USA TODAY International Edition
Cardinals ace ‘ perfect guy’ to start USA’s WBC opener
PHOENIX – Adam Wainwright walked into the Team USA clubhouse for the first World Baseball Classic workout, looked around and immediately shot a text message to his wife.
“I told her this is the weirdest feeling I ever had in my life,” Wainwright told USA TODAY Sports on Tuesday. “It’s like the first day of school. It’s the first time I can remember being on a team where I didn’t know anybody except for the teammates I came here with. It’s really a funky feeling. It almost feels like I’m a free agent. It’s awesome.”
Wainwright, 41, who will be USA’s Game 1 starter Saturday ( 9 p. m. ET, FS1) against Great Britain, is the oldest player on Team USA. He has been pitching in the big leagues for 17 seasons. No one in the room has more service time.
And, perhaps, no one is more thrilled to be representing the USA, pitching for the first time representing his country.
“This right here,” he said, tugging on the front of his USA jersey, “is real special to me. I always wanted to represent my country, especially since I failed last time.”
The year was 2003, he missed the cut and didn’t make the U. S. Olympic qualifying team.
He waited 20 years for his next opportunity, and to make sure he wasn’t going to be snubbed again, made sure to tell USA manager Mark DeRosa, his longtime friend and ex- teammate, he wanted in.
“I’ve known Adam since he was a first- round pick with the Braves ( in 2000), and to watch him become one of the ambassadors of the game, and one of the best pitchers in the game, it means so much to have him here,” DeRosa said. “He’s the perfect guy to get us started.”
Wainwright, who has 195 career victories, four top- 5 Cy Young award finishes, one World Series championship ring, and three All- Star appearances, now is able to check the last item off his bucket list.
When he boarded the team bus from downtown Phoenix to the San Francisco Giants spring training complex, he looked around and didn’t even attempt to hide his euphoria.
“He’s so excited,” said WBC third baseman Nolan Arenado, one of four Cardinals on Team USA. “He’s done more than most people in this game, and to see him getting on the bus, and having him say that he felt like a little kid and couldn’t be more excited, was pretty cool.”
Then again, Wainwright felt a little old, too, when Milwaukee Brewers reliever Devin Williams, 28, a St. Louis native, couldn’t wait to tell him that he was one of his biggest fans growing up.
He has the autograph to prove it. “I was like 10 years old and he was at a furniture store,” Williams said, “and I came in and asked for his autograph. That’s how much he meant to me.” Wainwright’s response?
“Well,” he said, “at least I got a free couch out of it.”
“It’s just so cool to be around him,” Williams said, “and to try to pick his brain. He has so much knowledge and wisdom, I’ll try to gain a little bit if I can.”
Then again, considering they are divisional rivals, Williams may want to be careful. Wainwright isn’t giving up any of his secrets, to anyone, and plans to talk to as many position players as possible to garner some inside information.
Well, DeRosa might have spoiled that plan, when he informed his position players to be on the lookout.
“DeRo put them on full alert in the meeting,” Wainwright said, “and said, ‘ Watch out for Waino! He’s going to try to get all of the good stuff from you.’ ” True?
“Of course,” Wainwright said. “I’m trying to talk to as many people as I can. I’m just not going to give them anything.”
Says Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts: “He’s got that veteran mindset. He may get in our heads some way. But we’re all on the same side now, so it’s all fair game.”
Hey, that’s Wainwright, who tells you he wants to win as much as anyone, but isn’t going to be cheated on fun, either.
“I’m taking it very seriously,” Wainwright says. “I’ll be ready, but I’m also going to have some fun and try to make sure I enjoy it. I waited a long time to do this; I want to soak it all in.”