The All-Time Best Athletes From St. Louis, Ranked

St. Louis has produced some of the biggest sports stars in the world. From baseball to boxing to golf, these locally-grown superstars have earned the right to be celebrated as some of the best athletes in history. Scroll down to view images Page 1 of 2 Todd Awbrey / Flickr 30 David Freese IIs David […]

Written by Riverfront Times
04/11/2025
RFT Writers are a collective of independent journalists contributing original reporting to RFT. They report on a wide range of topics including music, news, gaming, cannabis, and the creator economy.

St. Louis has produced some of the biggest sports stars in the world. From baseball to boxing to golf, these locally-grown superstars have earned the right to be celebrated as some of the best athletes in history.

Scroll down to view images
Page 1 of 2
Todd Awbrey / Flickr

30 David Freese
IIs David Freese the best player in St. Louis history? Admittedly, no. But he’s a St. Louis hero and Wildwood native, who led his hometown Cardinals to their most recent World Series championship, hitting .396 during the playoffs and winning World Series MVP.
1 of 30
TigerNet.com / Flickr

29 Niele Ivey
Niele Ivey led Cor Jesu Academy to a 31-0 state run during high school, before earning All-American honors at the University of Notre Dame and playing five years in the WNBA.
2 of 30
jc.winkler / Flickr

28 Lawyer Milloy
During his 15-year career as an NFL safety, Lawyer Milloy compiled four Pro Bowl and three All-Pro selections. He did, though, play on the 2001 New England Patriots team that defeated the St. Louis Rams in the Super Bowl.
3 of 30
@arrogant / Flickr

27 Larry Hughes
Over his 13-year NBA career, Larry Hughes, the former Saint Louis University star, played in 727 regular season games and averaged 14 points per game.
4 of 30
Screengrab via U.S. Soccer / YouTube

Screengrab via U.S. Soccer / YouTube
26 Lori Chalupny
Lori Chalupny was part of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team that won the 2008 Olympic gold medal, totaling 106 appearances over her career. She now serves as the head coach at Maryville University.
5 of 30
Hayden Schiff / Flickr

25 Tim Ream
Tim Ream has spent the last seven years playing for Fulham in the Premier League. He is one of two St. Louis natives currently representing the U.S. in the 2022 World Cup –– his 12th year with the national team.
6 of 30
Screengrab via haNZAgod / YouTube

Screengrab via haNZAgod / YouTube
24 Leon Spinks
Leon Spinks found fame in his eighth professional fight when he defeated Muhammad Ali, making him the quickest heavyweight champion in boxing history.
7 of 30
All-Pro Reels / Flickr

23 Bradley Beal
A three-time All-Star, Beal is one of the best scorers in the NBA, averaging 22.1 points per game over his 10-year career.
8 of 30
Screengrab via British Pathe / YouTube

22 Chuck McKinley
Chuck McKinley won the 1963 Wimbledon singles championship en route to a No.1 world ranking. He was also a three-time U.S. Open doubles champion.
9 of 30
Gage Skidmore / Flickr

21 Tyron Woodley
A Ferguson native, Tyron Woodley was a two-time All-American at Mizzou and a UFC fighter who held the UFC Welterweight Championship for three years.
10 of 30
Screengrab via Charles Jackson / YouTube

20 Gwen Berry
Gwen Berry is a three-time U.S. Indoor Track and Field Champion, who holds the record in the weight throw and ranks seventh all-time in the hammer throw.
11 of 30
Hayden Schiff / Flickr

19 Taylor Twellman
Taylor Twellman, a five-time MLS all-star and U.S. Men’s National Team member, was one of the best players in American soccer during a seven-year period with the New England Revolution, where he scored the most goals of any player.
12 of 30
@azwegers / Flickr

18 Dawn Harper-Nelson
Dawn Harper-Nelson, a two-time Olympic medalist, won gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in the 100-meter hurdles.
13 of 30
@joeglo / Flickr

17 Ezekiel Elliott
The former John Burroughs standout has been one of the best running backs in the NFL over the past seven years.
14 of 30
@imatty35 / Flickr

16 Ryan Howard
Ryan Howard, a Lafayette High School graduate, spent 14 years smashing home runs against the Cardinals as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies, winning an MVP and World Series championship.
15 of 30
Rummy’s Corner / Flickr

15 Michael Spinks
Though Michael Spinks might have less fame than his brother Leon, Michael arguably had a more successful boxing career, garnering two world championships and compiling a 31-1 record before retiring in 1988.
16 of 30
@highwaytodistraction / Flickr

14 Becky Sauerbrunn
Becky Sauerbrunn, the current captain of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, has nearly 211 international appearances since 2008.
17 of 30
@sgfsoccer / Flickr

13 Al Trost
After leading Saint Louis University to two national championship appearances, Al Trost went on to play for the U.S. Men’s National Team on the 1972 Olympic team. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

18 of 30

Why Trust RFT.com

We maintain a strict editorial policy dedicated to factual accuracy, relevance, and impartiality. Our content is written and edited by top industry professionals with first-hand experience. The content undergoes thorough review by experienced editors to guarantee and adherence to the highest standards of reporting and publishing.
Disclosure

Featured Stories

Copyright © 2025. River Front Times. All rights reserved.
Newsletter
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy.
Copyright © 2025. River Front Times. All rights reserved.