Rookie relief pitcher James Naile had himself a night to remember on Monday.
After the St. Louis Cardinals placed Jack Flaherty on the injured list, he was called up to the big-league roster and arrived at Busch Stadium prior to the start of their game against the Miami Marlins.
After Adam Wainwright had given them seven scoreless innings, Naile took the mound for the Cards in the top of the eighth.
A Southeast Missouri native, Naile grew up a fan of the Cardinals.
After pitching a scoreless eighth inning, Naile commented on what it meant to make his debut at Busch Stadium as a member of the Cardinals.
MLB on FOX posted a tweet featuring his comment.
Baseball is the best ❤️ pic.twitter.com/PJf5j8wuWz
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 28, 2022
A Dream Come True
You have to feel good for Naile.
He grew up loving the Cardinals and dreaming to be a part of the team.
As he put it, he’s a “small-town Missouri boy” and he grew up in prime Cards territory.
He had spent several years in the Oakland Athletics system after being drafted in 2015.
Now, finally, at 29, Naile got to live out his dream and pitch in the ballpark he always wanted to pitch in.
And to throw a scoreless inning and play a key role in the Cards’ 9-0 victory over the Marlins had to feel good for him too.
It’s always nice when a player gets to live out their dream of playing for the team they grew up cheering for.
Naile got that chance last night.
There’s no telling how long Naile will be with the big club, but for now, a scoreless inning in his debut at Busch Stadium, wearing the Birds on the Bat, will suffice.
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