In sports, great team dynasty’s doesn’t last a life time but for some they are able maintain it with a collection of some of the greatest players who played in their perspective sport. New England Patriots lasted two decades with Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichcik, The Boston Celtics combo of Bill Russell, Bob Cousy and John Havlicek dynasty dominated the NBA back in 1960’s. The New York Yankees had 5 different dynasty that goes all the way back to the 1920’s, players like Babe Ruth, Lou Gerhig and into the mid-1990’s with Derrick Jeter, Bernie Williams and Andy Pettitte into 2000. And you can’t forget the Los Angeles Lakers dynasty of the 80’s with Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul Jabbar and James Worthy and the 2000’s team with Shaq O’Neal and the Kobe Bryant that lasted for 23 years. In St. Louis the Cardinal Dynasty of Albert Pujols, Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina has lasted for 22 years starting with Albert Pujols in 2001 and his club rookie record breaking season. Then Yadier Molina join the Cardinals as the catcher in 2004. A year later Adam Wainwright would join Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina in 2005 which all three would end up being this generations greatest St. Louis Cardinals player dynasty combo of all the time. Now of course there will be a lot of debate about this; what about Bob Gibson, Mike Shannon and Lou Brock of the 1960’s Cardinals? There is good argument about that combo that won 2 of the 3 World Series titles that the Cardinals played in, winning all in 1964 and 67, but this current combo of Pujols, Wainwright and Yadier Molina only had one losing season together which was in 2007. In the 10 seasons from 2001 to 2011, with Albert Pujols, the three of them were involved in 7 post season, 3 World Series winning in 2006 and 2011. While Albert left the team following the 2011 season Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina led the Cardinals to the post-season 7 times and one World Series. 

Now the all 3 of them are together again which most likely be the last time we will see them playing in a Cardinals uniform.  Adam Wainwright wasn’t flashy like Bob Gibson, in fact he’s only been selected to the Major League Baseball All-Star game 3 times but his workman’s like pitching has won the hearts of many Cardinals fans around St. Louis  In his career with the Cardinals, Wainwright as won 150 and two Gold Glove Awards and has finished in the top 3 in National League Cy Young Award balloting four times during his current 17 season and he currently is second all-time behind Bob Gibson in strikes.  Yadier Molina has had a Hall of Fame career as a Catcher for the Cardinals. He’s been voted to the Major League Baseball All-Star 10 times during his 18 seasons with the club a 9-time Gold Glove winner and finished in the MVP top 5 twice in 2012 and 2013. And finally, Albert Pujols who is perhaps this generations greatest St Louis Cardinals ever being voted 9 times in the All-Star a 3-time National League MVP and is the team’s all-time record in home runs and RBI’s. It’s been an amazing run for all three of these players as they get ready to play the Philadelphia Phillies in the first round of the National League playoffs.  And the if this is The Last Hurrah of Albert Pujols, Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina we may never see another combination last 22 years like the one we are witnessing. I know some believe Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado and Paul DeJong will caring the next dynasty but it’s a tail order. So, let’s root for Pujols, Wainwright and Molina for One Last Hurrah, it’s been one Heck of a 22-year ride.