JUPITER, Fla. — Cardinals veteran right-hander Adam Wainwright received an ovation from the modest announced crowd of 5,325 at Roger Dean Stadium as he took the mound for the Grapefruit League opener, the first spring training start of what he has declared will be his last year in the majors.
That ovation came after the rest of the pitchers crowded around the back of the bullpen and watched Wainwright warm up, a nod of respect for the club’s longest-tenured player prepared to set the tone for the exhibition season.
“I always react well to people,” Wainwright said.