Willie McGee’s 1985 MVP season doesn’t get talked about nearly enough — but it was special in every sense of the word.
The Cardinals outfielder was an absolute menace that year, slashing .353/.384/.503, leading the entire MLB in batting average, hits (216), and triples (18). He also racked up 56 stolen bases, scored 114 runs, and played elite defense in center field — earning both a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger in the same season.
In a league that was stacked with stars, McGee’s all-around dominance stood out. He didn’t rely on home runs or flashy power — he just did everything else at an elite level. Speed, defense, contact hitting, hustle… he was the heart and soul of a Cardinals team that won 101 games and made it to the World Series!