St. Louis Cardinals: 5 Most Popular Non-Superstars of the Last 30 Years

Every sports team has that certain player that is beloved by fans despite not being a superstar.

The St. Louis Cardinals are no different. There have been several players, both stars and role players, who have stolen the city’s heart.

From stars like Ozzie Smith to bench players like So Taguchi, anyone can earn the love of Cardinal fans.

Let's take a look at five of the most popular Cardinals of the last three decades.

5. So Taguchi

Cardinal fans always love it when a role player comes through in a big way in the playoffs.

In Game 2 of the 2006 NLCS, Taguchi took New York Mets pitcher Billy Wagner deep in the top of the ninth inning to put the Cardinals ahead in a game they’d eventually win.

He was also popular because he was a really nice guy and was very humble, two characteristics the city of St. Louis appreciates in its players.

4. Joe McEwing

When Big Mac (Mark McGwire) was crushing home runs in St. Louis, he might not have been the most popular Cardinal on the team.

That honor probably belonged to Little Mac (McEwing).

McEwing was a versatile player who played every position but pitcher and catcher during his rookie season.

Also, in response to McGwire’s Big Mac Land, a Little Mac Land was established at Busch Stadium, something that doesn’t happen unless you’re a very popular player.

3. David Freese

After Freese’s heroics in Game 6 of the 2011 World Series, he’s quickly becoming one of the biggest fan favorites in Cardinal history.

He’s also from St. Louis, which makes him even more popular in the community.

If he can stay healthy, he has a chance to go down as one of the most popular Cardinals ever.

He can also make sure he stays in favor by continuing to drive in runs with two outs, something he’s shown a knack for doing.

2. Ozzie Smith

Smith would do a backflip when he’d take the field at shortstop. How could fans not love him for that?

And, after the backflips, he’d flash the leather as one of the greatest defensive shortstops of all time.

His home run in Game 5 of the 1985 NLCS cemented his Redbird legacy and inspired Jack Buck’s “Go crazy, folks” call, one of the most memorable lines in Cardinal history.

1. Willie McGee

McGee is undoubtedly the most popular player in Cardinal history.

Whenever he attends a game, he gets the most applause of anyone in attendance.

McGee captured the hearts of Cardinal fans early in his career during a World Series.

In his rookie year (1982) McGee hit two home runs in Game 3 of the World Series, leading to a Cardinals victory.

He also won an MVP award with the team in 1985.