In 2024, the St. Louis Cardinals looked like something we don’t see often from the storied franchise: A bad team.
Granted, this wasn’t the anticipated game script. Out with future Hall of Fame catcher Yadier Molina, in with former Cub and better hitter Willson Contreras. Paul Goldschmidt was fresh off an MVP season and the pitching staff was intact. What could possibly go wrong?
Well, to be blunt, everything. St. Louis finished 71-91 and dead last in the NL Central, five games behind the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Cardinals hadn’t lost that many games since 1990.