Adam Wainwright, less than three weeks from his 39th birthday, long has been successful because of his ability to prepare for all challenges, whether it’s opposing hitters or the various surgeries he’s endured on his arm and Achilles’ tendon. He’s even invented a few of his own antagonists to keep his blood boiling.
But the coronavirus, an opponent he can’t see, is a different animal.
“This one is a tough one,” said the Cardinals’ righthander as he drove to take yet another test. “Once it got in our clubhouse, it almost didn’t matter if we did everything by the book.