1982–1999 · CF

Willie McGee

6' 1", 175 lbs·Lived to 68·Bats B / Throws R

3×Gold GloveMVPSilver SluggerAll-Star

The Almanac's Take

McGee's 1985 MVP season remains one of the most unusual in National League history — he won the batting title at .353 despite being traded to Oakland in August. The Cardinals got him back as a free agent, but that split season perfectly captured his wandering career arc.

The switch-hitter was all speed and contact, never hitting more than 11 homers in a season but stealing 301 bases for his career. His three Gold Gloves speak to elite defensive instincts in center field, though he played in an era before advanced metrics could properly quantify his range.

McGee's .295 career average with a 98 OPS+ tells the story of a player who maximized limited power through exceptional bat control and baserunning. He was the prototype slap-hitting center fielder who could change games without overwhelming statistics.

Career Highs

.887

Best OPS · 1985

Most HR · 1987

105

Most RBI · 1987

.353

Best AVG · 1985

Career Arc · OPS

18 seasons

Statistical Comps

Ernie Clement

99%

2025 season

ISO .121 · K% 10.5 · BB% 4.6 · HR% 1.5

Miguel Andujar

99%

2024 season

ISO .093 · K% 13.2 · BB% 4.1 · HR% 1.3

Jacob Wilson

98%

2025 season

ISO .134 · K% 7.5 · BB% 5.2 · HR% 2.5

Career · Batting

18 seasons

Year	Team	G	AB	HR	RBI	AVG	OPS	OPS+
1982	STL	123	422	4	56	.296	.709	99
1983	STL	147	601	5	75	.286	.689	96
1984	STL	145	571	6	50	.291	.719	102
1985	STL	152	612	10	82	.353	.887	124
1986	STL	124	497	7	48	.256	.676	94
1987	STL	153	620	11	105	.285	.746	100
1988	STL	137	562	3	50	.292	.701	101
1989	STL	58	199	3	17	.236	.627	90
1990	STL	154	614	3	77	.324	.791	111
1991	SF	131	497	4	43	.312	.765	108
1992	SF	138	474	1	36	.297	.693	99
1993	SF	130	475	4	46	.301	.742	101
1994	SF	45	156	5	23	.282	.735	96
1995	BOS	67	200	2	15	.285	.711	94
1996	STL	123	309	5	41	.307	.766	100
1997	STL	122	300	3	38	.300	.767	101
1998	STL	120	269	3	34	.253	.618	82
1999	STL	132	271	0	20	.251	.570	73
Career		2201	7649	79	856	.295	—	—

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