41-Year-Old Wainwright Speaks On How Much Longer He’ll Pitch

The St. Louis Cardinals will have 41-year-old Adam Wainwright back in their rotation for the 18th straight year in 2023. But just how much longer is he planning on pitching? He made that clear on Wednesday in a zoom call with the media.

"I just think it was meant to be for me to come back for one more year," Adam Wainwright says.

"I could tell you yes, but then there's a whole lot of hoopla you've gotta go through," he says when asked if this is his last year.

"I have so many distractions as it is."

— Jeff Jones (@jmjones) October 26, 2022

"Long story short: yes, this'll be the last one. Just everybody relax, don't freak out about it."

— Jeff Jones (@jmjones) October 26, 2022

He admitted that 2023 will be his final season, but he doesn't want any big parades or farewell gifts in his honor: "Long story short: yes, this'll be the last one. Just everybody relax, don't freak out about it. Just let me go out and pitch... I have so many distractions as it is.

"I just think it was meant to be for me to come back for one more year."

The three-time All-Star will turn 42 near the end of next season, but it's not like he didn't still perform at a high level for most of 2022; he posted a 3.71 ERA with a 143:54 K/BB ratio, and his 11 wins boosted his career total to 195. 

"The number I'm looking at is not 200 [wins], the number is 210."

That would require 15 wins, and put him second behind Bob Gibson in #stlcards franchise history.

He also said he wants to get past 212 so he beats John Smoltz.

— Jeff Jones (@jmjones) October 26, 2022

"The number I'm looking at is not 200 [wins], the number is 210," Wainwright said, a number which would put him 2nd all-time in Cardinals history behind only the legendary Bob Gibson.

Just don't hold a party for him when he gets there.