Albert Pujols. Jim Edmonds. Scott Rolen.
That 3-4-5 combo wasn’t fair. It wasn’t just powerful — it was surgical, relentless, and downright terrifying. They were MVP-caliber talents stacked back-to-back-to-back in the same batting order. Facing them was like trying to dodge a freight train in a thunderstorm — if you survived one, the next would flatten you.
Albert Pujols: .415 OBP
Jim Edmonds: .418 OBP
Scott Rolen: .409 OBP
These weren’t just good numbers — these were numbers from another planet. Pitchers didn’t get a break. If you managed to contain Pujols (somehow), Edmonds was ready to crush your confidence. And if you tiptoed past him, Rolen was waiting with that cold-blooded swing and laser-sharp plate discipline.
At the helm was manager Tony La Russa, orchestrating one of the most complete and dynamic teams St. Louis had ever seen. The Cardinals steamrolled through the regular season with 105 wins, the best record in baseball. Every night at Busch Stadium felt like a fireworks show. The lineup was deep, the pitching was strong, and the team chemistry was undeniable.
They weren’t just good. They were appointment television.
Of course, the story didn’t end the way fans hoped. The Cardinals ran into a buzzsaw known as the 2004 Boston Red Sox, a team riding the emotional high of breaking an 86-year curse. The Red Sox swept the World Series — but that shouldn’t erase what came before it.
This 2004 Cardinals team was electric. They were a nightmare for pitchers and a dream for fans. They reminded the baseball world what a truly elite offense looks like — not just home runs and highlights, but smart, efficient, unrelenting baseball.
Years later, fans still talk about that trio with reverence. Pujols. Edmonds. Rolen.
It was more than just a lineup.
It was a legacy.