The 1990s was a decade of transition and individual excellence for the St. Louis Cardinals, highlighted by outfielder Willie McGee winning the 1990 NL batting title and shortstop Ozzie Smith continuing his record-setting defensive dominance with multiple Gold Gloves. The team celebrated its centennial in 1992 and entered a new era of leadership mid-decade with the hiring of manager Tony La Russa and a move to new ownership under William DeWitt, Jr.