Adam Wainwright’s 18-year MLB career came to a close on Sunday, as the longtime Cardinals starting pitcher made a pinch-hit appearance as a final sendoff to his time in the big leagues.
Prior to Sunday’s game against the Reds, the last game of Wainwright’s career, St. Louis held a 35-minute ceremony to honor his tenure with the franchise and his accomplished career in MLB.
During the ceremony, the team presented Wainwright with the perfect parting gift; a puppy.
Wainwright has always told his family that they’d finally be able to get a dog when he retired from baseball. The organization held him to that promise by gifting one to the family ahead of his last game with the franchise.
Adam Wainwright has always told his kids they couldn't get a dog until he retired from baseball.
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) October 1, 2023
The Cardinals just gifted him a puppy
pic.twitter.com/HvIqL3j4Hb
Wainwright’s wife, Jenny, could be seen carrying a picnic basket onto the field, which carried a small lagotto romagnolo puppy, who they named Louie.
The Wainwright’s have four daughters and one son, all of whom were excitedly gathered around the puppy after it was presented to their father.
Across 18 seasons in MLB, all of which he spent with the Cardinals, Wainwright recorded 200 wins, 2,202 strikeouts, and a 3.53 ERA. He made three All-Star appearances and won a World Series in 2006.
