By the time Adam Wainwright made his first start, his bona fides as a stopper already had earned their place in St. Louis Cardinals history. During the 2006 playoffs, Wainwright made nine scoreless appearances, including four saves. In the National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres, he threw 1 1/3 innings in Game …
April 6, 2007: Adam Wainwright wins his first career start Read More »
Prior to his September 3, 2001, start against the Padres, the 11th of his major league career, Bud Smith already had experience throwing no-hitters. As a high school junior, he had thrown one. He had even thrown two the previous season while pitching for the Cardinals’ Double-A affiliate in Arkansas, though admittedly both of those …
September 3, 2001: Rookie Bud Smith throws a no-hitter Read More »
Even before Chicago Cubs left-hander Glendon Rusch threw the game’s first pitch to St. Louis Cardinals leadoff batter Tony Womack, tensions were high in Wrigley Field. The previous night, the fireworks started when Jim Edmonds hit a two-run home run off Chicago’s Carlos Zambrano. The fiery Cubs right-hander felt that Edmonds spent too long admiring …
July 20, 2004: Albert Pujols goes 5-for-5 with three home runs in Cardinals’ comeback Read More »
When Rick Ankiel arrived at Busch Stadium III on August 9, 2007, it had been almost seven years since he’d thrown five wild pitches in Game 1 of the National League Division Series and tied a 110-year-old record. It had been almost three years since he’d been in the majors, and 2 ½ years since …
August 9, 2007: Rick Ankiel homers in his return to the majors – as an outfielder Read More »
Heading into the game that came to define his career, 21-year-old rookie left-hander Rick Ankiel wasn’t nervous. “I was not hurt. I was not afraid. I was not sick or distracted or particularly anxious,” he wrote 17 years later. “In game one of the National League Division Series, on a warm and sunny afternoon with …
