If you watched baseball in the early 2000s, you probably saw the highlight — a full-speed sprint toward the warning track, head turned over his shoulder, glove outstretched behind him…Jim Edmonds diving backwards for the impossible.
That wasn’t just a once-in-a-while thing.
That was Jim Edmonds nearly every night.
He didn’t play center field — he owned it.
He turned routine fly balls into opportunities for flair.
He turned impossible shots into SportsCenter’s top play.
And somehow, he made it all look easy.
But don’t let the diving catches fool you —Edmonds wasn’t just a glove. He was a legit superstar at the plate.
During his time with the Cardinals, he hit 241 home runs, racked up 6 Gold Gloves, and was a central figure in one of the most exciting eras in St. Louis baseball.
In 2004, he was part of the legendary MV3 — alongside Albert Pujols and Scott Rolen — and he delivered one of the most iconic postseason moments in team history:
NLCS Game 6 — 12th inning — walk-off home run.
He was flashy, sure — but he backed it up with real production, year after year.
He hit for power, played elite defense, and had a baseball IQ that never got enough credit.
And yet, despite everything… he might still be one of the most underrated superstars of his generation.
Jim Edmonds was a showstopper.
He made defense must-see TV.
He delivered in the biggest moments.
And he wore the birds on the bat like it was meant for him all along.
A Cardinal legend, a human highlight reel, and one of the best center fielders to ever do it.
2026 CARDINALS TOP 10 PROSPECTS 
Happy 94th birthday to the late, great, Whitey Herzog! Born on this day in 1931, Herzog’s road to managing in the all-Missouri World Series of 1985 was forged long beforehand in his childhood when he regularly hitchhiked to Sportsman’s Park in St. Louis to watch the Cardinals and Browns. On the other end of Interstate 70, he played, scouted, and coached for the Kansas City Athletics. Then, after replacing Jack McKeon as Royals manager during the 1975 season, he led the franchise to its first playoff appearances before his shocking firing after the 1979 season.
at your sons high school parking lot. I’m swinging when I see you. God Bless you , Tankster.
