47. Ed Konetchy

Long before the Cardinals became a regular force in the National League, they struggled to find their identity during the Deadball Era. Amid this challenging period, Edward Joseph "Big Ed" Konetchy arrived to serve as the franchise’s first significant cornerstone. When he became a full-time player in 1908, the strong first baseman rapidly gained admiration from renowned managers like John McGraw, who once said that Konetchy alone was almost worth the entire St. Louis team.

Although the Cardinals often finished near the bottom during his seven seasons, Konetchy quietly established himself as one of the most underrated stars of his time. He consistently appeared on the National League leaderboards, ranking in the top ten in batting average three times and driving in enough runs to achieve four top-ten RBI finishes. His only standout achievement was in 1911 when he led the league with 38 doubles, but his overall offensive contribution was evident, earning him four top-ten finishes in bWAR among position players.

What set Konetchy truly apart and elevated him to elite status was his exceptional defense at the cold corner. Using his impressive 6-foot-2 build, he redefined what was expected from a first baseman's defense. Konetchy was incredibly effective, leading National League first basemen in both fielding percentage and range factor per game four times during his time with the St. Louis Cardinals. His reliable hands and strategic positioning turned what was an otherwise weak infield into a solid defensive unit.

Despite his impressive skills, his departure was sudden. Before the 1914 season, contract disagreements and conflicts resulted in his trade to Pittsburgh, and he eventually moved to the rebellious Federal League. His career, spread across six different teams, often causes his significant achievements in St. Louis to be overlooked, especially when compared to the long-time players who came after him. However, at the time of his departure, Konetchy was the franchise's all-time leader in hits, runs, and total bases—serving as a vital source of elite production during critical moments for the team.

In seven seasons in St. Louis (1907–1913), Konetchy played 982 games, with 1,013 hits, 158 doubles, 94 triples, and 36 home runs. He posted a .283/.353/409 line, a 125 OPS+, and stole 151 bases.