Backup OF: Joe Medwick (1932-1940; 1947-1948)
Joseph Medwick made his debut with the Cardinals in 1932 in left field. “Ducky” as they called him, was known for swinging at nearly every pitch thrown. Despite that, in 1934, he hit .319 with 18 home runs and 106 RBI. His career took off from there.
In 1936, Medwick set a National League record with 64 doubles that still stands today. He also holds the major league record for consecutive seasons with 40 or more doubles. Medwick went on to win the National League Triple Crown in 1937 as well as the National League MVP award. He remains to this day, the last National League player the win the Triple Crown.
Medwick was also known for playing harder than most. He is the only player known to this day to be thrown out of a game for his own personal safety. In the seventh game of the 1934 World Series, Medwick slid into third base on a triple pretty hard. He was ordered out of the game after the Detroit fans began pelting Medwick with garbage.
Ducky was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1968. He was made a member of the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame in 2014. With his hard-nosed attitude and his top tier talent to hit the ball into the gap, he makes the Cardinals all-time roster.