Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright sings national anthem before Opening Day game against Blue Jays

Cardinals great Adam Wainwright sings the US national anthem before St. Louis’ opening day game against the Toronto Blue Jays, just nine days after representing Team USA in the WBC

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” before Thursday’s opening day matchup against the Toronto Blue Jays, just nine days after the US’s stunning loss to Japan in the WBC title game.

The 41-year-old MLB veteran was expected to start the Cardinals’ first game of the 2023-24 season on the mound, but was replaced by Miles Mikolas after suffering a groin strain while on duty with the Cardinals team. USA

Wainwright is now likely to be out for “several weeks,” St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol told reporters last week.

That didn’t matter to the home crowd, however, as Cardinals fans were desperate to get the 2006 World Series champion involved in what may well be their last Opening Day.

The public announcer at Busch Stadium raised a few eyebrows when he said an “up-and-coming singer” from St. Louis was taking center stage, and fans went wild when they realized he was the three-time All-Star.

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright sang the US national anthem on Thursday before the team’s opening day matchup against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Cardinals fans were stunned and delighted to see their hometown hero take center stage.

Cardinals fans were stunned and delighted to see their hometown hero take center stage.

The right-hander did not disappoint in his cameo, singing in tune with two guitarists at his side.

Wainwright, a two-time Gol Glove Award winner, had the opportunity to retire last season along with other Cardinals greats such as Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina, though he chose to play one more season.

He pitched with a 3.71 ERA in 32 starts last season.

Wainwright is fondly remembered in St. Louis for closing out the 2006 World Series against the Detroit Tigers. Moving up as a reliever that year, he finally broke into the Cardinals’ pitching rotation later.

Wainwright represented Team USA in the WBC in early March (seen pitching against Cuba)

Wainwright represented Team USA in the WBC in early March (seen pitching against Cuba)

Wainwright, 41, was the closing pitcher in 2006 when the Cardinals won the World Series.

Wainwright, 41, was the closing pitcher in 2006 when the Cardinals won the World Series.

The Georgia native then became a two-time National League wins leader before winning the Silver Slugger Award in 2017 and the Roberto Clemente Award in 2020.

Wainwright has a career 3.38 ERA and was a Cy Young Award finalist in 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2014, though he never won baseball’s top pitching award.

The Cardinals are expected to reach the postseason again this year after winning the NL Central title in 2022, which could give Wainwright one last title to add to his already extensive resume.