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Adam Wainwright News & Rumors

Wainwright wows with his best stuff
February 10
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"It was only 30 pitches in February before a collection of 20 players and staff on Field 2 behind Roger Dean Stadium. But it was also Adam Wainwright throwing effortlessly and with command — momentous stuff just two weeks before the anniversary of his elbow injury last year. Wainwright, who tore ligaments in his elbow and missed the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, threw 30 pitches warming up and another 30 to Cardinals infielder Tyler Greene, minor leaguers Robert Stock and Joseph Bergman, and former teammate Rick Ankiel. He mixed sinkers, cut fastballs and his signature curve … all for strikes and never above the knees. The performance was compelling enough for an impressed"
Wainwright says he feels 'danged good'
February 9
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Projections are cheap this time of year, especially for a pitcher less than a year removed from surgery. Approaching the anniversary of his elbow ligament transplant, Adam Wainwright has his own ideas about determining how much he can give the Cardinals this spring and this season. "I plan on letting my arm do my lobbying," Wainwright said Wednesday morning within an otherwise empty clubhouse at Roger Dean Stadium. Sixteen months after finishing as runner-up to National League Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay and three years after finishing third in controversial balloting to Tim Lincecum and teammate Chris Carpenter, Wainwright arguably represents the most significant addition within"
Wainwright on track for normal Spring Training
January 15
MLB.com
 
"It could well turn out that ten-plus months from now, when the Cardinals sit back to reflect upon their 2012 season, they will point out that the biggest boost of this offseason came not from some external addition, but rather from the return of an All-Star arm. The formidability of the club's rotation depends largely on the return of Adam Wainwright, who 10 1/2 months ago was undergoing season-ending Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. At the time of the procedure, St. Louis remained optimistic that Wainwright would recover in time to enjoy an uninterrupted 2012 season. And certainly, a best-case scenario has since followed."
Cards to bring Wainwright back for 2 more seasons
October 27
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"With so much talk Wednesday at Busch Stadium centering on what starter could pitch Game 7 of the World Series if the Cardinals win Game 6 tonight, rehabbing righthander Adam Wainwright had a suggestion for his coaches. He offered to skip today's scheduled side session. "Then I've got five innings for them in Game 7," he said. There were no takers. Five years to the day after he slipped a slider past Detroit's Brandon Inge to clinch the Cardinals' most recent World Series title, Wainwright will be in the dugout tonight for Game 6 as the club's cheerleader in chief — unable to donate anything more to the cause than what's left of his vocal chords."
Wainwright remembers WTC visit, on eve of Sept. 11
September 12
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The text message from his older brother came this past Saturday, a decade to the day after Adam Wainwright visited New York City to see Roger Clemens pitch and was scheduled to have a morning meeting on Sept. 11, 2001, near the World Trade Center. It read: "10 years ago today we were at the World Trade Center." On the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that destroyed the World Trade Center towers, struck The Pentagon, and killed nearly 3,000 citizens, a natural part of reflection and remembrance is answering a question: Where were you when the towers fell? The Cardinals were in Milwaukee, having followed Darryl Kile the night before to a shutout victory against the Brewers. Skip"
Cards will pick up Wainwright option
August 26
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The Cardinals will assume the two-year, $21 million option on starting pitcher Adam Wainwright, barring an unforeseen complication in his return from ligament replacement surgery in February, general manager John Mozeliak confirmed Thursday night. "There is no reason for us not to assume it," Mozeliak said. Mozeliak described the stance as "unofficial" because the club option doesn't need to be exercised until shortly after the season. Wainwright on Thursday described his rehab as accelerating on a positive slope that will allow him to return to the mound before mid-September. Wainwright recently received clearance to throw from 120 feet on flat ground and is able to one-hand 60-pound"
Wainwright making progress
August 23
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright, who has spent the entire season recovering from elbow surgery, unleashed 50 throws at a distance of 120 feet Monday. He'll repeat that workout this week with an eye on advancing to the mound in the near future. Wainwright said his throwing program was slowed by triceps soreness, but he's worked through the muscle ache and now could be throwing off the mound, though not at full strength, early in September."
Adam Wainwright progressing
July 26
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 (scroll down)
"Righthander Adam Wainwright, recovering from elbow surgery, reported back from a trip to his home in Georgia with a case of sunburn on his back and a renewed excitement about his throwing program. Wainwright, who is still targeted to be on a mound in September and holds out a pipe-dream hope of pitching in October, has been throwing from 60 feet, 6 inches (the distance from the pitching rubber to home plate). Three times a week, he has been making 75 tosses in three blocks of 25."
Wainwright fights to get back quickly
June 28
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Much like the 35 or so players who have been on the Cardinals' roster this season, Adam Wainwright is on a mission. Or at least he has a dream. "My modest goal," he said, "is try to talk them into letting me play on the playoff roster in October." There is one hitch in the Cardinals' righthander's case. He has not thrown a pitch all season after having Tommy John elbow surgery in late February, and the recovery time from such a procedure generally is pegged at closer to one year than seven months. And Wainwright agrees that chances are "probably bad" the club actually would accede to such a plan, no matter how he progresses in the next few months. But there is another reason Wainwright"
Wainwright ready to start rehab
March 16
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Standing in almost the same spot where three years earlier he fielded questions about the injury clause in his new contract, Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright, his arm in an articulated brace, conceded the hypothetical has become reality. And he insisted he's still content with his contract, including its $21-million two-year option that hinges on his health. "I'm actually really happy that I have that option, that I have that clause in there right now," Wainwright said Wednesday morning at the Cardinals' spring training clubhouse. "One way or the other, if I'm hurt and I can never come back I would feel bad taking that much money from a team I couldn't help. If (the Cardinals) don't want"
Wainwright eyes spring 2012
March 2
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"A day after undergoing elbow surgery, Cardinals righthander Adam Wainwright pledged he would return at full speed a year from now, meaning he thinks he'll be ready in spring training 2012. "I'm a little disappointed, but, at the same time, I know I'm probably prolonging my career now by going ahead and doing this when I'm doing it," Wainwright said in a conference call from St. Louis, where he had the surgery. "There was no way of getting around it," he said. "Both doctors that I saw — Dr. (George) Paletta and Dr. (Lewis) Yochim — gave me a 10 percent chance to heal without surgery, so it was something I had to do. Basically, the whole (ligament) was mangled." Paletta, head of the"
Wainwright surgery goes 'very well'
March 1
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Adam Wainwright underwent ligament replacement surgery on his right elbow this morning in St. Louis. The procedure went "very well," according to a team spokesman. The Cardinals intentionally did not use the word "successful" to describe the procedure because success will be determined by his ability to return within 12-15 months."
Cards prepare for life without Wainwright
February 25
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Suspicion became fact Thursday as the Cardinals announced that ace Adam Wainwright will require ligament replacement surgery on his right elbow. Four days before its first spring exhibition and more than four weeks before opening its regular season schedule, the club may have reached a fork in a well-traveled road. Team orthopedist Dr. George Paletta is scheduled to perform the procedure on Monday. Standard recovery from such surgery last 12 to 15 months. "Not to be melodramatic, but you're losing an ace," Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said during a briefing at Roger Dean Stadium. "It's not something you can just replace overnight. Some different people are going to have to step"
Jonny Gomes faces controversy head on
February 25
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Reds outfielder Jonny Gomes spent Thursday morning dousing the flames from the Adam Wainwright controversy. Gomes started an internet brush fire Wednesday when a report came out that he had celebrated a season-ending injury to Wainwright, the St. Louis Cardinals ace, by singing "Wainwright gone, Wainwright gone" in the Reds clubhouse. "I want to answer as many questions about it as I can," Gomes said. "I want to put it to bed. I'm not running from it." Gomes said he reached out to the Cardinals through a friend he has on the club, through Reds media relations director Rob Butcher and through his agents. "I would never wish an injury on anyone," Gomes said. Here's what happened Wednesday:"
Wainwright set for Tommy John surgery
February 25
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright will require Tommy John surgery to repair his elbow and he will miss the entire 2011 season, the club confirmed this morning. General manager John Mozeliak made the announcement at about 10 a.m. St. Louis time after a discussion with the pitcher and the team physician. All parties had been waiting on the results of a second opinion requested Wednesday evening from Dr. Lewis Yocum in the Los Angeles area. "We have confirmed that Adam Wainwright will require Tommy John surgery. So obviously, he'll be out for the year," Mozeliak said. "Not a real surprise to us, but certainly a disappointment and a finality to this process. As we look to the future now we"
Wainwright set for Tommy John surgery; will miss 2011 season
February 24
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"St. Louis Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright will require Tommy John surgery to repair his elbow and he will miss the entire 2011 season, the club confirmed this morning. General manager John Mozeliak made the announcement at about 10 a.m. St. Louis time after a discussion with the pitcher and the team physician. All parties had been waiting on the results of a second opinion requested Wednesday evening from Dr. Lewis Yocum in the Los Angeles area. "We have confirmed that Adam Wainwright will require Tommy John surgery. So obviously, he'll be out for the year," Mozeliak said. "Not a real surprise to us, but certainly a disappointment and a finality to this process. As we look to the future now"
Wainwright contract left hanging for now
February 24
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The Cardinals' starting rotation wasn't the only thing complicated by Wednesday's disclosure that Adam Wainwright may face elbow ligament transplant surgery. Wainwright's contract also becomes an issue. As part of a four-year, $15 million deal Wainwright signed in March 2008, the Cardinals may void a two-year, $21 million option for 2012 and 2013 if the 20-game winner ends this season on the disabled list with an arm- or shoulder-related injury. Ligament replacement would make the disabled list a certainty. The option vested last November when Wainwright finished among the top five in balloting for the NL Cy Young Award. (He finished second to unanimous winner Roy Halladay of the"
Wainwright expected to be out for season with elbow injury
February 24
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Adam Wainwright, the Cardinals' ace, projected opening-day starter and two-time Cy Young Award contender, will receive a second opinion today after an initial exam found enough damage to a ligament near his right elbow to suggest surgery that would put him out for this season and a large part of 2012. The injury is believed related to a forearm issue that led to Wainwright being sidelined after he gained his 20th win last September and, according to general manager John Mozeliak, may be traced to ligament problems in 1998 and 2004. Ligament replacement (Tommy John surgery) would cost the 29-year-old Wainwright this season and probably a significant portion of 2012. It could also make him a"
Wainwright injury tests entire organization
February 23
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 columnist Jeff Gordon
"Beloved outfielder Jim Edmonds never made it to Cardinals camp for his tryout, retiring from baseball due to foot problems without ever taking another swing. Infielder Nick Punto made it Cards camp, but immediately pulled up lame with a sports hernia. He could be sidelined for two months. Now comes word that staff ace Adam Wainwright might soon hear the prognosis every pitcher dreads: "Tommy John surgery." All this news -- following the team's failure to secure Albert Pujols with a contract extensionb -- leaves Cardinal Nation in a state of full-scale panic. The Cards have yet to play an exhibition game and their season is already falling apart. Latest reports from Jupiter indicate that"
Wainwright having elbow examined for 'significant' injury
February 23
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"St. Louis Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright has flown back to St. Louis this morning to have his right elbow examined this afternoon after he experienced discomfort in the joint. General manager John Mozeliak said he believes it is a "significant injury" and the early word is "not encouraging." Tommy John surgery is one alternative to repair the damage that Wainwright is being checked for. "After his bullpen on Monday he did feel something in his right elbow," Mozeliak said. "I can say just based on the initial evaluation from our training staff, things do not look encouraging. But before jump to any conclusions we'll just wait until the re-evaluation this afternoon." Mozeliak said there would"
Wainwright, Garcia face All-Stars in BP
February 21
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright, who will get Game 1 of the Grapefruit League season and could be eyeing an Opening Day start at Busch Stadium in late March, will take his first round of live batting practice this morning at Roger Dean Stadium's back fields. Several All-Stars will be awaiting him. Ditto Jaime Garcia. Wainwright, last year's runnerup in the NL Cy Young Award voting, will face the middle of the Cardinals order in his next step of prep. Set to hit against the righthander in Day 2 of Live BP rounds are Matt Holliday, Lance Berkman, Jon Jay, Gerald Laird, Albert Pujols and Colby Rasmus. The Cardinals are getting a late start to today's workout due to the annual meeting with"
Wainwright hungers to pitch even better
February 10
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"After consecutive seasons as a strong contender for the National League Cy Young Award, but not its winner, this is the sacrifice Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright is making to ascend from ace to elite: He has given up sweet tea. The pitcher who once passed the time on the disabled list with a quest for the best barbecue in St. Louis has halved his intake of beloved ribs and turned to sugarless sauces. French fries? Forgotten. Fried okra? Bumped from the plate. Fried chicken? A jilted friend. Wainwright went into a 16-day gastronomic detox this winter and emerged with a new diet, one that doesn't even include the drink that nourished his Southern roots, his wife's sweetened iced tea. "If"
Four Cardinals to be honored at writers' dinner
December 23
MLB.com
 
"Adam Wainwright, Albert Pujols, Matt Holliday and Tony La Russa will be recognized at the 2011 St. Louis Baseball Writers' Dinner, which is set for Sunday, Jan. 16, in downtown St. Louis. The annual event has been moved up from its usual Monday night to a Sunday evening in 2011, the day before the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. It takes place over the same weekend as the annual Cardinals Care Winter Warm-Up. The dinner will once again be held at the Millennium Hotel, very close to the Hyatt Regency, which hosts the Winter Warm-Up. Wainwright and Pujols will share recognition as the St. Louis Baseball Man of the Year, recognizing their superb seasons. Holliday will be honored with the"
Wainwright 'excited' about his consolation prize
November 17
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The Philadelphia Phillies' Roy Halladay has earned unanimous selection as the National League's Cy Young Award winner, the Baseball Writers Association of America announced Tuesday afternoon. The Cardinals' Adam Wainwright received a nice consolation prize. A year after receiving the most first-place votes en route to a controversial third-place finish, Wainwright polled second among ballots submitted by 32 scribes. The finish holds additional significance since it automatically vests Wainwright's two-year option for 2012-13. The years are worth a combined $21 million. Wainwright also receives a $100,000 bonus for today's finish. The only way the Cardinals can void the two-year option is"
Halladay edges Wainwright for peers' pitching award
October 28
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"While his arm didn't take the Philadelphia Phillies where they hoped this October, Roy "Doc" Halladay is still picking up the wins despite his season being over. Halladay is the Players' Choice selection as the National League's outstanding pitcher, finishing ahead of St. Louis Cardinals righthander Adam Wainwright and Colorado Rockies ace Ubaldo Jimenez in the annual vote of players. The results of the vote were announced this morning by the Major League Baseball Players Association. Tampa Bay Rays lefty David Price won the American League equivalent. Halladay pitched a perfect game during the regular season, pitched a no-hitter in the playoffs and was one of two pitchers to finish in"
Carpenter, La Russa weigh in on Cy Young Award
October 2
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Perhaps Cardinals righthander Chris Carpenter's two favorite active pitchers are Philadelphia's Roy Halladay, who spent eight seasons with Carpenter in the Toronto system and is one of Carpenter's best friends, and Cardinals righthander Adam Wainwright, whom Carpenter has grown to appreciate and admire. The two are the leading winners in the National League at 21 and 20 victories, respectively, and seem to be the two leading candidates for the Cy Young Award. "It will be interesting, no question about it," said Carpenter. "I knew coming in that (Halladay) had a shot. But I believe it's going to be tight. Those are the only two that should have consideration." Colorado's Ubaldo Jimenez"
Wainwright is done for the season
September 29
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Cardinals righthander Adam Wainwright pitched through stiffness and discomfort in his right elbow Friday to claim his 20th victory, but he won't try for No. 21 out of concern another start could turn minor irritation into a major setback. Wainwright will not pitch again this season after being diagnosed Monday with a muscle strain near his right elbow and an inflamed nerve within the joint. A scan of the elbow revealed no additional damage, and team physician Dr. George Paletta recommended late Monday night that Wainwright skip his next scheduled start to avoid stressing the joint and possibly causing a more significant injury. "All of those muscles are designed to help keep your muscle"
Elbow is bothering Wainwright
September 28
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Any notion of squeezing two more starts for Adam Wainwright into the final week of the season vanished when the righthander described increasing stiffness in his right elbow. Now, his one remaining start is uncertain. After Monday's game, Wainwright said a team doctor examined the arm and that he was told there would be no need for an MRI today. The pitcher had been told a decision about his next start would be reached today. Wainwright became the National League's second 20-game winner with six innings Friday at Wrigley Field, and he said the elbow tightened throughout the game. He said he first injured the elbow by jerking it awkwardly as he was sleeping the night before his 19th"
Wainwright nails down his 20th win
September 25
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"By their own admission, the Cardinals have constructed an unsightly second half. By their own doing, they put together a perfect Friday afternoon at Wrigley Field. In a 7-1 win over the Chicago Cubs, starting pitcher Adam Wainwright found justice by becoming the franchise's first pitcher since 2005 and only the fourth in 25 years to secure 20 wins in a season. Kyle McClellan found redemption by helping him get there. Denied the goal last October, Wainwright (20-11) joined Darryl Kile, Matt Morris and Chris Carpenter as 20-game winners since 2000 by defeating a dangerous lineup on a day with a hitter's wind. A lineup that has scratched for runs didn't make him wait for support Friday,"
Wainwright goes for No. 20 today
September 24
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"For the second year in a row, St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright stands on the precipice of becoming a 20-game winner. He will try to become the second 20-game winner in his league after Philadelphia's Roy Halladay, and after New York Yankees lefthander CC Sabathia in the American League. But Wainwright (19-11) said Thursday he won't really consider the impact of the moment until after today's 1:20 p.m. game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. "It's just another game, but after the game I'll be excited when we win," Wainwright said. Wainwright said his self-imposed discipline was "just me guarding myself about getting too excited about something that might not happen. "I"
Wainwright edges closer to milestone
September 20
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"At this juncture of a shrinking schedule, the Cardinals ask only for a shot at the remarkable. And at this point of his ace's season, manager Tony La Russa would like to do the same for Adam Wainwright. The two goals meshed neatly Sunday before a Busch Stadium crowd of true believers as Wainwright was perfect through three innings, unhittable through five innings and merely dominant through eight as the Cardinals claimed a third win within their four-game series against the San Diego Padres. A two-run first inning against Padres starter Jon Garland, a fourth-inning sacrifice fly and a sixth-inning home run from the Cardinals' rejuvenated center fielder provided plenty enough for Wainwright"
Wainwright struggles vs. Reds
September 5
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Adam Wainwright hit 200 innings Saturday afternoon. He and the Cardinals insist the 200 innings aren't hitting back. The Cincinnati Reds did their best against Wainwright to clean up any remaining suspense in a division race they again lead by eight games. Employing the unusual mix of three early unearned runs and a pitcher's home run to take down the Cardinals' 17-game winner, the Reds secured a 6-1 win before 44,596 at Busch Stadium and a national television audience. Wainwright (17-10) entered August having never lost three consecutive major-league starts. Ambushed Saturday by three first-inning runs, he suffered his fourth defeat in as many games, lasting five innings for a second"
Wainwright remembers tips from Gibson
August 21
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 columnist Rick Hummel
"Cardinals righthander Adam Wainwright already this season has recorded scoreless streaks of 26 and 25 1/3 innings. This, in a way, nearly matches Bob Gibson, the greatest Cardinals righthander of them all, except that Gibson had all 47 of his scoreless innings in one swoop in his landmark 1968 season when he had a 1.12 earned-run average. Gibson allowed two earned runs in 92 innings in June and July of that year. Wainwright, at 17-7 with at least nine starts remaining, has a chance to be the winningest Cardinals starter in 40 years. Since Gibson, of course. If Wainwright were to win six of those nine starts, he would have 23 victories, matching Gibson's total in 1970. At 2.06, Wainwright's"
Wainwright laments costly mistakes
August 19
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The Cardinals have happened on a disturbing pattern of 3-2 games. In their last four contests here, they have played three games that ended up at 3-2. All were losses, and so was the other game, for that matter. Cardinals righthander Adam Wainwright knows exactly where that decisive run came on Wednesday at Busch Stadium. Battling Milwaukee's Randy Wolf in a scoreless game in the fifth inning, Wainwright not only allowed a rare steal of third base off him, but he failed to make a fielding play that his Gold Glove status would suggest — and Wainwright would suggest — that he should make. And the Brewers scored what proved to be the winning run. Speedy rookie Lorenzo Cain was at second after"
Wainwright outperforms contract
August 17
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"When Adam Wainwright and the Cardinals negotiated a contract extension in 2008 that would overwrite his arbitration years, the righthander saw welcome peace where his agent saw reduced price. Steve Hammond warned his client about the deal, about not sacrificing potential salary for immediate security. His agent told Wainwright that he should bank on his ability, and Hammond described to him the kind of seasons that could be in his future. Seasons like this one. Wainwright (17-6) will start against Milwaukee on Wednesday as the only starting pitcher in the majors with a sub-2.00 ERA. He is the first pitcher since Dwight Gooden in 1985 to have 25 starts and an ERA less than 2.00 through his"
No shortage of contenders for NL Cy Young
August 15
Wilmington News Journal
 
"With seven innings of two-hit ball in a win over Cincinnati on Wednesday, Adam Wainwright not only gave St. Louis a leg up in its National League Central race with the Reds, but he may have made his best case for the league's Cy Young Award while he was at it. Wainwright now leads the NL in wins with 17 and ERA at 1.99 and appears to be the odds-on favorite to take home the award. That doesn't mean there isn't a crowded field of competitors, however. The Phillies' Roy Halladay was on the mound against the Mets on Saturday and has been nearly as masterful as Wainwright through much of the season. At 14-8, Halladay's record isn't quite as sparkling, but he rivals the Cardinals' right-hander"
Wainwright a solid Cy Young candidate
August 15
Courier-Post
 
"With seven innings of two-hit ball in a win over Cincinnati on Wednesday, Adam Wainwright not only gave St. Louis a leg up on its National League Central race with the Reds, but he may have made his best case for the league's Cy Young Award while he was at it. Wainwright now leads the NL in wins with 17 and ERA at 1.99 and appears to be the odds-on favorite to take home the award. That doesn't mean there isn't a crowded field of competitors, however. The Phillies' Roy Halladay was on the mound against the Mets on Saturday and has been nearly as masterful as Wainwright through much of the season. At 14-8, Halladay's record isn't quite as sparkling, but he rivals the Cardinals' right-hander"
Bad night for Wainwright
July 28
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Long before the hitter he tried to walk launched a game-breaking homer, Adam Wainwright knew his grand return to Queens was going to be a slog. He felt out of sorts before even throwing a pitch. In what has become a season defined by inconsistencies, the Cardinals' biggest constant succumbed to the trend as Wainwright allowed a season-high six runs in an 8-2 drubbing by the New York Mets. Wainwright's first appearance on a mound in New York since his curveball froze Carlos Beltran and won the 2006 National League Championship Series was everything that pitch was not: erratic and forgettable. "Poor execution leads to poor results," Wainwright said. "My body was fighting itself to get in the"
Wainwright likely to pitch instead of Carpenter
July 13
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Righthander Chris Carpenter has pitched in just one All-Star Game, the 2005 game he started for the National League. But Carpenter said Monday that instead of pitching in his second All-Star Game tonight — he was on the 2006 roster but didn't play — he would rather see first-time All-Star Adam Wainwright get a chance to pitch. "There's no question about it. And I'm going to tell Mr. Manuel that," Carpenter said, referring to National League manager Charlie Manuel of Philadelphia. Wainwright, told by his Cardinals All-Star teammates to soak up as much of the All-Star atmosphere as he can, said, "I have no expectations or no understanding of how this works. I'm used to watching this game on"
What about Wainwright as NL's closer?
July 10
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"When the first batch of hitters was announced for Monday's Home Run Derby and St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright noticed there were a few openings on the National League side, he had an idea. Either he should pitch to Toronto outfielder Vernon Wells , he deadpanned, or maybe he could hit. Hey, he has been open about his plan to win a Silver Slugger award some time in his career, and he has been known to crank some homers during batting practice. But as Wainwright preps to make his final start of the first half and match Chris Carpenter's total of 13 wins before the break in 2005, perhaps there's another role Wainwright could play for the NL next week. Closer. 1."
What about Wainwright as NL's closer?
July 9
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"When the first batch of hitters was announced for Monday's Home Run Derby and St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright noticed there were a few openings on the National League side, he had an idea. Either he should pitch to Toronto outfielder Vernon Wells, he deadpanned, or maybe he could hit. Hey, he has been open about his plan to win a Silver Slugger award some time in his career, and he has been known to crank some homers during batting practice. But as Wainwright preps to make his final start of the first half and match Chris Carpenter's total of 13 wins before the break in 2005, perhaps there's another role Wainwright could play for the NL next week. Closer. 1. Philadelphia"
Adam Wainwright delivers an All-Star quality performance
July 5
St. Louis Globe-Democrat
 
"Adam Wainwright has pitched like an All-Star for the past two years. On Sunday, he became one. A few hours before he took the mound at Busch Stadium to pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers, Wainwright was told by manager Tony La Russa that he was one of five Cardinals selected for the July 13 game in Anaheim, Calif. It is the first time since he was pitching in Double A in 2003 that Wainwright has been named an All-Star, an honor he had to block out of his mind until after his day's work was complete. Shortly before 4 p.m., he had more reasons to celebrate. Continuing his dominance at home, Wainwright pitched and hit the Cardinals to a 7-1 victory over the Brewers that improved his overall"
Wainwright turns in an All-Star performance
July 5
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"His peers made their pronouncement official Sunday morning. The pitcher wasted no time ratifying their belief in the afternoon. Waino is bueno. Indeed, for the first time in his glowing six-year major-league career, Adam Wainwright learned before a Sunday start against the Milwaukee Brewers that for the first time he is All-Star bueno. Wainswright's concise reply was to offer the Cardinals a 99-pitch, complete-game five-hitter that featured nine strikeouts without a walk. The 7-1 decision elevated Wainwright to the league lead in strikeouts, to second place in innings pitched and to two wins within Colorado Rockies ace Ubaldo Jimenez's major-league lead. Cardinals manager Tony La Russa"
Five Cardinals On All-Star Team
July 4
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The Cardinals had five players selected to the National League All-Star team today, tying Atlanta for the most in the league. Albert Pujols was voted in by the fans at first base and was the leading votegetter among NL players. This will be Pujols' ninth straight All-Star Game and it's the second time in a row he has led the overall voting in the league. Catcher Yadier Molina, despite his .231 average, was named the starter at his position for the second straight time. He also celebrated this morning the birth of a baby girl, Arianna, born Saturday night."
Wainwright returns to form, pitches Cardinals over Arizona
June 30
St. Louis Globe-Democrat
 
"Adam Wainwright returned to a familiar role Tuesday night. Less than 24 hours after he laid down a key bunt and scored the winning run in a ninth-inning rally, the Cardinals starter was back on the mound at Busch Stadium. Once again, he proved to be unbeatable at home. Wainwright extended his major-league record with his 23rd consecutive quality start at home by throwing 6 1/3 scoreless innings in the Cardinals' 8-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. This season, Wainwright has won all eight of his starts and posted a 1.49 ERA at Busch Stadium. "I always like going out there and carrying my team as long as I can," he said. With the victory, the Cardinals moved back into first place in"
Adam Wainwright scores winning run -- one night before he pitches
June 29
St. Louis Globe-Democrat
 
"It was a typical scene in the St. Louis Cardinals' clubhouse. Pitcher Adam Wainwright was surrounded by reporters, discussing a victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. There is just one catch. Wainwright is Tuesday night's scheduled starter. That was just a small part of what Cardinals manager Tony La Russa described as a "really weird game." Pinch-hitter Wainwright scored the winning run on a throwing error, capping a three-run rally in the bottom of the ninth inning, as the Cardinals pulled off a bizarre 6-5 win over the Diamondbacks Monday night at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals used a pair of singles and took advantage of two errors by the Diamondbacks to score the three unearned runs and"
Wainwright roughed up by Blue Jays
June 25
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Of all the things Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright has experienced in his budding career — from closing out a World Series to marathon streaks of consistency as a starter — he had little to draw on to explain Thursday's dud. It arrived at an unusual result unusually quick. The Toronto Blue Jays avoided an interleague sweep by seizing on a wobbly Wainwright for three runs in the first inning and all of the runs in a 5-0 victory before Wainwright got his second out of the third inning. The Cardinals' righthander completed only four innings Thursday at Rogers Centre, ending a run of 51 consecutive starts with at least five innings and leaving him uncertain what to make of an unfamiliar"
Adam Wainwright more excited about his hitting than his pitching
June 15
St. Louis Globe-Democrat
 
"Forget the 21 successive quality starts at home. Or the flawless 6-0 record at Busch Stadium. The first thing St. Louis right-hander Adam Wainwright wanted to talk about Monday night following the Cardinals' 9-3 win over Seattle was his hitting prowess. He might be one of the hottest pitchers in the National League but he still remains genuinely proud of his batting stroke. "I've been feeling good lately," he said. "I'm starting to see the ball better, put better swings on it." Wainwright went 1-for-3 at the plate against Seattle with a second-inning double, a walk and a hard-hit line drive out to left. A career .226 hitter, Wainwright has pushed his average to .132 following a dismal"
Wainwright again shows his durability
June 15
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Monday night's 9-3 Cardinals win over Seattle marked an even 100 major-league starts for righthander Adam Wainwright. Since he became a member of the rotation in 2007, Wainwright has compiled a 53-27 mark in those 100 starts and has pitched six innings or more an almost unbelievable 45 times in his last 46 starts. "I'd like to have a few hundred more here," said Wainwright, who then joked, "It's never too early to start talking about extensions, is it?" Made aware of his 45-in-46 streak, Wainwright said, "I should have had that (46th) one, too. And I blew it. Six runs in the fifth." On Sept. 4, 2009, Wainwright carried a five-run lead into the bottom of the fifth at Pittsburgh but allowed"