For the first time since riding off into the sunset last fall, Adam Wainwright came out of retirement and returned to the mound at Busch Stadium — but this time, it wasn’t in Cardinals red.
Adam Wainwright, AKA Uncle Charlie, Back at Busch
Instead, fans saw “Uncle Charlie” take the field Friday night in a Savannah Bananas uniform, making his debut with the viral baseball-entertainment squad in front of a sold-out crowd. The moment he stepped on the mound, the ovation started — and when he tipped his cap and fired that signature curve, Busch felt a little like it did in September 2023, the night he notched career win No. 200.
This wasn’t about wins and losses, though. This was pure fun. The Bananas, known for their Harlem Globetrotters-style take on the game, brought in Wainwright as one of several former MLB stars to make surprise appearances during their nationwide tour — a list that’s already included the likes of Corey Kluber and Jake Peavy.
Waino was not the only retired Cardinal to take the field
Wainwright, 43, gave up a single but quickly retired the next batter with a flyout, drawing a roar from the St. Louis faithful. The moment wasn’t lost on him.
Best Fans in Baseball
“When the crowd gets into it, you can’t help but feel it,” he said afterward. “This is the best baseball town in the world.”
Wainwright also mentioned he wasn’t sure whether the idea came through Big League Impact — his longtime charitable foundation — or directly from the Cardinals. “I’m grateful. This is exactly right up my alley.”
The night was short, sweet, and memorable — kind of like a greatest hits encore. And while Wainwright’s days as an MLB ace are behind him, his schedule is anything but quiet. He’s now a FOX Sports analyst, a country music performer (his Big League Bash concert headlines July 27 in Chesterfield), and, most importantly, full-time dad.
He’ll be back on air Sunday calling the Red Sox-Cubs game at Wrigley, but for Cardinals fans, seeing No. 50 back on the Busch Stadium mound — even for one inning — was more than enough to stir up memories.
