by Casey Mensing

Created on: February 08, 2011   Last Updated: April 30, 2012

The St. Louis Cardinals baseball organization has had a long and storied history of great hitters. Rogers Hornsby, Joe Merdwick, Johnny Mize, Stan Musial, Lou Brock, Willie McGee, and Albert Pujols are just a few. But unlike some other great organizations, the Cardinals have never been known as a power hitting ball club. In fact they've had so long ball hitters in club history that almost 250 home runs separate the teams number one career leader and the number five guy on the list.

The all-time home run leader in St. Louis Cardinal history, and quite possibly the greatest player to ever wear a Cardinal uniform, is Stan “The Man” Musial. Besides hitting 475 home runs, Musial finished his Hall of Fame career with a .331 BA and 1951 RBIs. He was also a 3-time MVP and was selected to the All-Star team 24 times.

Number two is the man many consider to be the greatest hitter in the game today, Albert Pujols. Phat Albert amassed 445 career home runs in eleven seasons as a Cardinal, before leaving the team via free agency. Besides this feat, Pujols was named to the All-Star team 9 times and won 3 MVP awards amongst a litany of other accomplishments, which already make him a sure fire first ballot Hall of Famer.

Ken Boyer is number three on the list with 255 home runs. Boyer was solid third baseman for the Cardinals from 1955 to 1965. He was voted the NL MVP in 1964 and was an 11 time All-Star. Boyer would later manage the Cardinals from 1978 to 1980 and had his #14 retired by the team in 1984.

Number four on the list with 241 home runs is Jim Edmonds. From 2000 to 2007,  Edmonds was one of the most beloved Cardinals of all-time. This was most true during the 2004 season in which Edmonds lead the Cardinals to the World Series. His stellar offensive and defensive play is highlighted by Edmonds extra-inning home run to win Game 6 of the NLCS.

Ray Lankford is number five on the list with 228 home runs. Lankford played with the Cardinals from 1990 to 2000, then again in 2004. Lankford began his career with the unenviable task of replacing Willie McGee as the Cardinals center fielder. Ray started strong finishing third in Rookie of The Year voting and would go on to post five 20 home run 20 stolen base seasons in his time with the Cardinals.

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