REDBIRDS LEGACY PITCHER SET TO ENTER HIS 18TH SEASON WITH ST. LOUIS
ST. LOUIS, MO. – October 1, 2021– The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that they have agreed to terms with pitcher Adam Wainwright on a one-year contract for the upcoming 2022 season. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Wainwright, 40, will be entering his 18th season with the Cardinals in 2022, matching Jesse Haines (18 years, 1920-37) for the most years as a pitcher in a Redbirds uniform.
“Adam has built a legacy that has placed him among the greatest players in Cardinals franchise history,” stated Cardinals Chairman Bill DeWitt, Jr. “Beginning with his memorable playoff and World Series clinching outs in 2006, and to this day, still leading our staff as one of the game’s top pitchers, Adam has represented the Cardinals and St. Louis with great pride.”
Wainwright ranks 3rd all-time among Cardinals in wins (184), 2nd in strikeouts (2,004) and 6th in innings pitched (2,375.2). The two-time World Series Champion (2006 & 2011) and three-time All-Star (2010, 2013, 2014) ranks 6th among active pitchers in wins, 8th in strikeouts, and 7th in ERA (3.35), despite missing significant time due to injury in 2011, 2015 and 2018.
“It’s been no secret that once Adam and his family announced that he was ready to play next season, that we were ready to put a deal together,” stated Cardinals’ President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak. “Adam has been a constant for the Cardinals for nearly two decades, and he continues to perform at an elite level that is historic in nature. We couldn’t be more pleased to announce that Adam will continue his distinguished Cardinals career into the 2022 season.”
Wainwright is pacing St. Louis in wins (17), games started (32), strikeouts (174), and innings pitched (206.1) this season, while ranking among N.L. leaders in wins (2nd), innings pitched (2nd), ERA (3.05, 10th), complete games (3, T1st), quality starts (22, 3rd), average against (.220, 9th), WHIP (1.06, 9th) and win percentage (.708, 5th). He has thrown 7.0 or more innings in 16 starts this season, 2nd most in the majors.
“Uncle Charlie”, who celebrated his 40th birthday in late August, is ranked among Cardinals leaders in pitching during their age 39 or older season in starts (32), quality starts (22) and strikeouts (174), He is second only to Peter Alexander (21 in 1927) in wins among Cardinals pitchers age 39 and older.
A former Rawlings Gold Glove (2009 & 2013) and National League Silver Slugger (2017) award winner, Wainwright owns a career mark of 184-105 with a 3.35 ERA in 426 games (338 starts) covering 2,375.2 innings pitched. He is the Cardinals all-time leader in postseason games pitched (28) and strikeouts (118) and was on the mound for the Cardinals World Series and National League Championship Series clinching wins in 2006.
Adam and Yadier Molina, who the Cardinals have also signed for the 2022 season, rank 4th all-time in games started by battery mates with 304, just 20 games back of the all-time leaders Mickey Lolich and Bill Freehan (324).
Adam was the 2020 recipient of the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award, recognizing him for his many contributions both on and off the field.
