There are moments in sports history when a single decision alters the future of an entire franchise. Some are celebrated instantly. Others age like fine wine—quietly proving their worth over time until their true value becomes impossible to ignore.
For the St. Louis Cardinals, that moment came on a warm summer day in 1967.
With the 10th overall pick in the MLB Draft, the team selected a teenage catcher from Michigan. His name was Ted Simmons. There were no roaring headlines or instant comparisons to legends. Just a name, a number, and a quiet confidence that would come to define an era of Cardinals baseball.
He was 18 years old—stoic, smart, and fiercely driven. The organization knew they were getting a solid prospect. What they didn’t realize at the time was that they had just made the best decision in franchise history.
A Legend in the Making
Ted Simmons arrived in St. Louis with a smooth swing from both sides of the plate and a head for the game that coaches immediately recognized. He didn’t demand attention—but he earned it, pitch by pitch, game by game.
By 1968, he made his MLB debut. By the early 1970s, he was the Cardinals’ most reliable offensive force. And for the next 13 seasons, he gave the city something rare: consistency, leadership, and excellence from behind the plate.
He wasn’t just one of the best catchers of his time—he was one of the best the game had ever seen.
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He batted over .300 in seven seasons, a rare feat for any player—let alone a catcher.
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He racked up 2,472 hits, 483 doubles, and 248 home runs over a 21-year career.
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He earned eight All-Star selections.
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And when he retired, no catcher in MLB history had more hits or doubles.
Simmons played the game with elegance, but he was also fierce—a quiet competitor who did his talking with results. He managed pitching staffs with precision, read opposing hitters like an open book, and hit in the middle of the order like a power-hitting corner infielder.
He was the kind of player you could build a team around. And for years, the Cardinals did just that.
The Respect Came Late, But Never Too Late
Despite his staggering numbers, Ted Simmons’ greatness was, for a long time, overlooked on the national stage. He played in an era with big personalities and even bigger markets. While others soaked up the spotlight, Simmons went to work—methodically building a Hall of Fame résumé that couldn’t be ignored forever.
In 2020, justice was finally served. Simmons was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, an honor long overdue. Fans across St. Louis rejoiced. For them, the numbers didn’t need explaining. The memories of Simmons’ brilliance had never faded.
The following year, the Cardinals honored him in the most sacred way possible: they retired number 23. His jersey now hangs beside some of the most iconic names in baseball history—Stan Musial, Bob Gibson, Ozzie Smith, Lou Brock. And now, Ted Simmons.
More Than a Pick — A Pillar of the Franchise
Looking back, the 1967 decision to draft Simmons was more than a smart baseball move. It was the start of a legacy. Simmons didn’t just provide stats—he shaped the team’s identity.
He represented what Cardinals baseball is supposed to be: smart, steady, selfless, and relentless.
He played with a quiet fire. He led by example. And he made every pitcher he caught better. Generations of Cardinals fans grew up watching him crouch behind the plate and hammer line drives into the alleys. They taught their kids to watch the game the way Simmons played it—with intention, with grit, and with grace.
A Lesson for the Future
As the Cardinals prepare for another crucial draft—holding the No. 5 pick in 2025, their highest in nearly three decades—they’re reminded of what the right choice can mean.
Ted Simmons is living proof.
In a world of hype and headline-chasing, the Cardinals once trusted their instincts and made a choice that didn’t shake the media, but shook the foundation of their future.
That decision gave them a Hall of Famer, a leader, a mentor, a fan favorite, and a lasting symbol of what excellence truly looks like in a Cardinals uniform.
A Forever Cardinal
Today, Ted Simmons is more than just a former player. He is a benchmark. A legacy. A reminder that greatness doesn’t always come loud—it comes lasting.
Every time a young player puts on the Cardinals jersey and dreams of building something bigger than themselves, they’re walking in the footsteps of Simmons. Every time a draft pick is announced, Cardinals Nation wonders: Could this be the next one? Could this be another Ted?
In 1967, the St. Louis Cardinals drafted a catcher.
In doing so, they drafted a future.
And over half a century later, we can finally say it plainly:
Drafting Ted Simmons was the best decision the St. Louis Cardinals have ever made.
