Adam Wainwright
| Birthdate | 8/30/1981 |
| Death Date | |
| Debut Year | 2005 |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | Cardinals |
| Position | Pitcher |
The 62nd pitcher in MLB history with 200 wins and 2,000 strikeouts, Adam Wainwright played all of his 18 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals.
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Tony LaRussa was the Cardinals manager for Wainwright's first six big league seasons
Tony LaRussa was the Cardinals manager for Wainwright's first six big league seasons
Adam Wainwright broke in with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2005 under Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa. The two teamed together for Wainwright’s first six big league seasons, forming one of baseball’s strongest pitcher-manager partnerships.
During that stretch, Wainwright posted an impressive 2.97 ERA while anchoring the Cardinals’ rotation. His combination of command, poise, and competitiveness quickly made him a leader on the staff.
In 2009, Wainwright delivered a career-defining season. He led the National League in innings pitched and starts; no big league pitcher won more games that year. Despite earning the most first-place votes in Cy Young voting Wainwright finished third.
The following season brought even more recognition. In 2010, Wainwright earned his first All-Star selection and reached the 20-win plateau for the first time. His precision and determination on the mound made him a true ace. Under La Russa’s guidance, he evolved from a promising young arm into one of the National League’s elite pitchers.
By the time La Russa left St. Louis, Wainwright had established himself as the Cardinals’ cornerstone. Their six-year run together included three postseason trips and the 2006 World Series title.
Shown here is a ticket to the Cardinals game of September 10, 2003. Two years before Waino’s arrival, this contest gave Tony La Russa his 2000th managerial victory. Only six skippers reached the mark prior to the Cardinals pilot.
La Russa’s teams went on to win nearly 1,000 additional games. When he retired in 2022, his 2,884 victories ranked second behind only Connie Mack.
Wainwright got the win in Game 4 of the 2006 World Series and the save in clinching Game 5
Wainwright got the win in Game 4 of the 2006 World Series and the save in clinching Game 5
Adam Wainwright made a memorable impact in the 2006 World Series for the St. Louis Cardinals. His first appearance came in Game 2, when he faced just one batter. Entering with two outs in the eighth inning, the 25-year-old Wainwright struck out Curtis Granderson to end the frame.
He returned in Game 4 with a man on second and one out in the 8th. After giving up a run-scoring double, Wainwright struck out the next two Detroit hitters to end the inning. The Cardinals pushed across a run in the bottom of the inning to regain the lead.
In the 9th, the 6’7″ right-hander slammed the door with a 1-2-3 outing to earn the victory. The youngster’s ability to handle high-pressure situations gave St. Louis a 3-games-to-1 lead and foreshadowed his stellar 18-year career.
In the Series-clinching Game 5, Wainwright again took the mound in the ninth inning. With the World Series on the line, he retired the final Detroit hitters to record the save and secure the Cardinals’ first title since 1982. Across his three appearances, Wainwright displayed remarkable control, confidence, and composure, leaving an indelible mark on the Cardinals’ 2006 championship run.
Shown here is a ticket to Game 5 of the 2006 World Series that ended with Adam Wainwright striking out Brandon Inge to make St. Louis champions of the baseball world.
From 2009-2014 Wainwright had four top-3 finishes in Cy Young balloting
From 2009-2014 Wainwright had four top-3 finishes in Cy Young balloting
Adam Wainwright reached the top three in the Cy Young Award voting four times between 2009–2014. In 2009 the Cardinals hurler earned 3rd place despite leading the National League in wins (19), starts (34) and innings pitched (233). That same season, Wainwright also won the NL’s Gold Glove for pitchers. He finished behind Tim Lincecum (the winner) and teammate Chris Carpenter in the voting, despite having the most first‑place votes of the trio.
The next year, 2010, Wainwright improved on that by finishing runner-up to Roy Halladay for the Cy Young. He posted 20 wins (second only in the league) and a 2.42 ERA (also second) among qualifying starters, making his case very strong.
Then in 2013 Wainwright again placed second, this time behind Clayton Kershaw. He posted a 6.3 WAR, led the league in starts (34), innings (241⅔) and wins (19) — and still came up short against Kershaw’s dominant season.
Finally, in 2014 Wainwright finished third once more, behind Kershaw (who won again) and Johnny Cueto. That year he recorded his second 20‑win campaign, posted a 6.1 WAR, and even finished 8th in the MVP voting.
Across that span Wainwright showed remarkable consistency at the top of the pitching ranks, yet he never captured the Cy Young.
In the collection is the official document from Major League Baseball that Kershaw signed to collect the first of his 8 All Star rings in 2011. That season was a magical one for the Dodger ace who earned pitching’s Triple Crown with 21 wins, 2.28 ERA, and 248 strikeouts. By season’s end he earned the first of his three Cy Young Awards.
As batterymates Wainwright and Yadier Molina started an MLB-record 328 games together
As batterymates Wainwright and Yadier Molina started an MLB-record 328 games together
The battery of Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina stands at the apex of Major League Baseball history, having made 328 regular-season starts together, the most ever by a pitcher‑catcher duo. Their partnership began on April 6, 2007, when Wainwright started and Molina caught for the St. Louis Cardinals. They maintained this tandem across many seasons, forging a rare level of continuity and trust in the sport.
They broke the previous record of 324 starts, set by Mickey Lolich and Bill Freehan, with their 325th start on September 14, 2022. Throughout his career Waino pitched more effectively with his guy Molina behind the dish. According to MLB.com’s Andrew Simon, “While Wainwright has a 3.21 career ERA with Molina, he has a 4.06 mark with his other backstops.” Their combined record reached 213 team wins and 115 losses in those starts, yielding a .649 winning percentage — another MLB record for a battery.
Beyond sheer volume, their success speaks to their durability, shared team identity, and performance. Wainwright faced injuries and surgeries, and Molina logged 19 seasons behind the plate. Together they helped lead the Cardinals to multiple postseason appearances, supporting each other’s longevity and excellence. Their record is likely to stand for decades, given the modern demands on pitchers and catchers, as well as the rarity of such long‑term pairings in one organization.
In the collection is the document Yadier Molina signed in 2011 to receive his ring. The catcher went 1-for-1 with a two-base hit in the contest. His NL squad bested the AL 5-1 behind a three-run shot by Prince Fielder, the game’s MVP.
Adam Wainwright is one of five big league pitchers with exactly 200 victories
Adam Wainwright is one of five big league pitchers with exactly 200 victories
In the final season of his career, Adam Wainwright became the 122nd pitcher in Major League history to record 200 wins. He got there in his last career appearance on September 18, 2023. By reaching and ending on this milestone, he joined George Uhle, Chuck Finley, Tim Wakefield, and Jon Lester who each retired with exactly 200 victories.
Uhle, a Deadball Era star, not only reached 200 wins but also held the highest lifetime batting average among pitchers. He won 20 games three times and claimed a 1920 World Series title, finishing his career with a WAR of 55.7.
Finley, who pitched from 1986 to 2002, leads the group in career WAR at 57.9. A four-time All-Star, he spent 14 seasons with the Angels before finishing with the Indians and Cardinals.
Wakefield, third in the 1992 Rookie of the Year voting with the Pirates, is best remembered for his Boston tenure. The 2004 World Series champ totaled 186 wins with the Red Sox, finishing behind only Roger Clemens and Cy Young in club history.
Lester has the fewest losses and the best ERA+ among the five. He also excelled in the postseason, going 3-0 with a 1.77 ERA as a key contributor to three championship teams.
Together, these five pitchers form a unique group who each reached exactly 200 career wins, leaving a remarkable mark on baseball history.
In the collection is this ticket signed by Jon Lester. The game was a memorable one in Lester’s career. Diagnosed with anaplastic large cell lymphoma after his 7th big-league in in 2006, Lester underwent aggressive chemotherapy treatment at Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. In December CT Scans showed no signs of the disease.
After regaining his strength, Lester attended spring training in 2007 and started his path back to the bigs at Single-A Greenville. On May 19th the Sox sent him to Pawtucket to face Triple-A hitters. The ticket shown here is from his first start for the PawSox.
Lester impressed the organization before the game even started. The Pawtucket squad faced a 9-hour road trip to the contest in Ottawa. Rather than seek the comfort of a chartered flight, Lester stayed with his teammates in the longest bus ride of the season. Lester got off the bus and pitched 3 2/3 innings of one-hit scoreless baseball.
Only Jess Haines, Bob Gibson, and Wainwright have 200 or more wins with the Cardinals
Only Jess Haines, Bob Gibson, and Wainwright have 200 or more wins with the Cardinals
Adam Wainwright’s 200 wins for the Cardinals ranks third in franchise history. He’s in good company. Only Hall of Famers Bob Gibson (251) and Jesse Haines (210) have more victories.
Wainwright led his St. Louis staffs in wins in different seven seasons, showcasing consistent dominance. Among Cardinal hurlers only Gibson has more starts, strikeouts, or a higher WAR.
Over his career, Wainwright combined durability with elite performance, earning respect as both a competitor and team leader. His contributions extend beyond statistics, as he has anchored the rotation in multiple postseason campaigns. He remains one of the most impactful pitchers in the franchise’s modern era.
Jesse Haines began his major league career in 1918 with the Cincinnati Reds before joining St. Louis, where he worked for eighteen seasons. He became a three-time 20-game winner, demonstrating remarkable longevity and consistency. Haines also captured two World Series championships, excelling on baseball’s biggest stage. In 32 1/3 Fall Classic innings, he went 3-1 with a 1.67 ERA, proving his ability to dominate under pressure. His tenure with the Cardinals cemented him as one of the franchise’s early pitching legends.
Bob Gibson is widely regarded as one of baseball’s greatest pitchers. He won two World Series MVP awards and two Cy Young Awards, highlighting his dominance. In 1974, he became the second pitcher, after Walter Johnson, to strike out 3,000 batters, underscoring his overpowering stuff. Gibson’s fierce competitiveness, durability, and skill made him a cornerstone of the Cardinals’ success for more than a decade. His legacy continues to influence pitchers across generations.
Shown here is the contract Gibson signed with the Cardinals for the 1974 season. It was a historic campaign for the right-hander. On July 17th at Busch Stadium he took the mound with 2,999 career punchouts. In the bottom of the second with two out, Reds centerfielder Cesar Geronimo came to bat. When Gibson got him swinging, he had his magic moment. Fifty-one years after Walter Johnson founded the 3,000-strikeout club, Gibson became its second member.
In 2023 Wainwright became the 62nd pitcher with at least 200 wins and 2,000 strikeouts
In 2023 Wainwright became the 62nd pitcher with at least 200 wins and 2,000 strikeouts
Baseball treasures milestones more than any other sport. They serve as timeless markers of endurance, excellence, and consistency. Each milestone connects generations of fans and players through shared reverence for achievement.
Adam Wainwright made his last trip to a big league mound a milestone memory. on September 18, 2023 nineteen days after his 42nd birthday he notched his 200th and final career victory. By doing so, Waino became the 62nd pitcher with at least 200 wins and 2,000 strikeouts.
The list of pitchers who have reached both marks is stacked with greatness. When Adam added his name, 35 members of that group already rested in the Hall of Fame, a reflection of their lasting brilliance. Through the decades aces Cy Young, Christy Mathewson, Bob Feller, Juan Marichal, Tom Seaver, and Greg Maddux joined the prestigious club, defining the standard of dominance on the mound.
Several modern stars are certain to join those legends in Cooperstown someday. Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer, and Justin Verlander will get their plaque in their first time on the writers ballot.
Wainwright’s career, built on command, determination, and heart, exemplifies what baseball values most: durability and excellence. He battled through injuries and eras of offensive explosions yet continued to win and strike out hitters at elite levels. His milestone speaks to both longevity and mastery.
In baseball’s language of numbers, 200 wins and 2,000 strikeouts tell a powerful story. They confirm Wainwright’s place among the sport’s most durable and respected pitchers.
Shown here is the autograph of Cy Young, the second member of the 200/2,000 club.
