How do I know this photo was created on a Sunday? Wainwright is wearing the Cardinals' special 'one bird' cap only worn at home on Sunday, rather than the cap featuring the famous interlocking StL logo.
This is actually the 2nd card Wainwright has appeared on in the set as he is also a key part of the #4 - Yadier Molina card.
Otherwise, this is a standard issue live action shot of a great MLB Pitcher playing the game. I like how the sun is still high overhead, making all the shadows on the card draw the eye up, as does the line of Wainwrights arm and even the bat on the uniform contributes to this. For a live action baseball photo, this is a very good one.
I like a few other tiny details on the card such as the probable appearance of the MLB Logoman on the baseball, and the way Wainwright's index finger probably hasn't finished placing his desired grip on the ball - or has it?
Uniform Hero? Once again, yes. And #50 is also a traditional "hero" # in Topps Baseball sets. As we will see for quite a while now, Pitchers like uni #s in the 50s.
Where’d the egg hatch? Wainwright was drafted by the Braves in the first round in the year 2000 as the 29th player selected.
Where’d the egg hatch? Wainwright was drafted by the Braves in the first round in the year 2000 as the 29th player selected.
How about the migrations? The Braves would then then trade him to St. Louis after the 2003 season with 2 other players in exchange for 2 players. The key piece going to Atlanta was J.D. Drew, who would accumulate a similar career WAR (44.9) to Wainwright's current tally (40.2); however Drew moved on to other teams whereas Wainwright has been a mainstay in St. Louis ever since. I would say St. Louis 'won' the trade in the aggregate.
The 2020 season is starting to to see bits of motion as I write this one & Wainwright is signed to another one year deal with the Cardinals. This 2013 card probably captures him at the peak of his career, stats wise; 2015 and 2018 would be only partial campaigns for him due to injury. But 2019 was a solid, complete season (31 starts) for him and a reliable veteran starter like Wainwright is a valuable part of an MLB rotation.
The 2020 season is starting to to see bits of motion as I write this one & Wainwright is signed to another one year deal with the Cardinals. This 2013 card probably captures him at the peak of his career, stats wise; 2015 and 2018 would be only partial campaigns for him due to injury. But 2019 was a solid, complete season (31 starts) for him and a reliable veteran starter like Wainwright is a valuable part of an MLB rotation.
Don’t flip over real Turtles.
This card back text now nicely mirrors Adam's current situation as this post is composed, after the 2019 complete season earned him another go in 2020.
Can the Turtle Catch the Rabbit?
CAREER CHASE: With 80 wins, Wainwright is 431 away from Cy Young's all-time record of 511.
As is semi-routine with the bulk of these comparisons, even a Pitcher as great as Adam Wainwright has little chance to match this one. After the 2019 season, Wainwright has 162 Wins.
As is semi-routine with the bulk of these comparisons, even a Pitcher as great as Adam Wainwright has little chance to match this one. After the 2019 season, Wainwright has 162 Wins.
Subspecies? Wainwright has always been a popular player and as much of a 'Face of the Franchise' as several of his teammates; after another strong playoff run in 2012 there would be little doubt about finding this same card in Opening Day and Chrome, but there are no other variants.
Bling That Shell I did go through some evolution on building this page; the more I thought about that Sunday cap the more I wanted to match it up with the just exactly perfect parallel to match. And after setting an eBay email alert for a couple years, one finally appeared:
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