28. Ray Lankford

Following a revered world-championship icon is one of the most challenging tasks in professional sports. Yet, Ray Lankford filled the enormous gap left by Willie McGee and established his own unique, dynamic legacy. Drafted in the third round of the 1987 MLB draft by the St. Louis Cardinals, this physically strong outfielder introduced a different build to center field at Busch Memorial Stadium. Unlike his predecessor, who focused on a low-power, high-contact style, Lankford utilized a powerful, left-handed swing combined with exceptional athleticism. His arrival marked the end of the "Whiteyball" era and the beginning of a decade distinguished by a remarkable mix of raw power and exceptional speed.

Lankford established himself as a versatile, top-tier player the moment he secured the everyday center field spot. During his 1991 rookie season, he showcased his elite athleticism by leading the National League with 15 triples and stealing 44 bases. Rather than being limited to a speed-focused player, he quickly demonstrated impressive raw power from the left side of the plate. He then achieved an outstanding stretch of six seasons with at least 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases, becoming a formidable force in the National League throughout the 1990s as a consistent and dangerous middle-of-the-order hitter.

Lankford’s peak as a player was during a remarkable period in the late 1990s. In 1997, he earned a well-deserved spot on the National League All-Star team, a summer where he struck 31 home runs—his career best—and achieved a notable .585 slugging percentage. He reaffirmed this peak with an outstanding 1998 season, hitting 26 home runs, drawing 93 walks, and posting a impressive .915 OPS.

Lankford’s historical profile is marked by contrasting metrics. Traditional analysts focused on his high strikeout count—he exceeded 100 strikeouts 11 times in St. Louis, often lowering his batting average and limiting his raw rank. In contrast, modern advanced metrics regard him as an elite player. His exceptional ability to draw walks resulted in a high .364 on-base percentage, leading to three top-ten finishes in National League Offensive bWAR.

After a June 2001 trade to the Padres, Lankford returned to the Gateway to the West in 2004 for one final chapter. As a veteran off the bench, he offered depth and leadership for a Cardinals team that won the National League pennant before he retired.

Lankford's 13-year St. Louis career included 1,479 hits, 228 homers, 829 RBIs, and 250 stolen bases in 1,580 games. He is the only Cardinals player to hit over 200 home runs and steal over 200 bases. He was Inducted into the team's Hall of Fame in 2018.