JUPITER, Fla. — Everyone remembers how Cardinals fifth-starter candidate Jake Woodford’s 2021 season began. What deserves more attention is how it ended. But first, let’s start at the start.
Woodford, then a reliever, was on the wrong end of a viral moment in Cincinnati. In the Cardinals’ second game of the season-opening series, after replacing starter Adam Wainwright, Woodford accidentally beaned Reds slugger Nick Castellanos. Things got worse, fast. A single by Joey Votto followed and put Castellanos on third. A wild pitch to Eugenio Suarez sent Castellanos barreling home headfirst. Safe. Castellanos popped to his feet and flexed over the young pitcher for all of the world to see.
Benches cleared. Blood boiled. The Reds promoted the taunting pose that got Castellanos suspended to the point of turning his flex into a big sign outside of their ballpark that encouraged fans to vote for Castellanos’ All-Star selection. Woodford had been posterized. I remember wondering there in Cincinnati how a young pitcher would respond. The season proceeded. We found out.
