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HISTORY! Albert Pujols slugs 700th HR one at-bat after 699th
Sept. 23, 2022
Welcome to the 700 club, Albert Pujols! The St. Louis Cardinals legend has officially slugged his way to exclusive baseball territory in his sendoff season.
In legendary fashion, Pujols crushed his 700th career home run just one at-bat after his 699th home run. He becomes just the fourth player in Major League Baseball history to reach that milestone, fulfilling one of baseball’s most-anticipated storylines of the year.
“I just try to do my thing,” Pujols told FOX2 in May on the potential of reaching the 700-home run milestone. “I just let things happen. My job pretty much is to try to get ready to play every day and focus to help our ball club to win every night however I can. At the end of the day, if it happens, it happens, but it’s something that I don’t even think about.”
Pujols, stuck at 698 home runs for nearly a week prior to Friday’s ballgame, needed less than an hour to take care of unfinished business. Pujols first took Dodgers starter Andrew Heaney deep in the third inning, a two-run home run to give the Cardinals their first lead of the night. In the next inning, Pujols picked up a three-run home run for the historic 700th blast off relief pitcher Phil Bickford.
The journey to 700 home runs: More than 3,000 games and nearly 11,400 at-bats over 22 seasons, the first 11 campaigns and the grand finale as arguably the most-dominant hitter all-time for a storied St. Louis Cardinals franchise.
Pujols, Molina careers end with WC loss, hits in last ABs
Oct. 9, 2022
It’s officially the end of an era. Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina have played their final games as St. Louis Cardinals.
In nine seasons as teammates, from 2004 to 2011 and in 2022, Pujols and Molina shattered baseball records, won two World Series titles together and set a standard that might not ever be surpassed in Cardinals history.
Pujols and Molina announced well before the start of the 2022 campaign that their final rides would come this year and retirement as professional ballplayers would follow. The Cardinals dropped the first two games in a best-of-three Wild Card Series, ultimately marking the end to the 2022 season and the storied career of two longtime franchise faces.
“This is something, not even this week, I think it’ll take a couple of months to realize,” said Pujols.
“Everybody in the clubhouse is feeling it right now,” said Cardinals’ first-year manager Oli Marmol. “Extra motivation to deliver [for Albert and Yadi] and do something special. We just couldn’t get anything going.”
Wainwright, Molina: The journey to MLB’s battery record
Sept. 14, 2022
Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina. A journey fifteen years in the making leads the St. Louis Cardinals’ legendary tandem to their own unique place in baseball history.
Wainwright and Molina will make their 325th career start together on Wednesday, fulfilling one of baseball’s most anticipated narratives of the season.
The dynamic duo will take over sole possession of the record for most starts as an MLB battery. For more than half of a century, the record had been held by Mickey Lolich and Bill Freehan of the Detroit Tigers, who played together 12 seasons together in the 1960s and ’70s.
“It’s been a good run,” said Wainwright. “He’s an incredible teammate, friend, and partner-in-crime. We’ve been together for a long time. We got to finish strong.”
“It feels amazing to do it with Waino,” said Molina. “That’s going to be tough to break. It’s a special moment for us.”
While Wainwright and Molina have been teammates at the MLB level since 2005, their current run at the record began when Wainwright became a full-time starter two years later. Prior to then, the two first worked together as minor league teammates on the Memphis Redbirds in 2004 to set a foundation as a starting battery.
Relive The Rides: Pujols, Molina and Wainwright
Sept. 30 - Oct. 2, 2022
FOX 2 explores some of the top moments in the careers of Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright in a three-part digital series throughout the final homestand.
Relive The Ride: Top moments of Albert Pujols’ career
Relive The Ride: Top moments of Yadier Molina’s career
Relive The Ride: Top moments of Adam Wainwright’s career
OFFSEASON: St. Louis Cardinals Coverage (2022)
Paul Goldschmidt named National League’s Most Valuable Player
Dan McLaughlin ‘stepping away’ from Cardinals broadcasts after third DWI charge
Willson Contreras calls it an ‘honor’ to join Cardinals, succeed Yadier Molina
Nov. 17 2022
A historic 2022 St. Louis Cardinals season now has a cherry on top. For the first time in thirteen years, St. Louis takes home an MVP crown.
Voters have selected Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt as the National League’s Most Valuable Player of 2022. It’s his first MVP honor in his 12-year MLB career.
“This was my best year and the most fun I’ve had,” said Goldschmidt on MLB Network’s MVP Award announcement show on Thursday. “Playing with Nolan [Arenado] and Albert [Pujols] and so many guys we had. It was just incredible.”
Goldschmidt wins the MVP honor over fellow teammate Nolan Arenado and San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado.
In his fourth season with the Cardinals, Goldschmidt flirted with the NL Triple Crown for much of the year, ultimately finishing among the league’s Top 5 in batting average (.317), home runs (35) and RBIs (115).
Willson Contreras calls it an ‘honor’ to join Cardinals, succeed Yadier Molina
Dan McLaughlin ‘stepping away’ from Cardinals broadcasts after third DWI charge
Willson Contreras calls it an ‘honor’ to join Cardinals, succeed Yadier Molina
Dec. 9, 2022
It’s official. Longtime rival and three-time All-Star catcher Willson Contreras has joined the St. Louis Cardinals.
Contreras comes on a five-year, $87.5 million contract, the fifth-largest contract offered by the franchise and largest to a player who had not previously played with St. Louis. There will also be a team option for a sixth season in 2028.
“What an amazing day for myself and the Cardinals organization,” said Contreras during a team introduction Friday. “It’s an honor to wear this uniform.”
The torch has been passed at Cardinals catcher. Contreras fills in some big shoes after nine-time Gold Glover winner Yadier Molina finished his 19th and final season behind the plate in October.
“Yadier Molina, we all know who the guy is. The best catcher of the last two decades,” said Contreras. “He set the bar really high. He was my idol. … It’s an honor to wear this uniform and succeed Yadier Molina.”
Dan McLaughlin ‘stepping away’ from Cardinals broadcasts after third DWI charge
Dan McLaughlin ‘stepping away’ from Cardinals broadcasts after third DWI charge
Dan McLaughlin ‘stepping away’ from Cardinals broadcasts after third DWI charge
Dec. 15, 2022
Longtime St. Louis Cardinals broadcaster Dan McLaughlin, facing a felony charge for his third DWI offense, will not return to play-by-play duties next season.
St. Louis County prosecutors charged McLaughlin with one felony for a persistent offender of driving earlier this month. Creve Coeur police arrested McLaughlin on Dec. 4 after he failed a sobriety test in a traffic stop on Interstate 270.
“I have spent the last several days reflecting on my steps towards addressing my health and the well-being of my family and me," said McLaughlin in a statement to FOX 2.
"I have come to the conclusion that my sole focus needs to be on my recovery, which I have started, and that of my wife and children. As a result, I am stepping away from my duties at Bally Sports Midwest. I thank all of the people of Bally for their support throughout the years and wish them the best. As I move forward, I please ask for your patience and your privacy. Thank you. God Bless.”
FEATURED: St. Louis Cardinals Coverage (2022)
Adam Wainwright sets up another scavenger hunt at Busch Stadium
Triple Crown Watch: Paul Goldschmidt makes ‘miracle’ push at MLB royalty
Triple Crown Watch: Paul Goldschmidt makes ‘miracle’ push at MLB royalty
July 9, 2022
Fresh off a complete game Friday night, Adam Wainwright has another treat in store for St. Louis Cardinals fans this weekend.
Wainwright set up another scavenger hunt at Busch Stadium as part of his self-coined “Day After Pitching Old Man Walk.” The 17-year veteran pitcher has documented several strolls and adventures around ballparks this year, including Busch Stadium, as part of a “DAPOMW” trend on Twitter.
Nearly two weeks ago, he challenged fans to find a hidden signed ball at Busch Stadium. Following a tough shutout loss, Wainwright wanted to set up one lucky fan with a prize.
“Seems like a good day for a DAPOMW scavenger hunt,” said Wainwright via Twitter Saturday. “Today, I’ll be leaving a set of clues around the stadium that will eventually lead to the prize. Who’s up for the challenge?
After launching the scavenger hunt, Wainwright has hinted at two clues via Twitter. One included a photo of an upper-deck seat with a note via Twitter. The other included a message from that note telling fans “you might have to [go] back low.”
Based on his tweets, Wainwright’s first two clues appear to convey positive messages and brief Cardinals history lessons.
Triple Crown Watch: Paul Goldschmidt makes ‘miracle’ push at MLB royalty
Triple Crown Watch: Paul Goldschmidt makes ‘miracle’ push at MLB royalty
Triple Crown Watch: Paul Goldschmidt makes ‘miracle’ push at MLB royalty
Aug. 27, 2022
Paul Goldschmidt has the chance to accomplish royalty that has only been mastered 16 times in MLB history. Watch mode engaged for a Triple Crown batting title.
Triple Crown winners reach the honor by leading the American League or National League in batting average, home runs and runs batted in at the end of the regular season.
With September on the horizon, the St. Louis Cardinals first baseman leads or stands within reach of all three batting benchmarks. Goldschmidt leads the National League with a .338 batting average and is tied for the lead with 105 RBIs. His 33 home runs are only two behind Philadelphia’s Kyle Schwarber.
“If something like that happened it would be a miracle,” said Goldschmidt via MLB.com on the potential of a Triple Crown. “To think that’s realistic is probably pretty far-fetched. If something like that did happen, it would be pretty amazing, but to think that’s a goal for anyone, that’s a crazy standard.”
Goldschmidt’s steady contributions have kept the Triple Crown conversation alive deep into the 2022 season. He’s ended each month with at least a .282 batting average and enjoyed monstrous rides in May and August that have led to a combined 19 home runs and 60 RBIs.
Lars stars! Fan-favorite Nootbaar now a Cardinals catalyst
Triple Crown Watch: Paul Goldschmidt makes ‘miracle’ push at MLB royalty
Lars stars! Fan-favorite Nootbaar now a Cardinals catalyst
Sept. 1, 2022
Echoes of “NOOT” are becoming a norm at Busch Stadium, and one of the St. Louis Cardinals’ youngest hitters is backing that up with his elevated gameplay.
Lars Nootbaar, a 24-year-old outfielder, is making his mark as the Cardinals push for a fourth straight postseason berth. He surged to a .284 batting average in August behind five home runs, 15 RBIs and 22 runs scored.
Nootbaar’s 23 walks last month were third in all of baseball, only behind MVP hopefuls Juan Soto and Aaron Judge. The plate discipline has helped the outfielder earn more starts in the leadoff spot in recent weeks, a spot where he is both setting up and adding to big rallies.
Nootbaar’s extra-inning blast Wednesday helped secure a road series win against the Cincinnati Reds and put a cherry on top of a month in which the Cardinals rallied to a six-game division lead over the Milwaukee Brewers.
“Being able to get in there more consistently has helped me out of ton,” said Nootbaar. “Making some mechanical adjustments and mental adjustments, doing things that I would’ve liked to have done earlier in the season, but trying to make the adjustments now midseason, keep working and going forward with those.”
Cardinals fan shares wild story after missing two home run balls
May 25, 2022
Catching a home run ball is a bucket list item for many baseball fans. It doesn’t happen often; and usually, there is a bit of timing and good luck involved.
One lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan almost went home with two home run balls after Monday night’s win over the Toronto Blue Jays. Instead, he just missed two hard-hit souvenirs. Austin Bears, a 25-year-old St. Charles native, picked up two left-field bleachers seats for him and his girlfriend just hours before Monday’s game. That wasn’t the only decision he would need to make on a whim.
“We joked as we were getting out of the car, and I was like, ‘Do I bring my glove from the trunk?'” he said. “Because I always have my glove in my trunk. I was like, ‘No, I’m a grown man, I can handle it.'”
It wasn’t until a few hours after he entered the Busch Stadium the Bears wished he had his catcher’s mitt with him. With many bigger boppers in the battle of the birds, perennial All-Stars George Springer and Paul Goldschmidt put Bears’ talents to the test.