40. Whitey Kurowski

When Whitey Kurowski became the regular third baseman for St. Louis in 1942, he entered a lineup aimed at building a dynasty. Although many note his rise coincided with the talent loss during World War II, Kurowski was more than just a temporary substitute. He played a key role on three pennant-winning teams and was selected as an All-Star five years in a row from 1943 to 1947, thanks to his consistent defense and unexpected power at the plate.

His rise paralleled the swift progression of the "St. Louis Swifties" under Billy Southworth's leadership. Kurowski was not a top-ranked prospect when he joined, but he quickly established himself as a key player on a team that won 106 games in 1942 and surprised the Yankees in the World Series. As a rookie, he capped that memorable season with a dramatic moment by hitting a breaking ball from Red Ruffing over the left-field roof at Yankee Stadium in the ninth inning of Game 5. This game-winning hit secured the title for the Cardinals and made him a favorite among St. Louis fans.

During his prime five-year period, Kurowski demonstrated remarkable consistency, accumulating over 150 hits each summer. Unlike the typical slap hitter of his time, he hit more than 20 home runs three times and posted a batting average above .300 in three seasons. His standout season was in 1945, when he led the offense with 21 homers and a .323 batting average, finishing fifth in the National League MVP voting.

Beyond his hitting, Kurowski’s glove provided the Cardinals with a top-tier defensive presence at third base. He twice led all National League third basemen in fielding percentage and ranked among the top four four other times, anchoring an infield that had to handle the expansive and challenging terrain of Sportsman's Park. What makes this defensive consistency even more impressive is that Kurowski played his entire career with part of his right elbow bone missing due to childhood osteomyelitis. Despite this physical limitation, his arm remained a powerful weapon across the diamond.

Just as he was establishing himself as a top third baseman of the 1940s, shoulder problems hampered his performance. The injury led to an early retirement after 1949, ending his nine-year career. Playing his whole career with the Cardinals, Kurowski amassed 925 hits, a .286 average, and three World Series titles.