A few words about Adam Wainwright, 200 wins, and ageless wonders

Once again, he proved the doubters wrong. Me included.

Under the Busch Stadium lights and in postseason type weather, Adam Wainwright finally got his moment. The last big hurdle to climb before the old cowboy hands off the reigns to the young bucks, as he calls his younger teammates.

He had been chasing that moment all season long, like a ghost of his former shell teasing him over the idea of greatness being able to expire. Somehow, after a season where he’s endured more knockouts than he has recorded punch-outs, Wainwright pulled a rabbit out of a hat. Armed with an Uncle Charlie that we would all love to visit 33-ish times a year, he sliced up the formidable Milwaukee Brewers, a team that used to look up at the Cardinals but now stares down at them.

The Busch Stadium weather was so perfect, they could have played two. It only took two hours to finish. 27 outs snatched out of thin air. It was as if St. Louis warmed up on the inside while the outside reminded us that baseball is closer to being finished, at least for teams like the Cardinals.

A phrase so unfamiliar in St. Louis didn’t hurt for a single night thanks to Wainwright. He wasn’t a hero for one day, but damn he came close. Fooling hitters half his age, the man looked like August of 2022 Waino had reappeared. A bittersweet yet revitalizing reminder of this sport’s power over us.

For seven quick and efficient innings, Wainwright broke into the pitching gods’ palace and pushed back against Father Time. Heck, he pushed it to the ground, leaning over it to add, “not yet!”

Willson Contreras fittingly delivered the only run support his pitcher would need: a solo blast that was enough to push the Brewers over. After all, the guy who replaced your lifelong, historical battery mate helping you get #200 has a nice ring to it.

For the bickering crew, yes this is a big deal in a crap season. A year where you soak up every single good thing, so the bad doesn’t set in too quick. It’s a reminder that it’s THE PLAYER’S JOB to worry about wins and playoffs. It’s the fan’s job to enjoy the fucking game, and not take it too hard. No one said it was easy, just like Ron Washington once told Scott Hatterberg that first base was incredibly hard.

Please. Don’t worry about the record. It’s not really our concern. Appreciating and salivating over a great night of baseball, one that merged the past (Waino goodness) with the new (game speed, no DH), is definitely our concern. We’re fans. Let’s enjoy it while the suits balance the checkbook.

Can he do it again next time? He has two more tentative starts left: San Diego on the road, and Cincinnati at home. The wiser mind would suggest leaving him at this start and win number, but that mind would be one thinking playoffs were a possibility. If Wainwright can slay the Red dragon at home to close out a career, that sounds like great television. A chance to see the hook drop at knee level, akin to a needle on a classic record that is officially self-destructing in less than two weeks drop once more.

Thanks for reading and enjoy the final days of summer with the Cardinals. Only 11 games left.

Photo Credit: Jeff Curry/USA Today Sports