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Adam Wainwright has been with the St. Louis Cardinals for over sixteen years. That is a long time to stay with a city and in that time St. Louis and Waino have gotten to know each other pretty well. Certainly we don’t know Waino personally, but his time spent in such prominence in our lives has granted us some familiarity that only that level of exposure can bring. We don’t know him, but due to his accessibility to us, we kinda do know him, ya know?
That is entirely because of Adam Wainwright, too. There are many athletes that do not allow fans into their lives the way Waino has. That is not a bad thing at all, to be clear. Everyone should be allowed the level of privacy that makes them most comfortable and Waino does not just put his personal life on display without care. What I mean is no one owes anyone that level of insight into their personality. That is why Adam Wainwright is special and why many people find him so likable. He has always been his authentic self with us. He is confident in who he is, but does not take himself so seriously that he isn’t sincere. Adam Wainwright is very cool, but he never felt like he was too cool for us. He never made St. Louis feel like we have to impress him. It is one of the greatest gifts a public figure can grant a fanbase. It is how I always imagine Stan Musial was with fans based on the stories I hear.
I thought about all this while I was watching Bally Sports Midwest’s (still not used to that) most recent interview of the Cardinal veteran. He mentions his wife in the interview and says some really beautiful things about her. He talks about taking care of his family and trusts us with this peek into in his life. Even before that though, when he is talking about his pitching performance he is so candid and honest, speaking with the familiarity of a friend. It made me feel sentimental, thinking this could be the last season we see Adam Wainwright like this. I do not think I am ready for it to be over just yet, but I suppose that is not my call.
Waino on taking care of his family after they all came down with COVID: "She texted me and said 'I can't go anymore without you being here' so that's why I had to go home... She's an incredible woman... You don't really realize how much they do until you have to fill that void." pic.twitter.com/tMvJqA2kNq
— Bally Sports Midwest (@BallySportsMW) May 4, 2021
Adam Wainwright shares that all five of his children and his wife had COVID. Says his children all had an easy time with it but his wife had a hard time, but she’s “finally turned the corner.” #stlcards
— Jeff Jones (@jmjones) May 4, 2021
“Glad I chose to get vaccinated,” he added. Otherwise he’d have gone home and been out at least two weeks if not longer because, obviously, taking care of his family comes first.
— Jeff Jones (@jmjones) May 4, 2021
Adam Wainwright said COVID hit his wife, Jenny, very hard. Each of his kids got it as well. All are recovering, thankfully. Wainwright also said he's glad he got the vaccine when #STLCards made it available, because he would have had to make choice to leave team for weeks if not.
— Ben Frederickson (@Ben_Fred) May 4, 2021
what else is going on in baseball...
Most extra-base hits in 1st 21 career games vs single opponent (since at least 1906):
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) May 4, 2021
Dante Bichette vs PHI: 24
Joe DiMaggio vs SLB: 24
Ken Griffey Jr. vs COL: 21
Todd Zeile vs LAA: 21
Corey Dickerson vs CIN: 20
Paul DeJong vs NYM: 20
Randal Grichuk vs BAL: 20
2021's most surprising early batting splits | MLB.com
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The Dodgers Might Have a Shifting Strategy of Their Own | FanGraphs Baseball
what the cardinals are up to...
St. Louis checking in with quite the #BaseballSky. pic.twitter.com/fucQWeBZQE
— MLB (@MLB) May 4, 2021
There have been 25 intentional walks that loaded the bases this year. Mike Shildt has called for five of them.
— Ben Clemens (@_Ben_Clemens) May 4, 2021
Arenado Homer Fuels Cards’ Comeback Over Mets | Viva El Birdos
TA 5/3/21: Wainwright Activated, Dean Optioned | Viva El Birdos
Jordan Hicks right elbow inflammation | MLB.com
KNOW THINE ENEMY...
the new york metropolitans
BREAKING: The Mets have fired hitting coaches Chili Davis and Tom Slater.
— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) May 4, 2021
Hugh Quattlebaum is the new hitting coach.
— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) May 4, 2021
Kevin Howard is the new assistant hitting coach.
Mets vs. Cardinals recap: Lucchesi clunker costs Mets the win | Amazin' Avenue
Mets fire Chili Davis and Tom Slater, name Hugh Quattlebaum new hitting coach | Amazin' Avenue
the nl central
Cubs moves this morning:
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) May 4, 2021
• Arrieta to 10-day IL (right thumb abrasion)
• INF Nico Hoerner to 10-day IL (left forearm strain)
• RHP Dan Winkler to 10-day IL (right triceps tendinitis)
• LHP Kyle Ryan, RHP Keegan Thompson, INF Ildemaro Vargas called up.
Nick Castellanos and the quest for an elusive 200-hit Cincinnati Reds season | Red Reporter