On Tuesday, before their game against the Oakland Athletics, the St. Louis Cardinals welcomed back another friendly face.
Infielder and slugger Gary Gaetti didn’t play with the Cardinals for very long, only playing for them from 1996-98, but like most former Cardinals, he is well loved by the fans.
He also is a native of Centralia, Illinois, which is not too far outside of St. Louis.
The Cardinals invited Gaetti back to Busch Stadium to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
When he walked out to the mound and delivered his pitch, the fans at Busch Stadium gave him a nice standing ovation.
On Twitter, Bally Sports Midwest posted a video of Gaetti making the rounds in St. Louis.
Former Cardinal and Centralia, IL native Gary Gaetti is in the house tonight and throwing nothing but strikes. 👊 #STLCards pic.twitter.com/Unu1WAN3N9
— Bally Sports Midwest (@BallySportsMW) August 15, 2023
Gaetti played most of his Major League career with the Minnesota Twins.
He made his debut with the team in 1981.
Gaetti was also part of the 1987 team that beat the Cardinals in the World Series.
He earned ALCS MVP honors that season.
In addition, Gaetti was a two-time All-Star, a Silver Slugger, and a four-time Gold Glover.
In 1996, he was part of the Cardinals team that won the NL Central title and made a run to the NLCS before being defeated by the Atlanta Braves.
That team won 88 games in what was Tony La Russa’s first season at the helm.
It was also the slugger’s best season in St. Louis.
Gaetti hit for a .274 average with 23 home runs and 80 RBI and was a key piece of the ’96 team.
The former World Series champion joined the Chicago Cubs midway through the 1998 season, ending his run with the Cardinals.
But fans in St. Louis still appreciate what Gaetti was able to do for the Cardinals.
NEXT: Cardinals Announcer Discusses Team's Pitching Options