Rick Ankiel — Minor League Player of the Year in 1999 as a flame-throwing pitcher. Returned to Memphis in 2007 as a centerfielder and led club with 32 home runs.
Randy Arozarena — Drilled two home runs in Game 4 of the 2018 PCL finals at AutoZone Park to help Redbirds win fourth championship. Hit 10 home runs for Tampa Bay in 2020 postseason, earning ALCS MVP honors. 2021 American League Rookie of the Year.
Alec Burleson — Only Redbird to win league batting title, leading the International League in 2022 with a .331 average. Led Redbirds with 87 RBIs before hitting first big-league homer in the same game Albert Pujols slammed number 700.
Matt Carpenter — Starred for Memphis in 2011, hitting .300 and driving in 70 runs. Won Silver Slugger at second base two years later for St. Louis, helping Cardinals to National League championship.
Stubby Clapp — Backflipping second baseman for 2000 Pacific Coast League champions. Returned as manager and led Redbirds to championships in 2017 and 2018.
Allen Craig — Hit .322 to help 2009 Redbirds win PCL title, then drove in 81 runs in just 83 games for Memphis in 2010. Hit three home runs to help Cardinals win 2011 World Series.
Tommy Edman — Member of back-to-back (2017-18) PCL champions with Memphis. MVP of 2018 postseason when he hit .432 over nine games. Won Gold Glove at second base with Cardinals in 2021.
David Freese — Hero of 2009 PCL playoffs for Memphis, hitting decisive home runs in two games on the way to club’s second championship. Hero of 2011 World Series for the Cardinals, with game-tying triple and game-winning home run in Game 6.
Adolis Garcia — Hit walk-off home run at AutoZone Park in Game 2 of the 2017 PCL finals to help Redbirds win their third championship. Scored 96 runs and drove in 96 runs for 2019 Redbirds. Made 2021 American League All-Star team as a rookie with the Texas Rangers.
Dan Haren — Won 11 games and led PCL with 150 strikeouts in 2004 before being promoted and pitching in the World Series for St. Louis. Won 153 games over 13-year big-league career and started for the American League in the 2007 All-Star Game.
Dakota Hudson — Only Redbird to earn PCL Pitcher of the Year honors when he put up 13-3 mark in 2018. Led Cardinals with 16 wins as a rookie in 2019.
Adam Kennedy — Hit .305 with 15 stolen bases for inaugural Redbirds team (1998), then established a franchise record with a 20-game hitting streak in 1999 that stands to this day. Earned ALCS MVP honors (with three home runs in decisive game) on way to 2002 World Series crown with Angels.
Lance Lynn — Won 13 games for 2010 Redbirds and led PCL with 141 strikeouts. Pitched in 2011 World Series for Cardinals and won at least 15 games in three consecutive seasons for St. Louis.
Keith McDonald — Catcher for 2000 PCL champions. During brief promotion in July 2000, became only the second player to homer in his first two major-league at-bats.
Yadier Molina — Spent two months with 2004 Redbirds before starting 19-year career with Cardinals. Played in four World Series and won two. With Adam Wainwright, set MLB record for starts by a battery (328). Won nine Gold Gloves and established National League record by playing in 104 postseason games.
Tyler O’Neill — Hit three homers and drove in 10 runs in 2017 PCL playoffs to help Redbirds to third championship. Slammed 26 homers in only 64 games for Memphis in 2018. Two-time Gold Glove winner with St. Louis.
Plácido Polanco — Member of inaugural Redbirds team (1998) and one of only three former Redbirds to accumulate 2,000 hits in the major leagues. MVP of 2006 ALCS with Tigers and winner of three Gold Gloves.
Albert Pujols — Slammed 13th-inning home run at AutoZone Park to win 2000 PCL championship. Three-time National League MVP and two-time World Series champion with the Cardinals. Fourth in MLB history with 703 home runs.
Skip Schumaker — Only player to have 300 hits for both Memphis and St. Louis. Member of Cardinals’ 2011 World Series champs and currently manager of the Miami Marlins.
Bud Smith — Won two games in 2000 PCL playoffs to help Memphis win first PCL championship. Went 8-5 for Redbirds in 2001 before promotion to St. Louis. Tossed no-hitter in 11th big-league start, at San Diego on September 3, 2001.
Nick Stavinoha — Appeared in five seasons (2007-11) for the Redbirds. Owns franchise record for games (479), hits (531), home runs (74), and RBIs (316).
Michael Wacha — Made 2013 PCL All-Star team for Memphis, then earned NLCS MVP honors for the Cardinals, helping St. Louis to World Series.
Adam Wainwright — Won 14 games over two seasons with Memphis before winning 195 so far with the Cardinals (third-most in franchise history). As closer, secured Cardinal wins in 2006 NLCS and World Series.
Patrick Wisdom — Slugger helped Memphis to back-to-back PCL championships in 2017 and ’18. Led 2017 Redbirds with 31 home runs before earning MVP honors in the PCL finals.
Kolten Wong — Slick second baseman, hit .303 for 2013 Redbirds with 10 home runs and 20 stolen bases. Drilled walk-off homer in Game 2 of the 2014 NLCS for Cardinals and later won a pair of Gold Gloves.
Frank Murtaugh is the managing editor of Memphis magazine. He writes the columns “From My Seat” and “Tiger Blue” for the Flyer.
