21. Marty Marion

To grasp the extent of the St. Louis Cardinals' dominance in the 1940s, one needs to focus on the heart of their defense—shortstop Marty Marion. Standing at 6-foot-2 and Lanky, Marion redefined defensive play. Unlike most middle infielders of his time, who were stocky, his unusually long arms, broad wingspan, and extensive lateral coverage made him seem more like an inescapable defensive force on the field. It wasn't long before both opposing managers and teammates gave him a fitting nickname: "The Octopus."

While his peers boasted powerful bats, Marion primarily built the St. Louis dynasty through his exceptional glove work. He led the National League in Defensive bWAR three times and was a top contender with five runner-up finishes. Even decades after his final pitch, he ranks consistently in the top twenty all-time for defensive value in major league history. Although his career batting average of .263 and 36 home runs during his time with St. Louis seem modest today, they were quite impressive for a top shortstop of that era. His skill at hitting gaps for doubles and performing situational sacrifices made him a reliable presence in the lineup's lower end.

Marion’s career was profoundly shaped by WWII. A childhood leg fracture left him with a lasting disability, disqualifying him from military service. While many baseball stars headed off to fight, Marion remained a key pre-war figure in the majors. His exceptional fielding peaked in 1944, where he used his remarkable range to dominate offensively and led the team to 105 wins. His outstanding performance earned him the 1944 National League MVP, despite his limited batting. Marion wasn't just a regular-season marvel. He served as the defensive backbone of three World Series championship rosters (1942, 1944, and 1946), making him one of the winningest and most impactful core players in franchise history.

Marion’s impact in St. Louis went beyond his playing years, as he briefly managed the team during the 1951 transition season before ending his career with the St. Louis Browns. Over his impressive 11-year tenure with the Cardinals, he amassed 1,402 hits, 257 doubles, and was selected to the All-Star team eight times.

Marion was inducted into the Cardinals Hall of Fame in the first year of its existence in 2014.