The Cardinals’ third-year outfielder was in town this week to model his club’s new powder blue uniform during its big reveal. Instantly, No. 48 in the new color was for sale in prominent sections of the team store. Bader dropped the puck at a Blues game that same night. And don’t forget Bader, pictured crouching next to a race car, is on the front of the latest edition of the Cardinals’ official magazine.
These opportunities are reserved for players the Cardinals want to prioritize, like fan favorites and/or starting center fielders. With only 170 major league games beneath his belt, Bader has become both.