50 and Out

 

2023, now that I think about it, is a season that could mark the final one for several constant figures of my collecting upbringing. Miguel Cabrera's the sole real definite, but Zack Greinke, Rich Hill, Ian Kennedy, Nelson Cruz and Charlie Blackmon are all heading towards the end of seasons where they have an opportunity to bow out calmly. A lot of them are thinking about it, as they don't have a lot left to work with.

That's honestly the case with Adam Wainwright, a guy whose first MLB season ended in a World Series win that he got the final out of, led to one more ring, and years of consistency with just one team. Waino just turned 42, and he's heading into what is probably the last month of his Cardinals career. As tough as last year was for Cards fans, where they had to say goodbye to Yadier Molina and Albert Pujols, this year may be just as tough if Wainwright leaves.

And honestly, he should have considered going out with his teammates as well. 2022 was a strong season for Wainwright, even as a 40-year-old, and he finished with a 3.71 ERA and 143 Ks, both respectable figures. But he thought he had some stuff left so he stayed on for one more year, and as a result, Wainwright is having the worst year of his career. He's got an 8.10 ERA, a 3-10 record, a 1.980 WHIP and a negative WAR. Is it the result of his Cardinals not having the run support to keep him steady? Is it just what happens when a guy pitches til he's 42? It could be both, it could be neither. But this is a less than dignified final season, if it is that, for the Cardinals legend.

In fact, with seasons like this, it does make me wonder how sportswriters will assess Wainwright's HOF case at the end of the decade. Wainwright has 2 World Series rings, finished in the top 3 of the Cy Young voting in four years, all in his prime, and notched 17 or more wins on five occasions. I think there's definitely a possibility, and as pitching-heavy as the late 2020s are gonna be for HOF inductions, Wainwright at least deserves some attention. The one knock against him would be some lull years of injuries in between the high points, but that's kind of par for the course for any great pitcher these days. And I don't think a poor final season will wreck his case, much like it won't wreck Greinke's.

The one thing I am kinda rooting for is that Waino is 2 wins away from 200, which is as close as anyone in the modern era is getting to 300 these days, and I hope he gets it. Would at least make this season worth it for him, and for Cardinals fans.

Coming Tomorrow- This has been a really good year for backup catchers. Gabriel Moreno, Riley Adams, Ryan Jeffers, Yainer Diaz, Freddy Fermin, and, now that you mention it, this guy.