37. Joe Torre

Joe Torre's legacy is forever tied to his role as the calm, stoic manager of the late 1990s Bronx dynasty, leading the Yankees to four world titles from the dugout. However, this iconic chapter often clouds just how formidable he was when wielding a bat himself. Long before he crafted lineups, Torre was a top-tier threat in the National League. As a five-time All-Star catcher with the Braves, a significant March 1969 trade sent him to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for Orlando Cepeda. In St. Louis, his exceptional versatility became a key asset for the team. To keep his powerful bat active, he was moved to first base, then to behind the plate after a Tim McCarver trade, and finally across the field to third base—all while maintaining his effective offensive output.

Torre consistently stayed a prominent figure on the national stage, earning All-Star honors in four of his six summers in Missouri. He combined reliable contact with a powerful swing, nearly reaching elite levels in 1970 with 203 hits and a .325 batting average.

Where Torre truly shone was his unforgettable 1971 season. Playing at third base, he challenged and conquered opposing National League pitchers, winning the batting title with a fantastic .363 average, while also topping all of baseball with 230 hits and driving in 137 RBIs. His relentless era dominance in 1971 made him an absolute lock for postseason accolades. Registering a massive .421 on-base percentage and a heavy .552 slugging mark, Torre easily captured the 1971 National League Most Valuable Player Award, cementing his status as the premier offensive engine in the country.

Although his offensive numbers gradually declined to more typical levels in his later summers with St. Louis, his reliable contact-hitting ability stayed an essential constant. Following the 1974 season, the front office traded the veteran star to the New York Mets, where he became a player-manager and embarked on the legendary coaching career that shaped his later years.

In St. Louis, Torre accumulated 1,087 hits, 98 home runs, and 558 RBIs alongside a superb .308 batting average across 920 games.  In 2014, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame for his contributions as a Manager.