“Uncle Charlie” will return to St. Louis in his 18th season.
Reports of Wainwright’s return to the Cardinals come just over two weeks after longtime teammate Albert Pujols ended his future Hall of Fame career by retiring at the end of the 2022 campaign. Catcher Yadier Molina – a longtime playmate of “Waino” – has also announced his retirement, after a 19-year career that saw him make 10 All-Stars and win nine Golden Glove awards.
In one of the warmer moments of Cardinals season, the trio get out of the yard at Busch Stadium midway through the final home game of the season against each other in early October.
If Wainwright can stay healthy next season, he should have a good chance of joining the 200-winning club. He currently has a career record of 195-117.
Wainwright ended the 2021 campaign with a difference of 11-12 and 3.71 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in 191 2/3 innings launched including 32 starts. The 41-year-old has made at least 31 appearances in three seasons in a rowExcluding the 2020 season due to pandemic variability.
