Adam Wainwright was one of the first to show up to the St. Louis Cardinals spring training complex in Jupiter, Florida this week, as pitchers and catchers officially reported to camp.
The veteran right-hander threw his first bullpen session of the spring on Monday and was looking sharp, just as he has for the vast majority of his career.
This will be the 41-year-old’s last season in Major League Baseball.
On Twitter, the Cardinals posted a video of Wainwright throwing his bullpen session with recently extended President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak expressing what the two-time World Series champion and three-time All-Star means to the organization.
This year is Waino's 20th season in Major League camp.
His presence is beyond impactful. pic.twitter.com/FsRYRtDMb3
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) February 14, 2023
The Cardinals have been fortunate to have several players who have emerged as leaders and have helped guide the younger generation of stars.
Wainwright is obviously one of them.
The right-hander made his MLB debut in 2005 and was on the mound for the final out of the 2006 World Series.
He also was around for their World Series runs in 2011 and 2013, and is the last remaining holdover from their most recent championship clubs.
Mozeliak commented on Wainwright’s impact and how players genuinely look up to him as a veteran presence.
He even went as far as to say that soon after his playing career is over, he’ll be enshrined in the Cardinals Hall of Fame and wear the famous red jacket, and that the organization will look back at his tenure with the club fondly.
He’ll be on tap to start Opening Day one last time on March 30 against the Toronto Blue Jays.
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