The St. Louis Cardinals are a team with some young, impact players, “captained” by a group of experienced veterans that increase the organization’s average age.
We can say that they are a team of veterans, though: Paul Goldschmidt is 34, Nolan Arenado is 31, Miles Mikolas is 33, TJ McFarland is 33, Steven Matz is 31, and Corey Dickerson is 33.
The real veterans, however, the ones who were present in the Cards’ two recent World Series titles in 2006 and 2011, are Albert Pujols, Adam Wainwright, and Yadier Molina.
Age, as they say, is just a number.
Or, as The Athletic’s beat writer for the Cardinals Katie Woo says, age is nothing but a social construct.
“The Cardinals have three of the six oldest players in MLB on their roster, managed by the youngest manager in the Majors. Age is nothing but a social construct,” she wrote on Twitter.
The Cardinals have three of the six oldest players in MLB on their roster, managed by the youngest manager in the Majors.
Age is nothing but a social construct.
— Katie Woo (@katiejwoo) April 12, 2022
Marmol Is Younger Than Pujols, Wainwright, And Molina
Oliver Marmol took over for Mike Shildt after the later was fired because of differences in “philosophy” with the front office.
Marmol, who is 36, is the majors’ youngest manager.
He was a coach for the Cardinals from 2017 to 2021, and was promoted to manager for the 2022 campaign.
It’s certainly odd that he is younger than Pujols (42), Wainwright (40), and Molina (39).
But baseball is full of fun facts, and the four of them probably find that fascinating.
Pujols is expected to be a part-time player, alternating between first base and the designated hitter spot against lefties.
Wainwright and Molina, however, are regulars: the former is probably the staff ace, and the latter is the starting catcher.
It’s pretty clear that, no matter their age, Marmol is relying on them not just for on-the-field work, but also, to be leaders in the dugout.
NEXT: Nolan Arenado Honored For His Hot Start In 2022