We were spoiled. From 1998 until 2010, 30 home runs and 100 runs batted in was a given. Whether it was Mark McGwire, Ray Lankford, Jim Edmonds, Scott Rolen, or Albert Pujols, we had a lineup without relief. But, the last 15 years the cupboard has been about as bare as the bread aisle at Dierbergs the night before Scott Connell calls for snow.
But, we have hope again. And his name is Jordan Walker
Goldy and Arenado
Since 2010 the only seasons with 30 and 100 were Arenado in 2021 and 2022, and Goldschmidt in his MVP Year of 2022. That’s it, that’s the list. Yes, Holliday and Beltran got close in 2012, but as they say, close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.
Before we move on to JW, we have to give Goldy and Nado their propers. They had some fantastic all-time seasons here. 2022 was one for the ages, two guys in the top three of MVP Voting, and the guy that finished 3rd actually led the league in WAR. Personally, I thought we were back. I thought maybe Albert would come back for one more year and run it back after that finish. The Cardinals next reign was about to begin!!
But, the next three seasons were a slide into oblivion more boring than downtown Clayton after 6pm.
Emergence Towards Potential
This is the Jordan Walker we were promised. He was the best prospect since Óscar Taveras or Albert Pujols. His rookie year was promising, 16 home runs and 52 RBIs in 117 games. Solid start. Then, well, I may need a Danny Mac produced documentary on ‘24, ‘25, and then ‘26 to fully understand what actually happened.
Now we have our guy. The middle of the order bat that pitching staffs have extra sessions on. The guy no pitching coach wants his starter facing a third time. As I write, Jordan Walker is 6th in the NL in WAR, 10th in hits, 7th in total bases, 6th in home runs, and 1st in RBIs.
He’s got 20 and 67 and he could still play 70 more games. He drives in about three runs every four games, and hits one out about every four games on average. We could be looking at a 35 and 115 season if he stays close to this pace of production. Maybe a top ten MVP, maybe a Silver Slugger?
Absolute Elite Level Company
The list of 30 and 100 isn’t as long as you would think. We’ve been fielding a squad of some nature here in the Gateway since Chester A. Arthur was president and this is the entire list of men to accomplish this feat.
That’s it, seventeen men. The Cards have put over 2,000 players in the Birds on Bat and less than 1% have reached the 30 home run and 100 RBI level. That is insanely elite company. That is where Walker is headed.
Relish this, because it doesn’t happen often, and when it happens two or more times you can pretty much start molding your bust for Cooperstown.
Born and raised in St. Louis, Will Saulsbery is a multitalented writer and musician. A graduate of the University of Missouri, Saulsbery has established himself as a prominent ghostwriter, with his work appearing in top-tier publications like Newsweek, Time, Forbes, Fast Company, Tech Crunch, Entrepreneur, The Observer, and The Hill.
His collection of short stories, Death in the Midwest, A Collection Of Nine Stories Of Death In The Midwestern United States... And One In London, is now available for sale and download. He is also the host of the podcast Hoops on Scoops for the Scoops Sports Network.
