A Puppy’s Surprise Hello Leads To A Farewell…
Former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright is no stranger to the challenges of the sweltering summer months, having achieved a remarkable record of 30 wins and 13 losses with a 2.89 ERA in the month of July over the course of his illustrious career. Yet, Wainwright’s transition into retirement has added a delightful twist to the concept of the “dog days.”
During a heartfelt retirement ceremony…
…held prior to the Cardinals’ triumphant 4-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds in their season finale on October 1st, the team surprised Wainwright and his family with an adorable Lagotto Romagnolo puppy. In a charming turn of events, Wainwright later took to Twitter on Monday morning to share his official retirement paperwork, humorously citing the puppy as the catalyst for his departure from the game.
“People have been wondering if I’m officially retired…
…well, here’s the official retirement paperwork that we submitted to the Cardinals and MLBPA,” Wainwright declared. “Retired? Absolutely, and for all the best reasons. I’ll share more details later. Love you all.” When he submitted his official retirement papers to Major League Baseball, rather than listing health concerns or the opportunity to enjoy his $182m in career earnings, he gave his reason for stepping away from the game as “Because I got a puppy”.
Wainwright had once upon a time made a promise to his children…
…that he would bring a puppy into their lives once he decided to hang up his cleats. The three-time All-Star had announced his intention to conclude his remarkable baseball career back in October 2022, designating the 2023 season as his swan song.
As Adam well knows, successful careers start with proper training…
And for the newest addition to the Wainwright fam? It’s time to put on his best paws and start puppy training straight out of the bullpen.
**Photos: Adam Wainwright Twitter/X
About the Author
Petworks Co-Founder Kevin Kinyon is a life-long animal lover who works tirelessly to improve the lives of pets and their parents. Human and animal qualities he values most are integrity, humor, and empathy.
