ST. LOUIS – The end of an era has almost arrived. Adam Wainwright will officially retire after the St. Louis Cardinals’ final homestand of the 2023 season this weekend.
Wainwright wrapped up his MLB pitching career with his 200th career win in his final start. He will not pitch in an upcoming three-game series with the Cincinnati Reds, but there’s hope he might take one more at-bat in a low-leverage situation.
The Cardinals also plan to honor Uncle Charlie with a series of activities and events over the next three days. Fans can sign a giant card to thank Wainwright for his career ahead of Friday’s game, Wainwright will perform a postgame concert on Saturday and the Cardinals will honor him with a pregame ceremony on Sunday.
With a big weekend planned ahead, it’s fitting to remember Wainwright’s journey and many moments that helped him become one of the most prolific pitchers in Cardinals history.
FOX 2 looks back on Adam Wainwright’s accomplishments and the Top 10 individual baseball moments of his illustrious career.
Stats & Accolades
18 MLB seasons played (2005-2010 and 2012-2023)
478 games/411 games started
PITCHING
2,668.1 innings pitched
200-128 record (.610 winning percentage)
3.53 ERA (earned run average)
1.24 WHIP (walks-hits per innings pitched)
2,202 strikeouts
28 complete games
11 shutouts
BATTING
143 hits/742 at-bats (.193 batting average)
10 home runs
75 RBI
55 runs scored
AWARDS/ACCOLADES
2006 World Series Champion
Three-time All-Star (2010, 2013, 2014)
Two-time Gold Glove Award winner (2009, 2013)
2017 Silver Slugger Award
2020 Roberto Clemente Award (honoring sportsmanship)
Launched the Big League Impact charity (2013)
Honorable Mentions
First, let’s reflect on some honorable mentions that FOX 2 deemed as almost Top-10 worthy baseball moments:
April 6, 2007: Wainwright tosses seven innings and wins his first MLB start against the Houston Astros.
June 4, 2010: Wainwright earns a shutout win for the first time in his career, holding the Milwaukee Brewers to two hits.
May 11, 2013: Wainwright flirts with Cardinals history and starts the game with 7.1 no-hit innings in a win over the Colorado Rockies.
Oct. 28, 2013: Wainwright goes seven innings in his second and final World Series start, ending with a Game 5 loss to the Boston Red Sox, but keeping the Cardinals within striking distance.
July 14, 2014: Wainwright starts the MLB All-Star game for the first and only time of his career.
Oct. 6, 2019: Wainwright cruises through 7.2 scoreless innings in an NLDS start against the Atlanta Braves, and was in position for a win until some late bullpen misfortunes.
Many of those moments alone would rival the top moments for an average MLB pitcher, but to miss the Top 10 shows just how wonderful of a career Wainwright has given to the Cardinals and Major League Baseball.
;St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright tips his cap after earning the win in a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers for his 200th career victory Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson);St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright celebrates after earning the win in a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers for his 200th career victory Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)St. Louis Cardinals Yadier Molina, left, leaps into the arms of pitcher Adam Wainwright after beating the New York Mets 3-1 in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series, Thursday, Oct. 19, 2006, at Shea Stadium in New York.(AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright celebrates after beating the New York Mets 3-1 in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series, Thursday, Oct. 19, 2006, at Shea Stadium in New York. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina (4) leaps into the arms of pitcher Adam Wainwright after the Cardinals beat the Detroit Tigers 4-2 in Game 5 to win the World Series on Friday, Oct. 27, 2006 in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)St. Louis Cardinals Adam Wainwright (50) celebrates with catcher Yadier Molina, right, as Detroit Tigers’ Sean Casey walks off the field in the ninth inning of Game 5 of the World Series on Friday, Oct. 27, 2006 in St. Louis. At left St. Louis Cardinals Scott Rolen hugs teammate Albert Pujols. The Cardinals defeated the Tigers 4-2 to take the world series 4 games to 1.(AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)St. Louis Cardinals closer Adam Wainwright, right, and catcher Yadier Molina congratulate each other following the Cardinals’ 2-0 victory over the San Diego Padres in game two of their National League Divisional Series baseball game Thursday, Oct. 5, 2006, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright reacts after striking out Houston Astros’ Jason Michaels to end the top of the eighth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright works during the third inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Saturday, June 23, 2007, in St. Louis. The Cardinals won the game, 8-3. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright stands in the dugout during a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds Monday, June 1, 2009, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)St. Louis Cardinals’ Adam Wainwright gets congratulated by third base coach Jose Oquendo after hitting a solo home run in the third inning against the San Diego Padres in a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 14, 2009 in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, right, and teammate Adam Wainwright hold their gold glove trophies before the start of a baseball game against the New York Mets Saturday, April 17, 2010, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright (50) sets to deliver in the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tuesday, July 24, 2012, in St. Louis. The Cardinals won 8-2. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)St. Louis Cardinals’ Adam Wainwright winds up to deliver a pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)St. Louis Cardinals’ Adam Wainwright speaks during a news conference, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, in St. Louis. Wainwright is scheduled to start for the Cardinals in Game 1 of the National League division series against the Washington Nationals on Sunday. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright smiles while talking to reporters during practice in preparation for Monday’s Game 3 of the National League baseball championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright throws during spring training baseball Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, in Jupiter, Fla. Wainwright missed all of last season after having Tommy John surgery during spring training last year. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright throws during the first inning of Game 4 of baseball’s National League championship series against the San Francisco Giants Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Dilip Vishwanat, Pool)St. Louis Cardinals starting pitchers Adam Wainwright, left, and Chris Carpenter stand in the dugout during the ninth inning 5-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates in a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh Friday, Aug. 30, 2013. The Pirates won 5-0. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright acknowledges the crowd as he leaves the field after the Cardinals defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1 in Game 5 of a National League baseball division series, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. The Cardinals advanced to the NL championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright celebrates after Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig grounded into a double play to end the bottom of the sixth inning of a baseball game, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Los Angeles. Dee Gordon was out at second base. (AP Photo/Danny Moloshok)St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright points to a teammate with runners on base during the second inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, June 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)St. Louis Cardinals Adam Wainwright (50) applauds Matt Holliday’s third-inning, two-run, double, on which he and Aledmys Diaz, scored in a baseball game against the New York Mets, Wednesday, July 27, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright (50) appears in relief during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015. The Pirates won 8-2. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright smiles during baseball practice at Busch Stadium Friday, July 3, 2020, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright wears a protective face mask as he watches from the dugout during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright listens to a question during a news conference at the baseball National League Division Series Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, in St. Louis. Wainwright is expected to start when the Cardinals play Game 3 of the series against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright smiles as he answers a question during a news conference at the baseball National League Division Series Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, in St. Louis. Wainwright is expected to start when the Cardinals play Game 3 of the series against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright (50) reacts after striking out Los Angeles Dodgers’ Joc Pederson to end the top of the fifth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Thursday, April 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright throws during the first inning of the team’s baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday Sept. 14, 2022, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright tips his cap to fans after getting the final out of a complete game, two-hit, shut-out of the Pittsburgh Pirates in a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021. The Cardinals won 4-0. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright bunts a pitch during a spring training baseball workout Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, in Jupiter, Fla. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)St. Louis Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright reacts after Los Angeles Dodgers’ Trea Turner grounds out in to a double play during the third inning of a National League Wild Card playoff baseball game Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright celebrates with teammates following a 2-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies in a baseball game Sunday, May 9, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)St. Louis Cardinals’ Adam Wainwright hits a three-run home run during a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Monday, May 2, 2016, in St. Louis. The Cardinals won the game 10-3. (AP Photo/Billy Hurst)St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina (4) talks with starting pitcher Adam Wainwright (50) during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, in St. Louis. (AP Photo / Scott Kane)St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright, right, is congratulated by Yadier Molina after throwing a complete baseball game to defeat the Atlanta Braves, Friday, Aug. 23, 2013, in St. Louis. The Cardinals won 3-1. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright (50) is congratulated by catcher Yadier Molina after throwing a complete baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012, in St. Louis. The Cardinals won 6-1. (AP Photo/Jeff Curry)St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright, right, gets a hug from teammate Yadier Molina after throwing a complete game shutout during a baseball game against the Miami Marlins Saturday, July 16, 2016, in St. Louis. The Cardinals won 5-0. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright, left, celebrates with catcher Yadier Molina after the Cardinals defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1 to win Game 5 of a National League baseball division series, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. The Cardinals advanced to the NL championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright (50) celebrates with catcher Yadier Molina after Wainwright struck out Pittsburgh Pirates’ Pedro Alvarez in the ninth inning to win Game 5 of a National League baseball division series, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. The Cardinals won 6-1, and advanced to the NL championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. (AP Photo/Sarah Conard)St. Louis Cardinals’ Yadier Molina, left, celebrates with Adam Wainwright after Wainwright pitched nine complete innings against the Cleveland Indians, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright watches from the dugout during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)St. Louis Cardinals’ Adam Wainwright smiles in the dugout during the third inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Friday, Oct. 1, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)St. Louis Cardinals’ Yadier Molina, left, and Adam Wainwright walk in from the bullpen after warming up for the team’s baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday Sept. 14, 2022, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols, center, hugs teammate Yadier Molina, left, with fellow teammate Adam Wainwright (50) after being introduced before the start of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates Thursday, April 7, 2022, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, left, and starting pitcher Adam Wainwright walk from the bullpen before a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Philip G. Pavely)St. Louis Cardinals’ Adam Wainwright speaks with media after breaking the MLB record for most starts as a battery with St. Louis Cardinals’ Yadier Molina after a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday Sept. 14, 2022, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina (4) talks with starting pitcher Adam Wainwright (50) during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, in St. Louis. (AP Photo / Scott Kane)St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright points after striking out Pittsburgh Pirates’ Bryan Reynolds during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates Thursday, April 7, 2022, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 06: Adam Wainwright #50 of the St. Louis Cardinals reacts after catching a line drive out by Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers to end in the first inning during the National League Wild Card Game at Dodger Stadium on October 06, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)ST LOUIS, MISSOURI – SEPTEMBER 18: Adam Wainwright #50 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning at Busch Stadium on September 18, 2023 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images)
Top 10 Moments
There’s certainly room for debate as to Adam Wainwright’s best individual baseball moments of his career. He might tell you differently, and there are certainly different perspectives within Cardinal Nation.
After thorough research and thought, FOX 2 deemed these the Top-10 baseball moments in Adam Wainwright’s career.
10) May 22, 2012 – First CG after TJ
Wainwright fires his first complete game shutout just over a year removed from Tommy John surgery. Nine innings, nine strikeouts and just four hits allowed in a 4-0 home victory over the San Diego Padres.
9) Aug. 11, 2021 – A “Maddux game”
Wainwright enjoys a “Maddux game,” an unofficial baseball term in honor of Hall of Famer Greg Maddux. He often completed nine-inning starts on less than 100 pitches. Against the Pittsburgh Pirates on the road, Wainwright did just that. He covers nine shutout innings on just 88 pitches, by far the fewest he’s needed to go the distance in his career. The Cardinals win 4-0, and Wainwright allows just two hits without allowing a free pass.
8) Aug. 30, 2020 – Big birthday winner
On his 39th birthday, Wainwright turns back the clock for a pandemic-shortened season complete game. He powers through his first complete game in four seasons, striking out nine while containing the then-Cleveland Indians to two runs for a 7-2 victory.
7) May 24, 2006 – Homer-happy history
Wainwright gets a rare hitting opportunity as a rookie season as a relief pitcher and makes the most of it. He takes San Francisco’s Noah Lowry deep for a home run on the first pitch of his first MLB at-bat. To date, Wainwright is one of 22 players (and seven pitchers) to go yard on the first pitch of his first at-bat. The Cardinals won 10-4 over the Giants.
6) May 20, 2014 – Best game ever?
Many baseball enthusiasts consider this the best regular-season start of Wainwright’s career, and it ended with a game score of 94. For perspective, 50 is an average game score and 100s usually only happen on perfect games. At home against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Wainwright goes the distance for a one-hit shutout on 115 pitches. He struck out nine and only allowed one baserunner to reach (future teammate Paul Goldschmidt) in a 5-0 win.
5) Oct. 9, 2013 – A clincher from start to finish
Wainwright shines in a winner-take-all NLDS Game 5 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He fires nine innings of one-run ball and strikes out six, finishing the effort with a swinging strike of Pedro Alvarez and a celebration on point with another soon-to-be mentioned Top 10 moment. With a 6-1 victory, the Cardinals advance to the NLCS for a third straight year, paving the way to their most recent trip to the World Series.
4) Oct. 27, 2006 – Final out of the 2006 World Series
Wainwright gets a chance to finish off his third straight postseason series in Game 5 of the Fall Classic. He tosses a scoreless inning against the Detroit Tigers and whiffs Brandon Inge on his signature curveball to secure the 2006 World Series. To date, Wainwright remains the only player to close out a World Series in the 21st century as a rookie. The Cardinals won the game 4-2.
3) Sept. 18, 2023 – 200th career victory
Wainwright empties the tank for his 200th win of his career in what eventually represents the final game of his MLB career. His quest for a major MLB milestone came with some uncertainties amid injuries and a nearly three-month stretch without a win. He earned win No. 199 just six nights before in Baltimore and was motivated to get 200 at home. Wainwright goes seven strong and allows just four hits, and the bullpen helps preserve a narrow lead for a 1-0 victory. Wainwright calls the game and celebration afterwards a “Top 3” moment of his MLB career. We will too.
2) Sept. 14, 2022 – All-time battery kings
Wainwright teams up to a record that might never be broken. Wainwright and longtime backstop Yadier Molina make their 325th career start as a MLB battery, officially passing Mickey Lolich and Bill Freehan of the Detroit Tigers for the top spot. Wainwright grinds through five innings of one-run ball to secure a 4-1 victory, also coming against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Wainwright-Molina duo shatters a decades-long record and finished with 328 combined starts together.
1) Oct. 19, 2006 – The Most Iconic Moment
Wainwright faces the toughest test of his rookie season and offers an early glimpse to his exciting future with the Cardinals. He gets tasked with closing out the ninth inning in a win-or-go-home Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS. The assignment comes minutes after battery mate Yadier Molina delivered a late go-ahead home run for a 3-1 Cardinals lead. The New York Mets load the bases with two outs, bringing up frequent postseason hero Carlos Beltran to the plate. On three pitches, ending with his signature curveball, Wainwright strikes out Beltran, stuns the Mets in Queens and sends the Cardinals to the World Series. This is, without a doubt, the most thrilling moment of Wainwright’s career.
