By Will Saulsbery | May 29, 2025
From the moment spring training began, this 2025 St. Louis Cardinals team captured my heart. They’re a resilient, gritty group that feels more like a baseball time capsule than a modern MLB roster. I rooted hard for the front office to hold the line—don’t trade Gray, don’t let Fedde go, and whatever you do, keep Arenado. Thankfully, for reasons ranging from no-trade clauses to a non-existent market for aging third basemen, the roster mostly remained intact. What we’re left with is a roster that speaks to every era of Cardinals baseball.
So let’s take a trip together—back through the decades, connecting the legends of Cardinals past to the rising stars of the present. Whether your heart belongs to the fast-paced glory of Whitey Herzog’s 1980s, the steady grind of the 90s, the powerhouse Tony La Russa years, or even the confusing Matheny and Shildt era, this team has a piece of that magic.
For the Whitey-Ball Devotees
There’s something about the Whitey Herzog era that sticks with Cardinals fans of a certain age. Stolen bases weren’t just part of the game—they were the game. Forget home runs—Vince Coleman, Ozzie Smith, and Willie McGee were the heart of that machine, turning singles into scoring threats with sheer speed and instinct.
In 2025, that spirit is alive in Victor Scott II. He’s an electric presence on the basepaths, and the numbers prove it: 64 times on base, 16 stolen bases. That’s a swipe every four times he gets on. Eliminate his two homers and that rate spikes to 26%. He’s lightning in cleats—pure Whitey-ball nostalgia.
And for fans of Tommy Herr, the underrated linchpin of those 80s lineups? Meet Brendan Donovan. He leads the NL in hits and doubles, grinds pitchers down at the plate, and can turn two with flair. Like Herr, Donovan isn’t flashy—he’s essential. A winning team needs that kind of relentless consistency.
The Forgotten 90s Get Their Due
If your formative Cardinals memories include the tail end of Ozzie’s career or the emergence of Ray Lankford, Brian Jordan, and Bernard Gilkey, you may have felt overlooked in recent years. But the 2025 Cardinals have something for you, too.
Alec Burleson offers echoes of Gregg Jefferies and Andres Galarraga. Maybe not a superstar, but dependable, versatile, and beloved. He can handle first base, hit to all fields, and brings just enough pop to keep pitchers honest.
Need a “Pagnozzi-type” catcher? Pedro Pagés fits the bill. Mostly quiet at the plate, until he suddenly goes on a tear. But behind the dish? Gold Glove-caliber defense and pitchers love throwing to him.
While there’s no true modern-day Ray Lankford (he remains untouchable in my book), Lars Nootbaar channels the vibes of both Brian Jordan and Bernard Gilkey. He’s got the glove, the pop, the smile—and that walk-off energy that brings fans to their feet.
A Love Letter to the La Russa Years
The Tony La Russa era is sacred. Nine postseason appearances, three pennants, and two World Series rings. It was a golden age of Cardinal baseball, and I still treasure the time I spent talking baseball with TLR over wine back in 2008.
The 2025 team has clear parallels to those championship squads. Start with the rotation:
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Erick Fedde channels Joel Piñeiro.
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Andre Pallante is giving Todd Wellemeyer vibes.
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Steven Matz feels like the reincarnation of Trever Miller.
But there are deeper comparisons, too. Matthew Liberatore, with a 2.73 ERA and growing confidence, is putting up numbers reminiscent of Chris Carpenter in his prime. He may not yet have Carp’s edge or bulldog intensity, but he’s building something real.
Defensively, Nolan Arenado remains the spiritual successor to Scott Rolen—perhaps even better with the glove. He’s a generational talent who blends power, leadership, and jaw-dropping defensive plays. If you loved Rolen, you
