Adam Wainwright
Encyclopedia
Adam Parrish Wainwright is a right-handed starting pitcher
in Major League Baseball
for the St. Louis Cardinals
. He was drafted 29th overall by the Atlanta Braves
in the 2000 amateur draft. He made his major league debut for the St. Louis Cardinals on September 11, 2005 against the New York Mets
.
, Wainwright planned to play college baseball for Georgia Tech
, signing a letter of intent with the Yellow Jackets. But, when he was selected 29th overall in the first round of the 2000 amateur draft by his favorite team, the Atlanta Braves
, Wainwright chose to forgo college and go straight to the pros, signing a contract with the Braves that included a $1.25 million bonus.
In December 2003, Wainwright was sent to the Cardinals along with pitchers Jason Marquis
and Ray King
in a trade that sent outfielder J. D. Drew
and utility man
Eli Marrero
to the Atlanta Braves
. After two somewhat uneven seasons in the Cardinals' minor-league system, Wainwright made his MLB debut for St. Louis on September 11, 2005.
, Wainwright hit a home run
against Noah Lowry
of the San Francisco Giants
http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/media/player/mp_tpl.jsp?w_id=497354&w=mms%3A//a1503.v108692.c10869.g.vm.akamaistream.net/7/1503/10869/v0001/mlb.download.akamai.com/10869/2006/open/tp/archive05/052406_slnsfn_wainwright_hr_tp_350.wmv&pid=mlb_tp&gid=2006/05/24/slnmlb-sfnmlb-1&mid=200605241470131&cid=mlb&fid=mlb_tp350&v=2&mType=w&urlstr=&mUrl=&type=v_free&_mp=1; he became the 22nd batter in Major League history to hit a home run off his first pitch thrown in his first at-bat, and the 11th National Leaguer.
Wainwright pitched capably as a middle reliever, but when Cardinal closer Jason Isringhausen
underwent season-ending hip surgery in September, Wainwright was pressed into service as the closer. He saved two crucial games on Sept. 27 and Sept. 30 as St. Louis held off a late charge by Houston and won the NL Central Division championship.
The Cardinals, who made the postseason despite an unexceptional 83–78 record, rolled through October to win their 10th world championship
in franchise history. Wainwright, the new closer, took center stage:
lost for the year due to elbow surgery, Wainwright emerged as the most reliable Cardinals starter. On August 10, he threw the first complete game of his career in a 2–1 loss to Los Angeles
. (It would be the only nine-inning complete game for the Cardinals in all of 2007). By September he had established himself as the staff ace in the absence of Chris Carpenter, going 9–6 with a 2.94 ERA since mid-May. Wainwright finished his first year as a starter by leading the Cardinals in almost every pitching category—games started, innings pitched, strikeouts, and wins—and compiling a 3.70 ERA and a 14–12 record.
He pitched the NL Central Division clinching game-winner against the Colorado Rockies
at Coors Field
, 6–3, on September 26, going 8 innings, walking one, striking out 11 and giving up just two earned runs while pitching out of an eighth-inning jam for his ML-leading 19th win.
On October 28, 2009, he won the NL Most Outstanding Pitcher (Players Choice Award).
Wainwright also was a top contender for Cy Young with teammate Chris Carpenter
and eventual winner Tim Lincecum
. He became only the second pitcher (Trevor Hoffman
being the first) ever to get the most first place votes and not win the award.
He won his first Gold Glove Award
on November 11, 2009
.
had 21 wins). He also pitched two shutouts this season, the first two of his career. His first was against the Brewers on June 4 and the other against the Marlins on August 6.
Wainwright pitched in his first All Star Game. He faced 5 batters, throwing 17 pitches, 10 strikes and 7 balls. He allowed no runs, while giving up 1 hit, a double off the glove of fellow Cardinal's teammate Matt Holliday
, and had 1 walk with 2 strikeouts.
Wainwright was the runner-up for the 2010 NL Cy Young Award, finishing second in voting behind unanimous winner Roy Halladay.
after undergoing necessary Tommy John surgery
on his right elbow
after indicating discomfort in pitching batting practice on February 21. The procedure was be done by George Paletta, the Cardinals' physician. He would miss all of 2011 and possibly the first few months of the 2012 season because recovery time is usually 12 to 15 months. His 2012 and 2013 options totaling $21 million will not automatically vest if he is on the disabled list at the end of the 2011 season.
The Feb. 28 surgery in St. Louis was described as "successful". Paletta performed the same surgery on Chris Carpenter
, Jaime Garcia
, Kyle McClellan
and others. Wainwright will remain in St. Louis for two weeks before joining his teammates in Florida
. The typical rehabilitation time for a starting pitcher is approximately 12 to 15 months.
, with his wife Jenny and their 2 daughters, Baylie Grace, born September 10, 2006, and Morgan Addison, born October 22, 2008. A third daughter is expected. Wainwright has also openly expressed his Christian
faith.
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
for the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
. He was drafted 29th overall by the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
in the 2000 amateur draft. He made his major league debut for the St. Louis Cardinals on September 11, 2005 against the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
.
Early career
A highly valued prospect coming out of Glynn AcademyGlynn Academy
Glynn Academy is an American public high school in Brunswick, Georgia, USA,, enrolling 1,755 students in grades 9–12. Along with Brunswick High School, it is one of two high schools in the Glynn County School System...
, Wainwright planned to play college baseball for Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets baseball
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets baseball team represents the Georgia Institute of Technology in NCAA Division I college baseball. Along with most other Georgia Tech athletic teams, the baseball team participates in the Atlantic Coast Conference...
, signing a letter of intent with the Yellow Jackets. But, when he was selected 29th overall in the first round of the 2000 amateur draft by his favorite team, the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
, Wainwright chose to forgo college and go straight to the pros, signing a contract with the Braves that included a $1.25 million bonus.
In December 2003, Wainwright was sent to the Cardinals along with pitchers Jason Marquis
Jason Marquis
Jason Scott Marquis is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He previously pitched for the Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies, Washington Nationals and Arizona Diamondbacks....
and Ray King
Ray King
Raymond Keith King is a retired Major League Baseball relief pitcher. King stands at 6'0" tall and weighs 265 pounds. Because of his large size, former Cardinals manager Whitey Herzog playfully referred to King as The Hefty Lefty...
in a trade that sent outfielder J. D. Drew
J. D. Drew
David Jonathan "J. D." Drew is an American professional baseball right fielder who is a free agent. He is a left-handed hitter, and began his major league career in with the St. Louis Cardinals...
and utility man
Utility player
In sport, a utility player is one who can play several positions competently, a sort of jack of all trades. Sports in which the term is often used include association football , baseball, rugby, rugby league, water polo and softball....
Eli Marrero
Eli Marrero
Elieser Marrero , is a former Major League Baseball player. Marrero started his career as a catcher, but spent time at first base, third base and in the outfield....
to the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
. After two somewhat uneven seasons in the Cardinals' minor-league system, Wainwright made his MLB debut for St. Louis on September 11, 2005.
2006
Wainwright made the Cardinals' Opening Day roster as a relief pitcher after having been a starter for his entire minor-league career. On May 24, 2006, in his first career at batAt bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
, Wainwright hit a home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
against Noah Lowry
Noah Lowry
Noah Ryan Lowry is a free agent left-handed starting pitcher formerly of the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball.-College and the MLB Draft:...
of the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/media/player/mp_tpl.jsp?w_id=497354&w=mms%3A//a1503.v108692.c10869.g.vm.akamaistream.net/7/1503/10869/v0001/mlb.download.akamai.com/10869/2006/open/tp/archive05/052406_slnsfn_wainwright_hr_tp_350.wmv&pid=mlb_tp&gid=2006/05/24/slnmlb-sfnmlb-1&mid=200605241470131&cid=mlb&fid=mlb_tp350&v=2&mType=w&urlstr=&mUrl=&type=v_free&_mp=1; he became the 22nd batter in Major League history to hit a home run off his first pitch thrown in his first at-bat, and the 11th National Leaguer.
Wainwright pitched capably as a middle reliever, but when Cardinal closer Jason Isringhausen
Jason Isringhausen
Jason Derik Isringhausen is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher.-New York Mets:Isringhausen was chosen as a draft-and-follow prospect by the New York Mets in the 44th round of the 1991 Major League Baseball Draft...
underwent season-ending hip surgery in September, Wainwright was pressed into service as the closer. He saved two crucial games on Sept. 27 and Sept. 30 as St. Louis held off a late charge by Houston and won the NL Central Division championship.
The Cardinals, who made the postseason despite an unexceptional 83–78 record, rolled through October to win their 10th world championship
2006 World Series
The 2006 World Series, the 102nd edition of Major League Baseball's championship series, began on October 21 and ended on October 27, and matched the American League champion Detroit Tigers against the National League champion St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals won the Series in five games, taking...
in franchise history. Wainwright, the new closer, took center stage:
- On October 8, 2006, Wainwright closed out the final game of the Cardinals' National League Division Series, ending the San Diego PadresSan Diego PadresThe San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
' season and propelling the Cardinals to the 2006 National League Championship Series2006 National League Championship SeriesThe National League Championship Series , the second round of the 2006 National League playoffs, began on October 12 and ended on October 19; it was scheduled to begin on October 11, but was postponed a day because of inclement weather. The St...
.
- On October 19, 2006, in the final game of the National League Championship Series, Wainwright, with the bases loaded, struck out Carlos BeltranCarlos BeltránCarlos Iván Beltrán is a Major League Baseball outfielder.-Early life:In his youth, Beltrán excelled in many sports, with volleyball and baseball being his favorites. At his father's urging, he gave up volleyball to concentrate on baseball when he was seventeen...
looking on 3 pitches, ending the New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
' season and sending the Cardinals to the World SeriesWorld SeriesThe World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
.
- On October 27, 2006, in Game 5 of the 2006 World Series2006 World SeriesThe 2006 World Series, the 102nd edition of Major League Baseball's championship series, began on October 21 and ended on October 27, and matched the American League champion Detroit Tigers against the National League champion St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals won the Series in five games, taking...
, Wainwright struck out Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
third basemanThird basemanA third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
Brandon IngeBrandon IngeCharles Brandon Inge is an American professional baseball infielder for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed....
with a sliderSliderIn baseball, a slider is a pitch that breaks laterally and down, with a speed between that of a curveball and that of a fastball....
to win the world championship.
2007
Wainwright moved from the bullpen to the starting rotation for 2007. With Cardinals ace Chris CarpenterChris Carpenter
Christopher John Carpenter is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who has played for the St. Louis Cardinals since 2003, and is currently signed with the team until the 2011 season, with a club option for 2012.Carpenter was 22 years old and a highly-regarded prospect when he broke into the...
lost for the year due to elbow surgery, Wainwright emerged as the most reliable Cardinals starter. On August 10, he threw the first complete game of his career in a 2–1 loss to Los Angeles
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
. (It would be the only nine-inning complete game for the Cardinals in all of 2007). By September he had established himself as the staff ace in the absence of Chris Carpenter, going 9–6 with a 2.94 ERA since mid-May. Wainwright finished his first year as a starter by leading the Cardinals in almost every pitching category—games started, innings pitched, strikeouts, and wins—and compiling a 3.70 ERA and a 14–12 record.
2008
In March 2008, Wainwright passed on free agency, signing a four-year deal with the Cardinals worth $21 million, with two club options for 2012 and 2013 that could push the value of the deal to $36 million. He suffered a finger injury in June that caused him to miss 2½ months of the season but still finished 11–3 with a 3.20 ERA, easily the best in the Cardinal rotation.2009
On August 19, 2009, at Dodger Stadium, Wainwright had a no hitter going vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers for 5⅓ innings before it was broken up by Orlando Hudson with a clean single to left field.He pitched the NL Central Division clinching game-winner against the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
at Coors Field
Coors Field
Coors Field, located in Denver, Colorado, is the home field of Major League Baseball's Colorado Rockies. It is named for the Coors Brewing Company of Golden, Colorado, which purchased the naming rights to the park prior to its completion in 1995...
, 6–3, on September 26, going 8 innings, walking one, striking out 11 and giving up just two earned runs while pitching out of an eighth-inning jam for his ML-leading 19th win.
On October 28, 2009, he won the NL Most Outstanding Pitcher (Players Choice Award).
Wainwright also was a top contender for Cy Young with teammate Chris Carpenter
Chris Carpenter
Christopher John Carpenter is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who has played for the St. Louis Cardinals since 2003, and is currently signed with the team until the 2011 season, with a club option for 2012.Carpenter was 22 years old and a highly-regarded prospect when he broke into the...
and eventual winner Tim Lincecum
Tim Lincecum
Timothy Leroy Lincecum is an American professional baseball starting pitcher for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball. He was nicknamed "The Freak" and "Big Time Timmy Jim" and "The Franchise." He throws right-handed and bats left-handed....
. He became only the second pitcher (Trevor Hoffman
Trevor Hoffman
Trevor William Hoffman is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. During his 18-year career from 1993 to 2010, he pitched for the Florida Marlins, San Diego Padres, and the Milwaukee Brewers, spending years of his career with the Padres. A long-time closer, he is the Major...
being the first) ever to get the most first place votes and not win the award.
He won his first Gold Glove Award
Rawlings Gold Glove Award
The Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to as the Gold Glove, is the award given annually to the Major League Baseball players judged to have exhibited superior individual fielding performances at each fielding position in both the National League and the American League , as voted by the...
on November 11, 2009
2009 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*Regular Season Champions*World Series Champions – New York Yankees**American League Champions – New York Yankees**National League Champions – Philadelphia Phillies*Postseason – October 7 to November 4...
.
2010
He finished the season 20–11 with a 2.42 ERA, 5 complete games, 213 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 1.05, all a career best. His 20 wins and 2.42 ERA were both good for second place in the National League (only Josh Johnson had a better ERA, while Roy HalladayRoy Halladay
Harry Leroy "Roy" Halladay III , nicknamed "Doc", is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies...
had 21 wins). He also pitched two shutouts this season, the first two of his career. His first was against the Brewers on June 4 and the other against the Marlins on August 6.
Wainwright pitched in his first All Star Game. He faced 5 batters, throwing 17 pitches, 10 strikes and 7 balls. He allowed no runs, while giving up 1 hit, a double off the glove of fellow Cardinal's teammate Matt Holliday
Matt Holliday
Matthew Thomas Holliday , nicknamed "Big Daddy", is an American Major League Baseball left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. Holliday was originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the seventh round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft.Holliday is a five-time All-Star and Silver Slugger...
, and had 1 walk with 2 strikeouts.
Wainwright was the runner-up for the 2010 NL Cy Young Award, finishing second in voting behind unanimous winner Roy Halladay.
2011
On February 24, the Cardinals announced that Wainwright would be out the entire 2011 season2011 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals' 2011 season was the 130th season for the franchise in St. Louis, Missouri, the 120th season in the National League, and the sixth season at Busch Stadium III. The Cardinals began their season at home against the San Diego Padres on March 31, coming off a 86-76 season and...
after undergoing necessary Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery, known in medical practice as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body...
on his right elbow
Elbow
The human elbow is the region surrounding the elbow-joint—the ginglymus or hinge joint in the middle of the arm. Three bones form the elbow joint: the humerus of the upper arm, and the paired radius and ulna of the forearm....
after indicating discomfort in pitching batting practice on February 21. The procedure was be done by George Paletta, the Cardinals' physician. He would miss all of 2011 and possibly the first few months of the 2012 season because recovery time is usually 12 to 15 months. His 2012 and 2013 options totaling $21 million will not automatically vest if he is on the disabled list at the end of the 2011 season.
The Feb. 28 surgery in St. Louis was described as "successful". Paletta performed the same surgery on Chris Carpenter
Chris Carpenter
Christopher John Carpenter is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who has played for the St. Louis Cardinals since 2003, and is currently signed with the team until the 2011 season, with a club option for 2012.Carpenter was 22 years old and a highly-regarded prospect when he broke into the...
, Jaime Garcia
Jaime Garcia (baseball)
Jaime Omar García is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Early life:Jaime García was born on July 8, 1986 in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico as the second of three children to civil engineer Jaime García, Sr. and Gloria Rodríguez Flores. García was raised between the border of...
, Kyle McClellan
Kyle McClellan
Kyle William McClellan is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. He attended Hazelwood West High School. After graduating from high school, McClellan was drafted by the St...
and others. Wainwright will remain in St. Louis for two weeks before joining his teammates in Florida
Jupiter, Florida
Jupiter is a town located in Palm Beach County, Florida. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 39,328. The estimate population for 2009 is 50,606. As of 2006, the population had grown to 50,028, according to the University of Florida, Bureau of Economic and Business Research....
. The typical rehabilitation time for a starting pitcher is approximately 12 to 15 months.
Personal life
In the off-season, Wainwright resides on St. Simons, GeorgiaSt. Simons, Georgia
St. Simons is a census-designated place located on St. Simons Island in Glynn County, Georgia, United States. Both the community and the island are commonly considered to be one location, known simply as "St. Simons Island", or locally as "The Island". St...
, with his wife Jenny and their 2 daughters, Baylie Grace, born September 10, 2006, and Morgan Addison, born October 22, 2008. A third daughter is expected. Wainwright has also openly expressed his Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
faith.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball wins champions
- List of players with a home run in first major league at-bat