(Milwaukee) Eight days after signing a 200e gain, Adam Wainwright declared that he made his last shot, at 42 years old.
“I’ve thought about it a lot in the last few days, but I’m very calm,” said the St. Louis Cardinals right-hander before his team’s game in Milwaukee on Tuesday.
“I have no regrets, no hesitation about whether I am making the right decision to step down. I am at peace with all of this. I literally left everything I had on the field. »
A three-time All-Star, Wainwright played all 18 seasons of his career with the Cardinals. The club won the 2006 World Series, in its second season.
He pitched seven innings on September 18 in St. Louis, allowing four hits in a 1-0 victory over the Brewers.
“I knew the next day it would be very difficult for me to throw competitively again,” said the Brunswick, southeast Georgia, native.
It was the longest outing this season for Wainwright (5-11, 7.40 ERA).
He recorded his final out by throwing a curveball to Josh Donaldson, who was grounded out.
Wainwright was placed on injured reserve in March (groin) and July (shoulder). He made 21 starts and pitched for 101 innings, with 55 strikeouts.
“There’s no better way to leave,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. In St. Louis, a curve, the fans standing and the ovation he got, all that. »