554 Ks with Phillies
• Greg Luzinski – 223 HR, 4× All-Star
• Bobby Abreu – .303 AVG, .928 OPS over 9 seasons
• John Kruk – .309 AVG and a fan favorite
• Tug McGraw – Closer for 1980 champions
• Aaron Nola – Longtime ace of the 2010s and 2020s
• Pete Rose – Leader of 1980 title team, short tenure but huge impact

✅ Phillies Mount Rushmore Since 1946

1. Mike Schmidt
2. Steve Carlton
3. Jimmy Rollins
4. Chase Utley

1. Roberto Clemente (RF, 1955–1972)

• 15× All-Star, 12 Gold Gloves, 1966 NL MVP
• 3,000 hits, .317 AVG, cannon arm in right field
• 1971 World Series MVP, led Pirates to two championships
• Died tragically in 1972 while on a humanitarian mission
• Hall of Fame, 1973 (inducted via special election)

2. Willie Stargell (1B/LF, 1962–1982)

• 1979 NL MVP, 7× All-Star
• 475 HR, 1,540 RBI, spiritual leader of the “We Are Family” Pirates
• Co-MVP of the 1979 NLCS and World Series MVP
• Hall of Fame, 1988

3. Barry Bonds (LF, 1986–1992)

• 2× NL MVP with Pirates (1990, 1992)
• 176 HR, 251 SB, .288/.408/.556 in Pittsburgh
• Best all-around player in baseball in the early '90s
• Left in free agency, legacy more tied to Giants but peak began in Pittsburgh

4. Andrew McCutchen (CF, 2009–2017, 2023–present)

• 2013 NL MVP, 5× All-Star, 4× Silver Slugger, Gold Glove
• Face of the Pirates’ return to the postseason (2013–15)
• .291 AVG, 203 HR in first stint
• Among most beloved modern Pirates

5. Bill Mazeroski (2B, 1956–1972)

• 10× All-Star, 8× Gold Glove
• Best known for hitting the walk-off HR in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series
• One of the greatest defensive second basemen in history
• Hall of Fame, 2001

6. Ralph Kiner (LF, 1946–1953)

• Led NL in HRs 7 straight seasons (1946–1952)
• .280 AVG, 301 HR in just 8 seasons with Pirates
• Hall of Fame, 1975
• Short career, but legendary power

7. Dave Parker (RF, 1973–1983)

• 1978 NL MVP, 2× batting champ, 3× Gold Glove
• .305 AVG, 166 HR, 722 RBI with Pirates
• Key figure on 1979 World Series champions

8. Bob Friend (P, 1951–1965)

• 191 wins with Pittsburgh, 3.55 ERA
• 1955 NL ERA leader, 4× All-Star
• Longtime ace for the Pirates during their rise in the 1950s

9. Vernon Law (P, 1950–1967)

• 1960 NL Cy Young winner, 20–9 record that year
• 162 career wins, 3.77 ERA
• Crucial in the 1960 championship run

10. Manny Sanguillén (C, 1967–1976, 1978–1980)

• 3× All-Star, .296 career AVG
• Strong defense and excellent contact hitter
• Important piece of 1971 and 1979 World Series teams

🏅 Honorable Mentions

• Elroy Face – Dominant reliever in the 1950s, 18–1 record in 1959
• Doug Drabek – 1990 NL Cy Young, ace of early '90s playoff teams
• Jason Kendall – .306 AVG in first 7 seasons, 3× All-Star
• Kent Tekulve – Closer for 1979 champs
• Brian Giles – .308 AVG, .426 OBP with Pirates in late ’90s
• Matty Alou – 1966 NL batting champ

✅ Pirates Mount Rushmore Since 1946

1. Roberto Clemente
2. Willie Stargell
3. Bill Mazeroski
4. Andrew McCutch

🔟 Top 10 Cardinals Players Since 1946

1. Stan Musial (OF/1B, 1941–1963)

• Played all 22 seasons in St. Louis (except military service in 1945)
• 3× NL MVP, 24× All-Star, 7 batting titles
• 3,630 hits (1,815 home, 1,815 road), .331 AVG, 475 HR
• 1950s cornerstone and all-time franchise icon
• Hall of Fame, 1969

2. Albert Pujols (1B, 2001–2011, 2022)

• 3× NL MVP, 2× Gold Glove, 11× All-Star with STL
• 469 HR, 1,400+ RBI with Cardinals
• .328/.420/.617 slash in first 11 years
• Key to 2006 and 2011 World Series championships
• Hall of Fame lock

3. Bob Gibson (P, 1959–1975)

• 2× Cy Young, 1968 NL MVP, 9× Gold Glove
• 251 wins, 3,117 Ks, 1.12 ERA in 1968
• 2× World Series MVP (1964, 1967)
• Fierce competitor, dominant postseason force
• Hall of Fame, 1981

4. Yadier Molina (C, 2004–2022)

• 10× All-Star, 9× Gold Glove, 2× World Series champion (2006, 2011)
• Franchise leader in games caught, postseason games played
• Elite defense, game-calling, leadership
• Future Hall of Famer

5. Ozzie Smith (SS, 1982–1996)

• 13× Gold Glove, 15× All-Star, acrobatic defender
• .272 AVG with speed and flair
• Key to 1982 World Series win, 3 NL pennants
• Hall of Fame, 2002

6. Lou Brock (LF, 1964–1979)

• 938 stolen bases (2nd all-time), 3,023 hits
• 6× All-Star, clutch postseason hitter
• Led Cardinals to 2 World Series titles
• Hall of Fame, 1985

7. Ken Boyer (3B, 1955–1965)

• 1964 NL MVP, 7× All-Star, 5× Gold Glove
• 255 HR, 1,001 RBI with Cardinals
• Captain of 1964 World Series champions

8. Jim Edmonds (CF, 2000–2007)

• 4× Gold Glove, 3× All-Star with STL
• 241 HR, .903 OPS, highlight-reel defense
• Big part of early 2000s powerhouse teams and 2006 champs

9. Matt Holliday (LF, 2009–2016)

• .293 AVG, 156 HR, 4× All-Star with Cardinals
• Key slugger during playoff runs from 2009–15
• Helped win 2011 World Series

10. Chris Carpenter (P, 2004–2012)

• 2005 NL Cy Young, 3× All-Star
• Postseason ace, 2006 and 2011 World Series champion
• 95–44, 3.07 ERA with STL
• Huge Game 7 performance in 2011 NLDS

🏅 Honorable Mentions

• Adam Wainwright – 200 wins, 3× All-Star, clutch postseason pitcher
• Joe Medwick – Pre-1946 peak, but franchise legend
• Ted Simmons – 6× All-Star catcher
• Keith Hernandez – 1979 NL batting champ, 1982 champ
• Mark McGwire – 220 HR in 4½ seasons, but PEDs cloud legacy
• Curt Flood – 7× Gold Glove, civil rights pioneer

✅ Cardinals Mount Rushmore Since 1946

1. Stan Musial
2. Bob Gibson
3. Albert Pujols
4. Yadier Molina