The Atlanta Braves prospect who became a St. Louis legend
In short: In 2003, the Atlanta Braves traded a rising star to the St. Louis Cardinals. That player, Adam Wainwright, would go on to define an era of baseball, forging the most successful battery in major league history and joining the elite ranks of 200-game winners.
Adam Wainwright’s journey from a Georgia standout to a baseball icon began in the 2000 MLB draft, where the Atlanta Braves selected him 29th overall. A versatile athlete at Glynn Academy, Wainwright was the Gatorade Georgia Player of the Year, excelling in both baseball and football. However, his career trajectory shifted significantly in December 2003, when the Braves traded him to the St. Louis Cardinals as part of a deal for outfielder J. D. Drew.
Wainwright’s tenure in St. Louis was marked by remarkable versatility and resilience. After debuting in 2005, he briefly served as a closer, helping the Cardinals secure the 2006 World Series title. By 2007, he transitioned into a permanent starting role. Despite a devastating ulnar collateral ligament injury in early 2011 that required Tommy John surgery, he emerged as a dominant ace. A landmark 2014 campaign saw him achieve a unique MLB feat: seven scoreless innings across nine of his initial 18 appearances.
Beyond individual brilliance, Wainwright’s legacy is defined by longevity and partnership. He and catcher Yadier Molina established the premier battery in major league history, setting records for combined starts and victories. Reaching 200 career wins on September 18, 2023, he was the 122nd pitcher to do so and only the third in Cardinals lore, following Bob Gibson and Jesse Haines. With 2,202 career strikeouts, he sits second only to Gibson in franchise history.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Adam Wainwright
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