Yes, we know that this is taking a while!

As many of you know, we at Notinhalloffame.com are slowly generating the top 50 of each major North American sports team. That being said, we maintain and update our existing Top 50 lists annually.  We are pleased to present our pre-2026 revision of our top 50 St. Louis Cardinals.

As for all of our top 50 players in baseball, we look at the following: 

1.  Duration and Impact.

2.  Traditional statistics and how they finished in Major League Baseball.

3.  Advanced Statistics.

4.  Playoff performance.

5. Their respective legacy on the team.

6. How successful the team was when he was there.

7. Respecting the era in which they played.

Criteria 1-4 will make up the lion’s share of the algorithm.  Please note that we have implemented this for the first time.  This has changed the rankings all throughout the board.

Last year, the Cardinals had a losing record of 78-84 and limped to a fourth-place finish in the National League Central.  As a team with a century-plus history and in a rebuilding state, there were no new entrants and no active players; however, the new algorithm showed fluctuations in the list.

As always, we present our top five, which saw no changes.

1. Stan Musial
2. Albert Pujols
3. Rogers Hornsby
4. Bob Gibson
5. Ozzie Smith

You can find the entire list here.

We thank you for your continued support of our lists on Notinhalloffame.com.

When Kevin Gausman signed a five-year, $110 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays before the 2022 season, he had a clear, high-stakes goal: to fill the role left by Cy Young winner Robbie Ray and provide the team with a reliable, top-tier pitcher. Ray was known for his unpredictable, high-energy style, while Gausman offers a very different presence—calm, precise, with a focus on a deceptive four-seam fastball and an almost unhittable splitter, which has become one of baseball's most formidable pitches. Over his first four seasons with Toronto, this right-handed pitcher has significantly transformed the Blue Jays' pitching identity.

His early years in Canada showcased elite run suppression and advanced metrics. Gausman quickly overcame any transition hurdles, establishing himself at the top of the rotation with an impressive 2.35 FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) in 2022, demonstrating his world-class efficiency. In 2023, he reached an even higher level, leading the American League with 237 strikeouts. His outstanding performance earned him an All-Star selection, a spot on the All-MLB Second Team, and a third-place finish in the AL Cy Young voting, solidifying his popularity at Rogers Centre.

Despite a frustrating 2024 campaign marked by minor physical setbacks and typical statistical decline, Gausman demonstrated remarkable resilience, paving the way for a strong and durable rebound in the 2025 season. He consistently took the mound with unwavering reliability, serving as the dependable veteran leader for an assertive Blue Jays team that fought their way into October baseball. His season highlight was an exceptional performance on September 11 against Houston, where he pitched a two-hit complete game shutout using only 100 pitches and achieved a historic 79% strike rate, setting new modern organizational records.

Gausman carried that momentum into a deep 2025 postseason, guiding Toronto to a thrilling seven-game World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Acting as a true October ace, he made six appearances—five starts—and pitched 30.2 innings, setting a new franchise record for postseason innings. Gausman dominated top lineups with a remarkable 2.93 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP, limiting opponents to a .159 batting average. His outstanding performance included a classic 8-strikeout game in the World Series, where he matched historic MLB records by striking out all eight batters in the first three innings.

Gausman enters 2026 on the final season of his deal, and he is looking to bring the Jays back to the playoffs.

When George Springer put pen to paper on a historic six-year, $150 million blockbuster contract in January 2021, the Toronto Blue Jays weren't just purchasing elite outfield production; they were buying an architectural foundation. The franchise needed a proven, battle-tested standard to lead a highly talented but unproven young core out of the rebuilding wilderness and into October relevance. Over his first five seasons north of the border, the charismatic, high-velocity outfielder has delivered on that mandate, serving as the definitive cultural bridge and top-of-the-order lightning rod at Rogers Centre.

Springer's journey through Toronto has been a striking mix of exceptional talent, resilience, and a remarkable late-career transformation. His early seasons with the team showcased explosive productivity when he was healthy. Despite struggles with persistent lower-body injuries during a disrupted 2021 season, he still used his powerful right-handed swing to hit 22 home runs in just 78 games, giving fans a dazzling debut. In 2022, he truly found his rhythm as the team's regular center fielder and key offensive force, earning an American League All-Star nod after scoring 89 runs, hitting 25 homers, and leading the pace of a 92-win postseason team.

As he entered his mid-thirties and the physical strain from his aggressive style increased, Springer smoothly moved to right field. There, his technical route-running and top-tier positioning kept his defense at an high standard. Although the 2024 schedule revealed a difficult, extended summer slump that challenged the patience of Toronto fans, his inner resilience laid the groundwork for a remarkable, historic comeback.

The remarkable comeback in the 2025 season was a true masterpiece. Springer defied aging with his best season in a Blue Jays uniform, dominating opposing pitchers with a career-high .309 batting average—fourth in Major League Baseball—alongside 32 home runs and 84 RBIs. His exceptional plate discipline was evident in a .399 on-base percentage and an impressive .959 OPS, highlighted by a dominant late-summer streak reminiscent of legendary players of the past. This 140-game performance earned him his third Silver Slugger Award and delivered a powerful message across the junior circuit.

Springer maintained his intense momentum into a remarkable 2025 postseason, leading Toronto to Game 7 of the World Series. Revitalizing his reputation as a clutch October performer, he posted a solid .284 average over 16 high-stakes playoff games. He energized the Blue Jays' offense with 19 hits, 14 runs scored, and showcased his postseason power with 4 home runs and 10 RBIs, providing vital sparks at the top of the order as Toronto bested the Yankees and Mariners to reach the Fall Classic.

Springer enters this season looking to maintain the momentum he has built north of the border.

1998 PRELIMINARY RESULTS:

Thank you to all who participated in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project. If you are still determining what that is, we treated the PFHOF as having its first class in January 1946.

We have completed the first 50 years.

For “1998,” a Preliminary Vote with over 100 players whose playing career ended by 1992. We also follow the structure in which players have 20 years of eligibility, and if they do not make it into the Hall, they are relegated to the Senior Pool.

Each voter was asked to select 25 names from the preliminary list, and the top 25 vote-getters were named Semi-Finalists.

A week later, voters will be asked to select 15 names from the 25 Semi-Finalists, then choose five from the remaining 15. We will continue this process every week until we catch up to the current year.

Please note that a significant change occurred “years ago,” allowing voters to submit fewer than the allotted number of spots. 

32 Votes took place.

This is for the “Modern Era”

Bold indicates they advanced to the Semi-Finals:

*Indicates they have been removed from future ballots

This is for the Senior Era

Bold indicates they advanced to the Semi-Finals:

*Indicates that they will be removed from the ballot permanently.

This is for the “Coaches/Contributors”

Bold indicates they advanced to the Semi-Finals:

*Indicates that they will be removed from the ballot permanently.

Next week, we will announce the Semi-Finalists for the 1998 Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project.