CHICAGO • In the past week, the two departed All-Stars the Cardinals have built their most successful recent lineups around have chased history and reveled in a revitalized present.
Albert Pujols with one mighty swing Saturday night became the ninth player ever with 600 career home runs, and Matt Holliday hit his 12th homer of the season and is one of the most productive designated hitters in the American League with a .889 OPS. Such gaudy numbers only hint at what two MVP-caliber hitters brought during their tenures at No. 3 in the Cardinals’ lineup, but illustrate what several talent evaluators believe the current edition has yet to find.