RetroSimba

(Updated Dec. 7, 2024)

One of the most exclusive Cardinals clubs is the one in which membership requires a World Series Most Valuable Player Award.

Four Cardinals have earned the honor: Bob Gibson (twice), Darrell Porter, David Eckstein and David Freese.

Because a World Series most valuable player first was named in 1955 (Dodgers pitcher Johnny Podres), that left out Cardinals candidates from St. Louis’ World Series championship teams of 1926, 1931, 1934, 1942, 1944 and 1946.

Gibson is one of four players to twice be awarded a World Series MVP. The others: Sandy Koufax (1963 and 1965), Reggie Jackson (1973 and 1977) and Corey Seager (2020 and 2023).

In chronological order, a look at the Cardinals’ World Series MVP Award winners:

BOB GIBSON, 1964

Key stats: Three starts, 2-1 record, 3.00 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 27 innings.

Behind the numbers: In winning Games 5 and 7, Gibson relied on his fastball. He struck out 13 Yankees in 10 innings in Game 5 and nine in Game 7.

Fun fact: Gibson established a record with his 31 strikeouts in a World Series, breaking the mark of 28 set by Bill Dinneen of the 1903 Red Sox. Gibson struck out Mickey Mantle five times during the Series.

Best quote: “I was committed to this fellow’s heart more than anything else.” Cardinals manager Johnny Keane to the Associated Press, explaining why he stuck with a tiring Gibson in Game 7.

BOB GIBSON, 1967

Key stats: Three starts, 3-0 record, 1.00 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 27 innings.

Behind the numbers: Gibson held the Red Sox to a total of 14 hits in winning Games 1, 4 and 7. The 14 hits allowed were the fewest for three complete games in a World Series since Christy Mathewson yielded the same with the 1905 Giants.

Fun fact: Gibson hit a home run in Game 7.

Best quote: “Nothing. I gave the ball to Gibson.” _ Cardinals manager Red Schoendienst to the Associated Press when asked what he said to his team before Game 7.

DARRELL PORTER, 1982

Key stats: .286 batting mark (8-for-28), five RBI.

Behind the numbers: In the sixth inning of Game 2, the Brewers led, 4-2, and were close to clinching a second consecutive win in St. Louis. But Porter produced a two-out, two-run double, tying the score, and the Cardinals rallied to win the game. Porter hit a two-run home run in Game 6 and his run-scoring single in the eighth inning of Game 7 gave St. Louis a crucial insurance run.

Fun fact: Two years earlier, in the 1980 World Series while with the Royals, Porter batted just .143 (2-for-14).

Best quote: “I haven’t had a drink in two and a half years, or any pot or pills. I feel wonderful. I think I’ll go fishing.” _ Darrell Porter to United Press International.

DAVID ECKSTEIN, 2006

Key stats: .364 batting mark (8-for-22), four RBI, three runs.

Behind the numbers: In Game 4, with the Tigers ahead, 3-2, Eckstein led off the seventh with a double and scored the tying run. An inning later, in what Sports Illustrated described as a “Series-changing at bat,” he broke a 4-4 tie with a two-out double that scored Aaron Miles from second with the winning run. In the decisive Game 5, Eckstein gave St. Louis a 1-0 lead with a RBI-single in the third, drove in the winning run in the fourth and scored in the seventh.

Fun fact: Eckstein became the third player to start at shortstop for two different World Series champions (2002 Angels and 2006 Cardinals). The others: Dick Groat (1960 Pirates and 1964 Cardinals) and Everett Scott (1915, 1916 and 1918 Red Sox and 1923 Yankees).

Best quote: “He’s the toughest guy I’ve ever seen in a uniform.” _ Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, describing Eckstein to the Associated Press.

DAVID FREESE, 2011

Key stats: .348 batting mark (8-for-23), seven RBI, five walks, four runs.

Behind the numbers: His two-run triple with two outs in the ninth inning of Game 6 tied the score, 7-7, and his home run leading off the 11th gave St. Louis an epic 10-9 victory. In Game 7, his two-run double with two outs in the first tied the score, 2-2, and sparked St. Louis to the championship.

Fun fact: Freese hit safely in 16 of his 17 postseason games in 2011.

Best quote: “No dream is as good as this.” _ David Freese to USA Today.

Recalling his Game 6 walkoff homer in an interview for the 2016 Cardinals Yearbook, Freese said, “Right when the ball left, I remember telling myself to slow down and soak this all in. I wanted to enjoy it with my teammates and the fans … I remember rounding second, peeking into the dugout and seeing how fired up all the guys were coming to home plate … It was just an incredible feeling to have everybody waiting for you, and seeing that kind of excitement from grown men. That takes it to a whole new level.”

As for spiking his batting helmet as he approached the plate, Freese said, “I was so pumped up that I just wanted to make some noise somehow.”