Two-time Sporting News Executive of the Year, Walt Jocketty, has been the architect of the Cardinals success over the last 10 years. During this past offseason, Jocketty added All-Star-to-be shortstop David Eckstein, second baseman Mark Grudzielanek and left-handed pitcher Mark Mulder -- all have been instrumental to the team's success this season.

After sitting out the 2004 postseason, right-handed pitcher Chris Carpenter will be relied on as the No. 1 starter for the Cardinals.

Unlike last season, when the Cardinals got through most of the regular season with no serious injuries, they have had to rely heavily on backups such as third baseman Abraham Nunez, outfielders John Rodriguez and So Taguchi and infielder Hector Luna. Nunez and Carpenter are the only non-rookies with no postseason experience.

1995
• RHP Matt Morris, selected in the first round (12th player overall) of the June 1995 free-agent draft

1999
• 1B Albert Pujols, selected in 13th round of the 1999 First-Year Player Draft
• 1B/OF Chris Duncan, drafted by the Cardinals in the 44th round of the 1999 First-Year Player Draft

2000
• CF Jim Edmonds, acquired in a trade from the Anaheim Angels for pitchers Kent Bottenfield and Adam Kennedy on March 23, 2000
• LHP Tyler Johnson, selected by the Cardinals in the 33rd round of the 2000 First-Year Player Draft
• C Yadier Molina, selected in the fourth round of the 2000 First-Year Player Draft
• OF/1B John Gall, selected in the 11th round of the 2000 First-Year Player Draft

2001
• OF Skip Schumaker, selected in the fifth round of the 2001 First-Year Player Draft
• RHP Jason Isringhausen, signed as a free agent Dec. 10, 2001

2002
• OF So Taguchi, signed as a free agent Jan. 9, 2002
• RHP Brad Thompson, selected in the 16th round of the 2002 First-Year Player Draft
• RHP Chris Carpenter, signed as free agent Dec. 13, 2002
• RHP Cal Eldred, signed as a Minor League free agent Dec. 18, 2002

2003
• IF Scott Seabol, signed as a Minor League free agent on May 27, 2003
• RHP Anthony Reyes, selected in the 15th round of the June 2003 First-Year Player Draft
• LHP Randy Flores, signed as a Minor League free agent Nov. 20, 2003
• RHP Jason Marquis, LHP Ray King and RHP Adam Wainwright acquired from the Atlanta Braves in a trade for outfielders J.D. Drew and Eli Marrero on Dec. 13, 2003
• IF Hector Luna, selected in the Rule 5 Draft, Dec. 15, 2003
• RHP Jeff Suppan, signed as a free agent on Dec. 16, 2003
• LF Reggie Sanders, signed as a free agent on Dec. 19, 2003
• C Mike Mahoney, signed as a Minor League free agent Nov. 7, 2003

2004
• RHP Julian Tavarez, signed as a free agent Jan. 9, 2004
• OF/IF John Mabry, signed as a free agent Feb. 14, 2004
• RHP Al Reyes, signed as a Minor League free agent June 4, 2004
• RF Larry Walker, acquired from the Colorado Rockies with cash considerations in exchange for Minor League pitcher Jason Busch and pitchers Luis Martinez and Chris Narveson Aug. 6, 2004
• C Einar Diaz, signed as free agent Dec. 15, 2004
• LHP Mark Mulder, acquired from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for pitchers Kiko Calero and Dan Haren and Minor League catcher Daric Barton, Dec. 18, 2004
• SS David Eckstein, signed as a free agent Dec. 23, 2004

2005
• 2B Mark Grudzielanek, signed as a free agent Jan. 6, 2005
• LHP Tyler Johnson is given back to the Cardinals by the Athletics (who picked him up in the 2004 Rule 5 Draft) on March 22, 2005
• IF Abraham Nunez, signed as a Minor League free agent Jan. 12, 2005
• OF John Rodriguez, acquired in a trade with Cleveland for Javier Cardona, June 4, 2005