View source for Adam Wainwright

{{short description|American baseball player (born 1981)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
| name        = Adam Wainwright
| image       = Adam Wainright (cropped).jpg
| image_size  = 
| caption     = Wainwright with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2012
| position    = [[Pitcher]]
| number      = 
| bats        = Right
| throws      = Right
| birth_date  = {{Birth date and age|1981|8|30}}
| birth_place = [[Brunswick, Georgia]], U.S.
| debutleague = MLB
| debutdate   = September 11
| debutyear   = 2005
| debutteam   = St. Louis Cardinals
| finalleague = MLB
| finaldate   = October 1
| finalyear   = 2023
| finalteam   = St. Louis Cardinals
| statleague  = MLB
| stat1label  = [[Win–loss record (pitching)|Win–loss record]]
| stat1value  = 200–128
| stat2label  = [[Earned run average]]
| stat2value  = 3.53
| stat3label  = [[Strikeout]]s
| stat3value  = 2,202
| teams       = 
* [[St. Louis Cardinals]]  ({{mlby|2005}}–{{mlby|2010}}, {{mlby|2012}}–{{mlby|2023}}) 
| awards      = 
*3× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2010]], [[2013 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2013]], [[2014 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2014]])
* <!--Per discussion at WP:BASEBALL, do not add 2011. See Wikipedia talk:WikiProject_Baseball/Archive 40#Inclusion of players as World Series Champions -->[[World Series]] champion ([[2006 World Series|2006]])<!--NOTE: Only players on a winning team's World Series roster are listed as World Series champion, per the above noted discussion. Yes, the Cardinals gave him a World Series ring; teams award championship rings to many people in their organization, players and non-players, at their discretion. 2011 is not listed because Wainwright was not on the 2011 World Series roster. Additions of 2011 will be reverted. Wikipedia editors who disagree with this criterion should open a constructive discussion at WP:BASEBALL after reviewing relevant past discussions.-->
*2× [[Gold Glove Award]] (2009, 2013)
*[[Silver Slugger Award]] (2017)
*[[Roberto Clemente Award]] (2020)
*2× [[List of Major League Baseball annual wins leaders|NL wins leader]] (2009, 2013)
| medaltemplates =
{{MedalSport | Men's [[baseball]]}}
{{MedalCountry | {{USA}}}}
{{MedalCompetition | [[World Baseball Classic]]}}
{{MedalSilver| [[2023 World Baseball Classic|2023 Miami]] | [[United States national baseball team|Team]]}}
}}

'''Adam Parrish Wainwright''' (born August 30, 1981), nicknamed "'''Waino'''" and "'''Uncle Charlie'''",<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.101espn.com/2016/05/19/redbirds-reverb-wainwright-finds-curve-gets-groove-back/ |title=Redbirds Reverb: Adam Wainwright Has a Reunion with Uncle Charlie - 101 ESPN |access-date=October 3, 2019 |archive-date=October 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003013618/https://www.101espn.com/2016/05/19/redbirds-reverb-wainwright-finds-curve-gets-groove-back/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/cardinals-players-weekend-nicknames|title=Cardinals discuss Players' Weekend nicknames|website=MLB.com|date=August 13, 2019 }}</ref> is an American former professional [[baseball]] [[pitcher]] who spent his entire 18-year [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) career with the [[St. Louis Cardinals]].

The [[Atlanta Braves]] selected him 29th overall in the first round of the [[2000 Major League Baseball draft|2000 amateur draft]] from [[Glynn Academy]] in [[Brunswick, Georgia]]. His performance in the [[Minor League Baseball|minor leagues]] made him one of the Braves' top pitching prospects. After the 2003 season, the Braves traded him to the Cardinals for [[outfielder]] [[J. D. Drew]]. 

Wainwright made his MLB debut on September 11, 2005, and spent the rest of the season as a [[relief pitcher]]. The next year, he briefly assumed [[Closer (baseball)|closer]] duties, [[Save (baseball)|saving]] the series-clinching games of the [[2006 National League Championship Series]] and the [[2006 World Series]] over the [[Detroit Tigers]]. In 2007, he returned to starting pitching, a role in which he would remain for the rest of his career.  He missed the 2011 season due to [[Tommy John surgery]], but emerged as an [[Ace (baseball)|ace]], leading the [[National League (baseball)|National League]] multiple times in [[Win–loss record (pitching)|wins]], [[innings pitched]], and [[games started]]. He also has multiple top-ten finishes in [[earned run average]], [[strikeout]]s, [[walks plus hits per inning pitched]], and [[complete game]]s. In 2014, Wainwright became the first pitcher in Major League history to post nine of his first 18 starts with seven innings pitched and no runs allowed. In his career, Wainwright won 200 games, received three [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] selections and two [[Gold Glove Award]]s, and finished in the top three in the [[Cy Young Award]] balloting four times.

With 2,202 career strikeouts, Wainwright is second to [[Bob Gibson]] (3,117)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/SO_p_career.shtml |title=Career Leaders & Records for Strikeouts |work=[[Baseball-Reference.com]] |access-date=March 20, 2023}}</ref> in Cardinals [[List of St. Louis Cardinals team records|franchise history]]. Wainwright and longtime teammate [[Yadier Molina]] are the most successful [[Battery (baseball)|battery]] in Major League history, having both the most wins and starts together.

On September 18, 2023, he became the third Cardinals' pitcher to win 200 games, joining [[Bob Gibson]] (251), and [[Jesse Haines]] (210), and the 122nd in baseball history. With three strikeouts, he also became the 66th pitcher in baseball history with at least 2,200 strikeouts.<ref name=200-wins>{{cite web |url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/professional/mlb/cardinals/200-adam-wainwright-outwits-outpitches-in-outstanding-1-0-win-for-history-for-cardinals/article_d6171fc8-564d-11ee-bf31-475bcc188df9.html#tracking-source=home-top-story |title=200! Adam Wainwright outwits, outpitches in outstanding 1-0 win for history, for Cardinals |work=[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]] |first=Derrick |last=Goold |date=September 18, 2023}}</ref>

==Early life==
Wainwright was born in [[Brunswick, Georgia]], to Bill, an [[attorney at law|attorney]], and Nancy Wainwright, a [[real estate broker|real estate agent]].<ref name=Jock>{{cite web |url=http://www.jockbio.com/Bios/AWain/AWain_bio.html |title=Adam Wainwright biography |publisher=Jock Bio.com website|year=2006|access-date=March 29, 2013}}</ref> His parents divorced when he was seven years old and his father moved to [[Florida]], leaving only Wainwright's mother to raise him and his older brother Trey, now an attorney in [[Atlanta]].<ref name=Jock/><ref name=Action>{{cite web |last=Darnall |first=Mark |url=http://www.athletesinaction.org/news/post/2011/02/14/Cardinals-Right-Hander-is-Thriving-in-His-Work-and-Calling.aspx |title=Cardinals right-hander is thriving in his work and calling |publisher=Athletes in Action website |date=February 14, 2011 |access-date=March 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130407093320/http://www.athletesinaction.org/news/post/2011/02/14/Cardinals-Right-Hander-is-Thriving-in-His-Work-and-Calling.aspx |archive-date=April 7, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Wainwright credits Trey, seven years his senior, with teaching him everything he knows about sports after their father left, including building a pitcher's mound in their back yard to teach him how to pitch.<ref name=Jock/><ref name=Action/> Wainwright also participated in the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and numerous church activities, and grew up an [[Atlanta Braves]] fan.<ref name=Jock/><ref name=Action/>

===High school===
Wainwright attended high school at [[Glynn Academy]] in his native Brunswick, where he was an athletic and academic standout.<ref name=Action/> With a [[fastball]] over 90&nbsp;mph and batting average at times over .500, Wainwright was named [[Gatorade Player of the Year awards|Gatorade Georgia Player of the Year]] in 2000.<ref name=Jock/> He also played football, in which he was named to the All-State team as a [[wide receiver]] his junior and senior years as well as All-Region honors as a placekicker.<ref name="Jock" /> Various colleges and universities, including [[Georgia Tech]], offered him academic and baseball scholarships.<ref name=Action/>

==Professional career==

===Draft and minor leagues (2000–05)===

====Atlanta Braves organization (2000–03)====
The [[Atlanta Braves]] selected Wainwright 29th overall in the first round of the [[2000 Major League Baseball draft|2000 MLB draft]], using a compensatory pick from the [[Arizona Diamondbacks]] for signing [[Russ Springer]] in the offseason. Wainwright chose to forgo college to go straight to the pros, signing a contract that included a $1.25 million bonus. The Braves had been his favorite team growing up. Less than two weeks after high school graduation, Wainwright reported to the Braves rookie team and soon advanced to Atlanta's Class A [[Danville Braves]] in the [[Appalachian League]]. He pitched for the [[Macon Braves]] in the [[South Atlantic League]] in 2001, where he broke the team record for strikeouts, previously held by [[Bruce Chen]], with 184.<ref name=Jock/><ref name=milbstats>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=wainwr001ada |title=Adam Wainwright statistics & history |website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]] |access-date=July 13, 2014}}</ref>

Wainwright spent the 2002 season in the [[Carolina League]] and also participated in that season's [[All-Star Futures Game]]. In 2003, Wainwright advanced to the Braves' Double-A club, [[Greenville Braves|Greenville]].<ref name=Jock/> He was ''[[Baseball America|Baseball America's]]'' top Braves prospect in 2003.<ref name=milbstats/><ref name=locker>{{cite web |last=Crasnick |first=Jerry |author-link=Jerry Crasnick |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/columns/story?id=5186934 |title=This Card is a triple threat |work=[[ESPN.com]] |date=May 14, 2010 |access-date=April 28, 2014}}</ref> In December of that year, the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] acquired Wainwright and pitchers [[Jason Marquis]] and [[Ray King (baseball)|Ray King]] in a trade that sent outfielder [[J. D. Drew]] and [[utility player]] [[Eli Marrero]] to the Braves.<ref>{{cite web |agency=[[Associated Press]] |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=1685436 |title=Braves acquire Drew in deal with Cards |work=ESPN.com |date=December 14, 2003 |access-date=July 13, 2014}}</ref>

===St. Louis Cardinals (2005–2023)===
Wainwright pitched just 12 games for the [[Triple-A (baseball)|Triple-A]] [[Memphis Redbirds]] in 2004 before he was shut down for nearly the entire rest of the season with an [[elbow]] [[Strain (injury)|strain]]. There, he had a 4–4 [[Win–loss record (pitching)|win–loss record]] (W–L) with a 5.37 [[earned run average]] (ERA) in {{frac|63|2|3}} [[innings pitched]] (IP). He struck out 64 batters and allowed 68 [[Hit (baseball)|hits]] and 28 walks ([[Base on balls|BB]]). In the [[Arizona Fall League]], he returned to pitch 10 innings. He spent the next season with Memphis, starting 29 games, completing 182 IP, allowing 204 hits and 51 BB while striking out 147. His win–loss record was 10–10. After two somewhat uneven seasons in the Cardinals' minor league system, Wainwright made his MLB debut for St. Louis on September 11, [[2005 St. Louis Cardinals season|2005]].<ref name=milbstats/><ref name=scout>{{cite web |url=http://stlcardinals.scout.com/a.z?s=321&p=8&c=1&nid=7431264 |title=Adam Wainwright profile |publisher=[[Scout.com]] |access-date=July 13, 2014}}</ref>

====2006====
[[File:Adam Wainwright 2006.jpg|thumb|Wainwright in 2006, his first full season]]
Wainwright made the Cardinals' Opening Day roster as a relief pitcher after having been a starter for his entire minor league career. On May 24, [[2006 St. Louis Cardinals season|2006]], he hit a [[home run]] on the first pitch he saw as [[Batting (baseball)|batter]] in the major leagues against the [[2006 San Francisco Giants season|San Francisco Giants]]' [[Noah Lowry]]; he became the 22nd batter, and only the seventh [[pitcher]], in Major League history and 11th National Leaguer to hit a home run off the first pitch thrown in his first at-bat.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/feats/feats6.shtml |title=Home run with first pitch ever |access-date=November 29, 2008 |work=[[Baseball Almanac]] | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081223021047/http://www.baseball-almanac.com/feats/feats6.shtml| archive-date= December 23, 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref>

Wainwright pitched capably as a [[Middle relief pitcher|middle reliever]], but when incumbent [[Closer (baseball)|closer]] [[Jason Isringhausen]] underwent season-ending hip surgery in September, Wainwright was pressed into service as the closer. He saved two crucial games on September 27 and 30 as St. Louis held off the [[2006 Houston Astros season|Houston Astros']] late charge and won the [[National League Central|NL Central]] Division championship. Despite their unexceptional 83–78 regular-season record, the Cardinals rolled through October to win the [[2006 World Series|10th world championship]] in franchise history. As the closer, Wainwright closed out the final game of the Cardinals' National League Division Series, ending the [[New York Mets]]' season and propelling the Cardinals to the [[2006 National League Championship Series]], where he famously struck out [[Carlos Beltrán]] in [[2006 National League Championship Series#Game 7|Game 7]] to send the Cardinals to the [[2006 World Series|World Series]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadspin.com/10-years-ago-today-carlos-beltran-didnt-swing-1787979716|title=10 Years Ago Today, Carlos Beltran Didn't Swing|date=October 19, 2016|last=Petchesky|first=Barry|website=[[Deadspin]]}}</ref> In [[2006 World Series#Game 5.2C October 27|Game 5]] of the [[2006 World Series]], Wainwright struck out [[Detroit Tigers]] [[third baseman]] [[Brandon Inge]] to win the championship.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2006 World Series Game 5, Detroit Tigers at St. Louis Cardinals, October 27, 2006|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLN/SLN200610270.shtml|access-date=September 7, 2021|website=Baseball-Reference.com|language=en}}</ref>

====2007====
Wainwright moved from the bullpen to the starting rotation for [[2007 St. Louis Cardinals season|2007]]. Shortly after losing ace [[Chris Carpenter]] for the year due to elbow surgery, Wainwright emerged as the Cardinals' most reliable starter. On August 10, he threw the first complete game of his career, a 2–1 loss to [[2007 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Los Angeles]], and the only nine-inning complete game for the Cardinals that season. By September, Wainwright had established himself as the staff ace in Carpenter's absence, going 9–6 with a 2.94 ERA from mid-May to the end of the season. He finished his first year by leading the club in almost every pitching category—games started, innings pitched, strikeouts, and wins—while compiling a 3.70 ERA and a 14–12 record. His 14 wins were the most in franchise history for a first-year starter. His 2.71 ERA after the All-Star break was third-best in the NL.<ref>{{cite web |agency=[[Associated Press]] |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3303562 |title=Cardinals give Wainwright new four-year, $15M deal |work=[[ESPN.com]] |date=March 20, 2008 |access-date=July 19, 2014}}</ref>

====2008====
[[File:DSC03127 Adam Wainwright.jpg|thumb|upright|Wainwright in the dugout.]]
In March 2008, Wainwright signed a four-year deal with the Cardinals worth $21 million, with two club options for 2012 and 2013 that made the potential aggregate value $36 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080320&content_id=2446186&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080325080216/http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080320&content_id=2446186&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 25, 2008 |title=Wainwright signs long-term deal Cardinals right-hander agrees to four-year contract |access-date=November 29, 2008 |last=Leach |first=Matthew |date=March 20, 2008 |work=[[MLB.com]]}}</ref> He gave up four runs or less in each of his first seven starts. However, the Cardinals lost to the [[2008 Milwaukee Brewers season|Brewers]] 8–3 in Wainwright's eighth start, on May 13, as [[Ryan Braun]] hit two home runs off him.<ref>{{cite web |agency=Associated Press |url=http://newsok.com/braun-homers-twice-again-as-brewers-beat-cards/article/2849823 |title=Braun homers twice again as Brewers beat Cards |work=[[The Oklahoman]] |date=May 13, 2008 |access-date=July 19, 2014}}</ref>   He suffered a strain on the middle finger of his pitching hand in June, causing him to miss {{frac|2|1|2}} months of the season. In 20 starts, he finished 11–3 with a 3.20 ERA.<ref>{{cite web |last=Falkoff |first=Robert |url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080924&content_id=3542572&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205111127/http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080924&content_id=3542572&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 5, 2009 |title=Wainwright secures winning season |website=St. Louis Cardinals|publisher=MLB |date=September 25, 2008 |access-date=July 19, 2014}}</ref>

====2009====
On August 19, [[2009 St. Louis Cardinals season|2009]], at [[Dodger Stadium]], Wainwright had a [[no-hitter]] going against the [[2009 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Los Angeles Dodgers]] for {{frac|5|1|3}} innings before [[Orlando Hudson]] broke it up with a clean single to left field. In his next start against the [[2009 Houston Astros season|Astros]], he pitched eight shutout innings to pick up his then-league-leading 15th win in a 1–0 victory. It was Wainwright's 25th straight start with at least six innings pitched. In five August starts that season, he completed {{frac|35|2|3}} IP with just one walk and 22 SO.<ref>{{cite web |agency=Associated Press |url=http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=290825124 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810161329/http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=290825124 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 10, 2014 |title=Wainwright shuts down Astros to become NL's first 15-game winner |work=ESPN.com |date=August 25, 2009 |access-date=August 14, 2014}}</ref> On September 26, Wainwright pitched eight innings and struck out eleven for a 6–3, NL Central division-clinching victory against the [[2009 Colorado Rockies season|Colorado Rockies]] at [[Coors Field]] for his 19th win.<ref>{{cite web |last=Leach |first=Matthew |url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090926&content_id=7174402&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090930084741/http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090926&content_id=7174402&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 30, 2009 |title=Gutty Wainwright leads Cards to clinch: Righty tosses eight solid innings; LaRue hits go-ahead blast |work=MLB.com |date=September 27, 2009}}</ref> Wainwright finished with a 19–8 record and a 2.63 ERA, leading the National League in wins, games started (34), and innings pitched (233).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=425794#gameType=%27R%27&sectionType=career&statType=2&season=2012&level=%27MLB%27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070314185555/http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=425794#gameType=%27R%27&sectionType=career&statType=2&season=2012&level=%27MLB%27|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 14, 2007|title = Adam Wainwright stats |work=MLB.com |date=February 3, 2013}}</ref> He also struck out a major-league high 140 batters on third-strike curveballs.<ref name=locker/>

On October 28, Wainwright won the [[Players Choice Award#Winners|Players Choice Award]] as the NL Most Outstanding Pitcher.<ref name=choice>{{cite web |agency=[[Major League Baseball Players Association|MLBPA]] Press Release |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/releases/releases.jsp?content=043010 |title=Carpenter, Pujols, and Wainwright presented Players Choice Awards |work=MLB.com |date=April 30, 2010}}</ref> He won his first [[List of Gold Glove Award winners at pitcher|Gold Glove Award]] on November 11, 2009.<ref>{{cite web |last=Leach |first=Matthew |url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091111&content_id=7652178&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091115133914/http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091111&content_id=7652178&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 15, 2009 |title=Molina, Wainwright nab Gold Gloves: Back-to-back awards for Cards catcher; hurler wins first |work=MLB.com |date=November 11, 2009}}</ref> Wainwright was a top contender for the [[Cy Young Award]] along with teammate [[Chris Carpenter]] and eventual winner [[Tim Lincecum]]. He became only the second pitcher ever—[[Trevor Hoffman]] was the first—to get the most first-place votes and not win the award.{{efn|group=note|Wainwright became just the second pitcher in the history of the Cy Young Award to garner the most first-place votes and not win the award. In 1998, San Diego's Trevor Hoffman collected 13 first-place votes and Atlanta's [[Tom Glavine]] totaled 11. However, Glavine amassed the most points, 98–88, and thus was the winner.<ref name=Lincecum/>}}<ref name=Lincecum>{{cite news |last=Haft |first=Chris |title=Lincecum's the one; that makes two Cys |work= MLB.com |date =November 19, 2009 |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091115&content_id=7669426&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb |access-date=January 22, 2011}}</ref>

====2010====
Pitching in his first [[2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star Game]], Wainwright completed one inning. He faced five batters, throwing 17 pitches for ten strikes and seven balls, and allowed no runs with just one hit—a double off the glove of fellow Cardinal All-Star [[Matt Holliday]]—one walk, and two strikeouts.<ref>[http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2010_07_13_nasmlb_aasmlb_1&mode=gameday NL 3, AL 1] ''MLB.com''</ref> In one 11-game stretch preceding August 16, he compiled {{frac|66|1|3}} IP in nine of those starts and allowed two earned runs for a 0.27 ERA.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Cocoran |first=Cliff |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/cliff_corcoran/08/16/cy.young/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429050215/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/cliff_corcoran/08/16/cy.young/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 29, 2014 |title=Adam Wainwright, David Price continue to sit atop NL, AL Cy Young chases |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |date=August 16, 2010 |access-date=April 28, 2014}}</ref>

Wainwright finished the [[2010 St. Louis Cardinals season|2010 season]] 20–11 with a 2.42 ERA, five complete games, 213 strikeouts, 56 walks, 15 home runs allowed, and a WHIP of 1.05, in {{frac|230|1|3}} IP. His win, strikeout, complete game, and shutout totals were all career-bests. His win total and ERA were both good for second place in the National League (behind only [[Josh Johnson (pitcher)|Josh Johnson]]'s 2.30 ERA and [[Roy Halladay]]'s 21 wins). He also pitched the first two shutouts of his career in 2010—one against the [[2010 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee Brewers]] on June 4 and a two-hitter against the [[2010 Florida Marlins season|Florida Marlins]] on August 6.<ref>{{cite web |agency=[[Associated Press]] |url=http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/203579/26/Adam-Wainwright-pitches-complete-game-shutout-against-Brewers |title=Adam Wainwright pitches complete game shutout against the Brewers |publisher=[[KSDK]].com |date=June 4, 2010 |access-date=April 28, 2014 |archive-date=April 28, 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140428202906/http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/203579/26/Adam-Wainwright-pitches-complete-game-shutout-against-Brewers |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |agency=[[Associated Press]] |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2010-08-06/wainwright-pujols-lead-cards-over-marlins-7-0 |title=Wainwright, Pujols lead Cardinals over Marlins, 7–0 |magazine=The [[Sporting News]] |date=August 7, 2010 |access-date=April 28, 2014 |archive-date=April 29, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429080213/http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2010-08-06/wainwright-pujols-lead-cards-over-marlins-7-0 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Wainwright was the runner-up for the 2010 NL Cy Young Award, finishing second in voting behind unanimous winner Halladay. Wainwright picked up 28 of 32 second-place votes. Near the end of the season, he had experienced elbow discomfort and nerve swelling. A [[magnetic resonance imaging]] (MRI) scan cleared him after the season.<ref>{{cite web |last=Leach |first=Matthew |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101116&content_id=16112010&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb |title=Wainwright second to Halladay on Cy ballot |work=MLB.com |date=November 16, 2010 |access-date=November 16, 2010}}</ref>

====2011====
Shortly after reporting to spring training, Wainwright experienced discomfort in his right [[elbow]] while pitching [[Glossary of baseball (B)#batting practice|batting practice]] on February 21. Three days later, the Cardinals announced that Wainwright would miss the entire [[2011 St. Louis Cardinals season|2011 season]]—and possibly the first three months of the next season—after finding that [[Ulnar collateral ligament of elbow joint|ulnar collateral ligament]] damage necessitated [[Tommy John surgery]] (TJS). George Paletta, the team physician, performed the surgery on February 28 in [[St. Louis]] and it was deemed "a success".<ref>{{cite web |last=Leach |first=Matthew |url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110228&content_id=16768512&notebook_id=16769392&vkey=notebook_stl&c_id=stl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110303043338/http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110228&content_id=16768512&notebook_id=16769392&vkey=notebook_stl&c_id=stl |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 3, 2011 |title=Wainwright surgery deemed a success |work=MLB.com |date=February 28, 2011}}</ref> Former clients for the same surgery included teammates [[Chris Carpenter]], [[Jaime García (baseball)|Jaime García]], and [[Kyle McClellan]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Goold |first=Derrick |url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/article_7aed2440-402f-11e0-b850-00127992bc8b.html |title=Wainwright set for Tommy John surgery |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=February 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Strauss |first=Joe |url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/article_67aa4640-249c-5604-90fd-1e0fce66ceac.html |title=Earlier: Cards, Wainwright 'prepare for the worst' |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=February 24, 2011}}</ref> Wainwright's contract featured options for 2012 and 2013 totaling $21 million with a provision that they would not automatically vest if he ended the 2011 season on the [[disabled list]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Leach |first1=Matthew |last2=Noble |first2=Marty |url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110223&content_id=16711050&vkey=news_stl&c_id=stl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110226091652/http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110223&content_id=16711050&vkey=news_stl&c_id=stl |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 26, 2011 |title=Cards GM: Wainwright needs Tommy John |work=MLB.com |date=February 24, 2011}}</ref>

The Cardinals made the playoffs as a [[Major League Baseball wild card|wild card]] [[List of National League Wild Card winners|entry]], overtaking the [[2011 Atlanta Braves season|Braves]] on the final day of the season.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/nl/story/2011-09-28/cards-win-earn-share-of-wild-card/50595328/1 |title=Carpenter, Cardinals win NL wild card |work=USA Today |date=September 28, 2011 |access-date=July 21, 2014}}</ref> They eventually won the [[2011 World Series|World Series]], defeating the [[2011 Texas Rangers season|Texas Rangers]] four games to three. The Cardinals awarded Wainwright his second [[World Series ring]], despite not pitching the entire season.

====2012====
Fully recovered after TJS and rehabilitation, Wainwright was ready ahead of schedule for spring training. Statistically, the [[2012 St. Louis Cardinals season|2012 season]] proved to be an overall disappointment by Wainwright's standards, as he wound up 14–13 with a 3.94 ERA. However, it was encouraging in regards to the health of his right arm, as he completed the entire season without any issues. In addition, pitchers recovering from TJS often find it challenging at first to throw with the same command as before the surgery, and thus to achieve post-surgery results equal to pre-surgery results. This was the case at first with Wainwright.<ref>{{cite news |last=Short |first=D.J. |url=http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/04/19/adam-wainwright-continues-to-struggle-in-return-from-tommy-john-surgery/ |title=Adam Wainwright continues to struggle in return from Tommy John surgery |work=[[NBC Sports]] |date=April 19, 2012}}</ref>

On May 22, he threw his first complete-game shutout since August 6, 2010, and the third of his career in his ninth complete game. It was a four-hit, 4–0 win at home against the [[2012 San Diego Padres season|San Diego Padres]], striking out nine and walking only one.<ref>{{cite web |last=Langosch |first=Jenifer |url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_05_22_sdnmlb_slnmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=stl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525104042/http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_05_22_sdnmlb_slnmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=stl |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 25, 2012 |title=Wainwright throws first shutout since 2010 |work=MLB.com |date=May 23, 2012}}</ref> Wainwright reached his 1,000th career inning on July 29.<ref name="ERA+">{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/earned_run_avg_plus_active.shtml |title=Active leaders & records for adjusted ERA+ |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=July 30, 2012}}</ref> The May 22 start marked a turning point in the season. During a 13-start stretch through August 3, he pitched {{frac|85|2|3}} innings, striking out 83 while allowing just four home runs and 17 BB. Wainwright attributed the improvement to be able to sustain the usual finishing movement on his pitches through late innings, which earlier in the season, had eluded him, thus making his pitches easier to hit. He also corrected a subtle flaw that had developed on the grip of his curveball during a bullpen session prior to the start against San Diego. The flaw made it increasingly difficult to throw the curveball for consistent strikes.<ref>{{cite web |last=Keri |first=Jonah |author-link=Jonah Keri |url=http://grantland.com/the-triangle/adam-wainwrights-long-and-winding-road-to-recovery/ |title=Adam Wainwright's long and winding road to recovery |publisher=[[Grantland]] |date=August 3, 2012 |access-date=July 13, 2014}}</ref>

====2013====
On March 28, [[2013 St. Louis Cardinals season|2013]], the Cardinals announced they and Wainwright had agreed to a five-year contract extension. At the time, he was under the last year of his previous contract, so the new deal extended him through 2018. With a total value of $97.5 million, it was the largest contract ever for a Cardinals pitcher.<ref name=Deal>{{cite web |last=Langosch |first=Jenifer |url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130327&content_id=43406304&c_id=stl |title=Wainwright, Cardinals agree on five-year extension |work=MLB.com |date=March 28, 2013 |access-date=March 28, 2013 |archive-date=January 31, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140131114415/http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130327&content_id=43406304&c_id=stl |url-status=dead }}</ref> On April 18, he became the first pitcher in baseball since 1900 to achieve 28 strikeouts and zero walks in his first four starts of a season.<ref>{{cite web |last=Goold |first=Derrick |url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/birdland/goold-meet-pea-ridge-day-the-cardinals-hog-calling-pitcher/article_ef440d5b-9fc9-5488-87b8-17da27ce6916.html |title=Meet Pea Ridge Day, the Cardinals' hog-calling pitcher |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=April 23, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Goold |first=Derrick |url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/cards-notebook-molina-rests-waino-makes-history/article_e0041de4-36fc-5849-88b9-a995dc3f0cfb.html |title=Molina rests; Waino makes history |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=April 20, 2013}}</ref> [[Slim Sallee]] established the franchise record exactly [[1913 St. Louis Cardinals season|100 years earlier]] by not issuing a walk in his first 40 innings.<ref>{{cite web |last=Greenberg |first=Jay |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130419&content_id=45232990&notebook_id=45233220&vkey=notebook_stl&c_id=stl |title=Wainwright still hasn't issued a walk |work=MLB.com |date=April 19, 2013}}</ref> Wainwright's streak ended in a start at [[2013 Washington Nationals season|Washington]] on April 23 after {{frac|34|2|3}} innings and 133 batters faced.<ref name="endstreak">{{cite web |last=Langosch |first=Jenifer |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_04_23_slnmlb_wasmlb_1&mode=recap_away&c_id=stl |title=Wainwright dominates as Cards blank Nats |work=MLB.com |date=April 23, 2013}}</ref>

The first MLB pitcher to post 10 wins on June 13, Wainwright put up seven scoreless innings in a 2–1 defeat of the [[2013 New York Mets season|Mets]] at [[Citi Field]]. Moreover, his strikeout of [[David Wright]] was his first of the game and the 1,000th of his career. He allowed six hits and struck out a total of four.<ref>{{cite web |last=Langosch |first=Jenifer |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_06_13_slnmlb_nynmlb_1&mode=recap_away&c_id=stl |title=Wainwright spins gem, becomes first to reach 10 wins |work=MLB.com |date=June 13, 2013}}</ref> Wainwright became the NL [[Pitcher of the Month]] for June with a 4–2 record and 1.77 ERA. With 40 strikeouts for the month, Wainwright issued just six walks while holding opposing batters to a .220 average. Through that point in the season, he was 11–5 with a 2.22 ERA, and was the MLB leader with four complete games and a 9.5 strikeout-to-walk ratio.<ref>{{cite web |last=Simon |first=Andrew |date=July 3, 2013 |title=Wainwright named NL Pitcher of the Month: Cardinals ace won four games, struck out 40 batters in June |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130703&content_id=52581528&vkey=news_stl&c_id=stl |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130707013145/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130703&content_id=52581528&vkey=news_stl&c_id=stl |archive-date=2013-07-07 |work=MLB.com}}</ref>

In successive starts against the [[2013 Cincinnati Reds season|Reds]] in late August, Wainwright allowed 15 runs, both losses. He struck out eight in seven shutout innings on September 7 at home in a 5–0 win over the first-place [[2013 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pirates]] in earning his 16th victory of the season. The Pirates, Reds, and Cardinals were all close contenders for the Central division title in September. The win gave the Cardinals first place over the Pirates by a half-game, and {{frac|1|1|2}} games over the Reds.<ref>{{cite web |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/cardinals/2013/09/07/adam-wainwright-moves-cardinals-first-place-nl-central-pirates/2781341/ |title=Cards move into first behind Wainwright gem vs. Pirates |work=USA Today |date=September 7, 2013 |access-date=October 3, 2015}}</ref> Wainwright's seven strikeouts increased his career total to 1,103, passing [[Dizzy Dean]] (1,095) for second place among Cardinals' pitchers. Only [[Bob Gibson]] (3,117 in 528 games) had more.<ref>{{cite web |last=Thornburg |first=Chad |url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130907&content_id=59890910&notebook_id=59898378&vkey=notebook_stl&c_id=stl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023013843/http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130907&content_id=59890910&notebook_id=59898378&vkey=notebook_stl&c_id=stl |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 23, 2013 |title=Wainwright moves to No. 2 on Cardinals' K's list |work=MLB.com |date=September 8, 2013}}</ref>

In a 60-inning stretch following the All-Star break Wainwright had walked 14, compared with 15 in {{frac|146|2|3}} IP before the break.<ref>{{cite web |last=McNeal |first=Stan |url=http://www.foxsportsmidwest.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/story/Wainwright-believes-he-has-recent-strugg?blockID=937079 |title=Wainwright believes he has recent struggles figured out |publisher=Fox Sports Midwest |date=September 6, 2013 |access-date=November 11, 2013}}</ref> When fellow starter [[Shelby Miller]] defeated Nationals' starter [[Jordan Zimmermann]] on September 26, he denied Zimmermann his 20th victory.<ref>{{cite web| work=[[Associated Press]] |url=https://apnews.com/85dc5cdfad8349c194913101365f5404 |title=NL capsules |publisher=AP News Archive |date=September 26, 2013 |access-date=November 11, 2013}}</ref> Two days later, Wainwright, who was second in the league with 18 entering the game, defeated the [[2013 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] in his final start of the season to tie Zimmerman for the lead in wins at 19. Wainwright also became just the third pitcher in franchise history to twice lead the league in wins, joining [[Dizzy Dean]] ([[1934 St. Louis Cardinals season|1934]]–[[1935 St. Louis Cardinals season|35]]) and [[Mort Cooper]] ([[1942 St. Louis Cardinals season|1942]]–[[1943 St. Louis Cardinals season|43]]).<ref>{{cite news |agency=[[Associated Press]] |url=http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20130928/sports/709289801/print/ |title=Wainwright wins 19th, Cardinals beat Cubs 6–2 |newspaper=Daily Herald |date=September 28, 2013 |access-date=November 11, 2013}}</ref> He also led the NL in games started (34), innings pitched ({{frac|241|2|3}}), hits allowed (223), and batters faced (956), and was third in strikeouts.<ref name=atone>{{cite web |last=Slover |first=Ray |agency=Associated Press |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2013-10-28/world-series-2013-cardinals-ace-adam-wainwright-seeks-game-5-atonement |title=Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright seeks Game 5 atonement |work=[[Sporting News]] |date=October 28, 2013 |access-date=October 3, 2015 |archive-date=October 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004135609/http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2013-10-28/world-series-2013-cardinals-ace-adam-wainwright-seeks-game-5-atonement |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The Cardinals faced the [[2013 Boston Red Sox season|Boston Red Sox]] in the [[2013 World Series|World Series]], and called upon Wainwright to start Game 1 against [[Jon Lester]]. It was Wainwright's first World Series appearance since 2006 and first start. He allowed five runs and St. Louis lost, 8–1.<ref name=atone/> In Game 5, a rematch against Lester, the Cardinals again lost, this time 3–1. Wainwright struck out 10 in seven innings, becoming the first Cardinal to reach double digits in strikeouts in a World Series game since [[Bob Gibson|Gibson]] against the [[1968 Detroit Tigers season|Detroit Tigers]] in [[1968 World Series|1968]].<ref>{{cite web |agency=Associated Press |url=http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2013/10/world_series_2013_jon_lester_outduels_adam_wainright_as_red_sox_beat_cardinals_3-1_to_take_3-2_serie.html |title=Jon Lester outduels Adam Wainwright as Red Sox beat Cardinals, 3–1, to take 3–2 series lead |work=[[The Star-Ledger]] (Nj.com) |date=October 28, 2013 |access-date=October 3, 2015}}</ref> After the Cardinals took a 2–1 Series lead, the Red Sox won the final three games to take the title.<ref>{{cite web |last=Waldstein |first=David |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/31/sports/baseball/boston-red-sox-rout-st-louis-cardinals-to-win-world-series.html |title=Red Sox rout Cardinals to win World Series |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=October 31, 2013 |access-date=October 3, 2015}}</ref>

Wainwright won his second Gold Glove award in 2013.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |last=Skretta |first=Dave |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/9900487/yadier-molina-st-louis-cardinals-wins-sixth-straight-gold-glove |title=Yadier Molina of St. Louis Cardinals wins sixth straight Gold Glove |work=[[ESPN.com]] |date=October 29, 2013 |access-date=October 29, 2013}}</ref> In the Cy Young balloting, Wainwright placed second, his second such ranking, and finished 23rd in the NL MVP voting.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://bbwaa.com/13-nl-cy/ |title=Clayton Kershaw takes another |publisher=[[Baseball Writers' Association of America]] |date=November 13, 2013 |access-date=November 14, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://bbwaa.com/13-nl-mvp/ |title=Andrew McCutchen wins Pirates' 1st MVP since 1992 |publisher=[[Baseball Writers' Association of America]] |date=November 14, 2013 |access-date=November 15, 2013}}</ref>

====2014====
Starting for the Cardinals against the [[2014 Cincinnati Reds season|Reds]] on Opening Day, March 31, 2014, Wainwright won his 100th career decision. In seven innings, he struck out nine and gave up just three singles in a 1–0 win.<ref>{{cite news |last=Langosch |first=Jenifer |url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2014_03_31_slnmlb_cinmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=stl |title=Cardinals' battery powers shutout of Reds |work=MLB.com |date=March 31, 2014 |access-date=April 1, 2014 |archive-date=April 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407080752/http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2014_03_31_slnmlb_cinmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=stl |url-status=dead }}</ref> At [[Nationals Park]] against [[2014 Washington Nationals season|Washington]] on April 17, he pitched a two-hit shutout, winning 8–0. Wainwright gave up the first hit in the second inning on a high infield chopper, but none after until two outs into the ninth. He walked three and struck out eight. It was his seventh career shutout.<ref>{{cite web |last=Langosch |first=Jenifer |url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2014_04_17_slnmlb_wasmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=stl |title=Waino stymies Nationals with two-hit shutout |work=MLB.com |date=April 17, 2014 |access-date=April 18, 2014 |archive-date=April 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419013440/http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2014_04_17_slnmlb_wasmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=stl |url-status=dead }}</ref> In an April 27 start against the [[2014 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pirates]], Wainwright tallied eight scoreless innings to extend a streak to 25 innings as the Cardinals won, 7–0, but was pulled before he could get a complete game due to concerns over his April 22 hyperextended right knee injury.<ref>{{cite web |last=Langosch |first=Jenifer |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2014_04_27_pitmlb_slnmlb_1&mode=recap_home&c_id=stl |title=Wainwright deals, Peralta powers way to win |date=April 27, 2014 |access-date=April 27, 2014}}</ref> His streak of 25 scoreless innings ended in the first inning on May 2 in a loss against the [[2014 Chicago Cubs season|Cubs]], to whom he allowed six runs.<ref>{{cite web |last=Popely |first=Joe |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2014_05_02_slnmlb_chnmlb_1&mode=recap_away&c_id=stl |title=Wainwright allows six runs in loss to Cubs: Right-hander's 25-inning scoreless streak snapped in first inning |work=MLB.com |date=May 2, 2014}}</ref>

On May 20, Wainwright pitched a one-hitter against the [[2014 Arizona Diamondbacks season|Diamondbacks]]. He retired the first 11 batters before giving up a [[double (baseball)|double]] to [[Paul Goldschmidt]] in the fourth inning. After the hit, Wainwright retired the final 16 batters, facing only 28, one over the minimum for a [[Perfect game (baseball)|perfect game]]. He walked none and struck out nine, throwing 115 pitches, 86 for strikes. It was Wainwright's seventh win of the year, tying for the [[National League (baseball)|National League]] lead, and his 106th career victory against 59 losses. It also tied him for eighth place with Sallee on the all-time Cardinals' pitching win list and was his eighth career shutout.<ref>{{cite web |last=Langosch |first=Jenifer |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2014_05_20_arimlb_slnmlb_1&mode=recap_home&c_id=stl |title=Waino rattles Snakes with first career one-hitter |work=MLB.com |date=May 20, 2014}}</ref> Wainwright followed that effort with eight more scoreless innings on May 25. Between those two starts, he gave up just one walk and struck out a major-league-leading 21 batters in 17 scoreless innings. He was named [[Major League Baseball Player of the Week Award#2014|NL Co-Player of the Week]] with [[2014 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Dodgers]] starter [[Josh Beckett]], who threw a [[no-hitter]] on May 25.<ref>{{cite web |last=Fordin |first=Spencer |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/stl/josh-beckett-adam-wainwright-named-national-league-players-of-the-week?ymd=20140527&content_id=77033504&vkey=news_stl |title=Beckett, Wainwright named NL Players of Week |work=MLB.com |date=May 27, 2014}}</ref><ref name=pw>{{cite news |last=Hummel |first=Rick |url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/cardinal-beat/wainwright-is-nl-player-of-week/article_8c78803a-6f2c-51fa-ae9c-0e7840b21732.html |title=Wainwright is NL Player of the Week |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=May 27, 2014 |access-date=May 27, 2014}}</ref> However, he missed his June 16 against the [[2014 New York Mets season|Mets]] due to elbow [[tendinitis]], but an MRI showed no structural damage to the Tommy John surgically repaired ligament.<ref>{{cite web |last=Halsted |first=Alex |url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140614&content_id=79755798&notebook_id=79783348&vkey=notebook_stl&c_id=stl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714150502/http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140614&content_id=79755798&notebook_id=79783348&vkey=notebook_stl&c_id=stl |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |title=Wainwright to miss Monday's start with tendinitis: Cards' ace says elbow is fine, will likely make following start Saturday vs. Phillies |work=MLB.com |date=June 14, 2014}}</ref>

After leading the NL with a 1.79 ERA and 11 wins through July 6, Wainwright was selected to his third [[2014 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star Game]] at [[Target Field]] in [[Minneapolis]], [[Minnesota]]. He was selected as the NL's starting pitcher for the first time in his career.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hagen |first=Pat |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/all-stars-unveiled-including-26-first-timers?ymd=20140706&content_id=83398236&vkey=news_mlb |title=All-Stars unveiled, including 26 first-timers |work=MLB.com |date=July 6, 2014 |access-date=July 6, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Langosh |first=Jenifer |url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/stl/will-st-louis-cardinals-ace-adam-wainwright-start-all-star-game-mike-matheny-to-decide?ymd=20140706&content_id=83430542&vkey=news_stl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714214738/http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/stl/will-st-louis-cardinals-ace-adam-wainwright-start-all-star-game-mike-matheny-to-decide?ymd=20140706&content_id=83430542&vkey=news_stl |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |title=Will Wainwright start ASG? Matheny to decide |website=St. Louis Cardinals|publisher=MLB |date=July 6, 2014 |access-date=July 6, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Rogers |first=Phil |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/cardinals-adam-wainwright-to-start-for-nl-in-all-star-game?ymd=20140714&content_id=84672926&vkey=news_mlb |title=Cardinals' Adam Wainwright to start for NL in All-Star Game |date=July 14, 2014 |access-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref> Besides two starts in which he gave up seven runs to the Giants and six to the Cubs, Wainwright had allowed 13 runs in 16 of his first 18 starts. Nine of those starts included totals with seven or more innings pitched and zero earned runs allowed. Per the [[Elias Sports Bureau]] (ESB), it was the first time in Major League history that any pitcher achieved that feat in his first 18 starts of the season.<ref>{{cite web |last=Stark |first=Jayson |author-link=Jayson Stark |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/11196121/first-half-mlb-award-winners |title=First-half MLB award winners |work=ESPN.com |date=July 11, 2014 |access-date=July 11, 2014}}</ref>

When the Cardinals defeated the [[2014 Milwaukee Brewers season|Brewers]] 10–2 on July 12, Wainwright finished his pre-All Star break total with a 12–4 record and a 1.83 ERA. Further, he joined [[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum|Hall of Fame]] member [[Steve Carlton]] as the only Cardinals to post an ERA less than 2.00 and at least 12 wins before the All-Star break ([[1969 St. Louis Cardinals season|1969]]). In that game, Wainwright posted his Major League-leading 15th start of the season with at least seven innings pitched and two or fewer runs allowed.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sharp |first=Katie |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/49667/wainwright-has-the-edge-over-kershaw |title=Wainwright has the edge over Kershaw |work=ESPN.com |date=July 12, 2014 |access-date=July 12, 2014}}</ref> At the plate, his [[run batted in|RBI]]-single scored rookie [[Oscar Taveras]] for his 100th career hit.<ref>{{cite web |last=Eisele |first=Elizabeth |url=http://www.kmov.com/sports/Game-Log-Redbirds-rally-early-lead-Brewers-3-0-266883451.html |title=Redbirds crush Brewers 10–2, now tied for first in NL Central |publisher=KMOV.com |date=July 12, 2014 |access-date=July 13, 2014}}</ref>

In the All-Star Game, Wainwright incurred controversy over his remarks about facing [[leadoff hitter]] [[Derek Jeter]]. Jeter, who was retiring after the season, doubled on Wainwright's second pitch of the game. During interviews, he admitted that he gave Jeter an easy pitch to hit. "I was gonna give him a couple of pipe shots. He deserved it," Wainwright said. "I didn’t know he was gonna hit a double or I might have changed my mind." Wainwright later recanted, stating that it was in humor and that he was "not intentionally giving up hits out there".<ref>{{cite web |last=Doyle |first=Rick |url=http://nesn.com/2014/07/adam-wainwright-backtracks-after-saying-he-gave-derek-jeter-pipe-shots/ |title=Adam Wainwright backtracks after saying he grooved pitches to Derek Jeter |publisher=[[New England Sports Network|NESN]] |date=July 16, 2014 |access-date=July 16, 2014}}</ref>

Conversely, Jeter was appreciative. "He grooved them? The first one was a little cutter that he threw down and away. He probably assumed I was swinging. So he didn't groove the first one. The second was about 90, a two-seamer that stayed on a really good ... No, I don't know, man," he paused and smiled, drawing laughs from reporters. "I have no idea. If he grooved it, thank you. You still got to hit it."<ref>{{cite web |last=Greenberg |first=Chris |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/16/adam-wainwright-derek-jeter-pitch_n_5590120.html |title=Derek Jeter Seemed to be the only one not mad at Adam Wainwright about that pitch |work=[[The Huffington Post]] |date=July 16, 2014 |access-date=July 16, 2014}}</ref>

Following the All-Star break, Wainwright temporarily struggled to keep the consistency of the first half of the season due to frequent elbow irritation. In June, he gave up just four earned runs in 31 IP for a 1.16 ERA, and followed that up with a 1.62 ERA in July. His results reversed in August when he allowed 22 ER in {{frac|38|1|3}} IP for a 5.17 ERA. However, in September, he posted a 1.38 ERA in 39 IP with 29 SO and a 5–0 W–L.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=wainwad01&year=2014&t=p |title=Adam Wainwright 2014 pitching splits |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 30, 2014}}</ref> He was subsequently named the NL Pitcher of the Month for September.<ref name=Sept2014>{{cite web |last=Goold |first=Derrick |url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/cardinal-beat/wainwright-wins-nl-pitcher-of-the-month-award/article_b4799af6-b9dc-5eab-b0b1-21ad924b05c0.html |title=Wainwright wins NL Pitcher of the Month award |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=September 30, 2014 |access-date=September 30, 2014}}</ref>

After the season, Wainwright had a procedure to remove part of the cartilage of the right elbow on October 24. At times—commencing in June—he had altered his mechanics to mitigate the discomfort. In his third-to-last and second-to-last starts of the season—which were in the [[2014 National League Division Series|NLDS]] against the [[2014 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Dodgers]] and [[2014 National League Championship Series|NLCS]] against the [[2014 San Francisco Giants season|Giants]]—Wainwright was unable to complete five innings in both starts. This led to speculation Wainwright was pitching with pain, which he denied.<ref>{{cite web |last=Langosch |first=Jenifer |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/cardinals-ace-adam-wainwright-has-cartilage-trimmed-from-right-elbow/c-99491030 |title=Wainwright has cartilage trimmed from elbow: Cardinals expect ace right-hander to resume throwing in eight weeks |work=MLB.com |date=October 24, 2014 |access-date=October 24, 2014 |archive-date=October 25, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025163214/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/99491030/cardinals-ace-adam-wainwright-has-cartilage-trimmed-from-right-elbow |url-status=live }}</ref>

Through the 2014 season he had a career 132 [[ERA+]], third-highest for an active pitcher who has a minimum of 1,000 innings, and a {{winning percentage|119|66}} [[winning percentage]], fourth-highest for active pitchers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/earned_run_avg_plus_active.shtml |title=Active Leaders & Records for Adjusted ERA+ |website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]] |access-date=October 6, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/win_loss_perc_active.shtml |title=Active Leaders & Records for win–loss % |website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]] |access-date=October 6, 2014}}</ref> Wainwright finished third in the Cy Young voting for 2014, his third such placing, and fourth time he was positioned in the top three.<ref>{{cite web |last=Schoenfield |first=David |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/53424/kluber-edges-hernandez-for-al-cy-young |title=Kluber edges Hernandez for AL Cy Young |work=ESPN.com |date=November 12, 2014 |access-date=November 12, 2014}}</ref>

====2015====
The [[2015 St. Louis Cardinals season|Cardinals]] selected Wainwright to make his fourth career Opening Day start, and the season-opening game for MLB in 2015, in what was also the first-ever MLB Opening Night game. He was credited with the win as the Cardinals defeated the [[2015 Chicago Cubs season|Cubs]] at [[Wrigley Field]], 3–0.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Langosch |first1=Jenifer |last2=Muskat |first2=Carrie |url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/116489230/adam-wainwright-cardinals-spoil-jon-lesters-cubs-debut |title=Waino, Cards spoil Lester's Cubs debut |work=MLB.com |date=April 6, 2015 |access-date=April 8, 2015 |archive-date=April 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150408145817/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/116489230/adam-wainwright-cardinals-spoil-jon-lesters-cubs-debut |url-status=dead }}</ref> On April 25, Wainwright left the game against the [[2015 Milwaukee Brewers season|Brewers]] in the top of the fifth after suffering an ankle injury while batting. The next day, the Cardinals placed him on the 15-day disabled list,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Langosch |first1=Jenifer |title=Wainwright placed on 15-day DL with Achilles injury, will have MRI soon |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/st-louis-cardinals-ace-adam-wainwright-to-to-disabled-list-with-left-achilles-injury-mri-to-come/c-120506674 |work=MLB.com |date=April 26, 2015 |access-date=April 26, 2015 |archive-date=April 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427190231/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/120506674/st-louis-cardinals-ace-adam-wainwright-to-to-disabled-list-with-left-achilles-injury-mri-to-come |url-status=live }}</ref> and announced the following day that he had an [[Achilles tendon rupture]] and would likely miss the remainder of the season.<ref>{{cite web |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/12768740/adam-wainwright-st-louis-cardinals-goes-disabled-list-left-ankle-injury |title=Adam Wainwright expected to miss rest of season with Achilles injury |work=ESPN.com |date=April 26, 2015 |access-date=April 26, 2015}}</ref> He underwent successful surgery to repair the tendon on April 30.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Langosch |first1=Jenifer |title=Wainwright undergoes successful Achilles surgery |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/no-surprises-during-st-louis-cardinals-pitcher-adam-wainwrights-achilles-surgery/c-121501540 |work=MLB.com |access-date=April 30, 2015 |archive-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721182024/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/121501540/no-surprises-during-st-louis-cardinals-pitcher-adam-wainwrights-achilles-surgery |url-status=live }}</ref>

With a recovery initially expected to take nine to twelve months,<ref name=quickreturn>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2015/09/30/st-louis-cardinals-adam-wainwright-activated |title=St. Louis Cardinals activate RHP Adam Wainwright |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |date=September 30, 2015 |access-date=September 30, 2015}}</ref> Wainwright had made four appearances through that point in the season, going 2–1 with a 1.44 ERA. As the season progressed, he consistently stated his goal was to return to pitching before the end of the season. After working diligently to accelerate his recovery, the Cardinals announced on September 21 that he was cleared to resume baseball activities, two weeks prior to the conclusion of the regular season.<ref>{{cite web |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/13712409/yadier-molina-st-louis-cardinals-partially-torn-left-thumb-ligament |title=Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina has partially torn left thumb ligament |work=ESPN.com |date=September 21, 2015 |access-date=September 21, 2015}}</ref> His actual recovery took five months.<ref name=quickreturn/>

Making his first appearance of the season since April, Wainwright pitched a scoreless inning of relief in the first game of a [[Doubleheader (baseball)|doubleheader]] against Pittsburgh on September 30, an 8–2 loss. It was his first relief appearance since the 2006 World Series.<ref>{{cite web |last=Langosch |first=Jenifer |url=http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/152271280/adam-wainwright-activated-for-twin-bill |title=Wainwright appears in first game since April: Cards righty returns from left Achilles tear at least four months ahead of schedule |website=St. Louis Cardinals |publisher=MLB |date=September 30, 2015 |access-date=September 30, 2015 |archive-date=October 1, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001160833/http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/152271280/adam-wainwright-activated-for-twin-bill |url-status=dead }}</ref> Wainwright was named the [[Hutch Award]] winner for 2015.<ref name=hutch>{{cite web |last=Stone |first=Larry |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/for-hutch-award-winner-adam-wainwright-giving-back-is-better-than-accolades/ |title=For Hutch Award winner Adam Wainwright, giving back is better than accolades |work=[[The Seattle Times]] |date=January 27, 2016 |access-date=January 29, 2016}}</ref>

====2016====
[[File:Adam Wainwright (28120248110) (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Wainwright, seen here batting in 2017, won a [[Silver Slugger Award]] in 2016.]]
The Cardinals announced before spring training that Wainwright would be the Opening Day starter in [[2016 St. Louis Cardinals season|2016]], his fifth time. For the three previous seasons, he had gone 41–19 with a 2.61 ERA.<ref>{{cite web |last=Saxon |first=Mark |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/14817031/st-louis-cardinals-plan-start-adam-wainwright-opening-day |title=Cardinals plan to start Adam Wainwright on Opening Day |work=ESPN.com |date=February 21, 2016 |access-date=February 21, 2016}}</ref> For the second consecutive season, the Cardinals opened the MLB season, this time at [[PNC Park]] against the [[2016 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh Pirates]] on April 3. The Cardinals lost the game, 4–1, with Wainwright taking the first loss of the season.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Berry |first1=Adam |last2=Langosch |first2=Jenifer |url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20160403170226144?game_pk=446877 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407130210/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20160403170226144?game_pk=446877 |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 7, 2016 |title=Liriano's 10 K's, RBI send Bucs past Cards |work=MLB.com |date=April 3, 2016 |access-date=April 17, 2016}}</ref> He hit his first home run of season in a 10–3 win over the [[2016 Philadelphia Phillies season|Philadelphia Phillies]] on May 2, also being credited with his second win.<ref>{{cite web |last=Saxon |first=Mark |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/st-louis-cardinals/post/_/id/1023/cardinals-rally-behind-adam-wainwrights-hitting |title=Cardinals rally behind Adam Wainwright's hitting |work=ESPN.com |date=May 3, 2016 |access-date=May 3, 2016}}</ref> In each of four consecutive plate appearances spanning April 27 to May 7, he became the first Cardinal pitcher since 1900 to garner an extra base hit while batting, per [[Elias Sports Bureau]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Hummel |first=Rick |url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/wainwright-settles-on-mound-continues-tear-at-the-plate/article_038b45c2-d949-5f39-a656-baa427cdd381.html |title=Wainwright settles on mound, continues tear at the plate |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=May 7, 2016 |access-date=May 8, 2016}}</ref> On the mound, he struggled early, yielding a 5.04 ERA in his first 16 starts of the season.<ref>{{cite news |last=Townsend |first=Mark |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/adam-wainwright-rounding-into-form-at-right-time-for-cardinals-053934763.html |title=Adam Wainwright rounding into form at right time for Cardinals |work=Yahoo! Sports |date=July 16, 2016 |access-date=August 6, 2016}}</ref>

Wainwright pitched a three-hit, complete-game shutout and 5−0 win against [[2016 Miami Marlins season|Miami]] on July 15, 2016; the first hit he allowed was a double to [[Adeiny Hechavarria]] in the sixth inning.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Frisaro |first1=Joe |last2=Krueger |first2=Nick |url=http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/189971960/cardinals-adam-wainwright-shuts-out-marlins/ |title=Vintage Waino tosses 3-hit shutout vs. Miami |work=m.Cardinals.MLB.com |date=July 16, 2016 |access-date=July 16, 2016 |archive-date=July 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160718144025/http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/189971960/cardinals-adam-wainwright-shuts-out-marlins/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> With four RBI against [[2016 Colorado Rockies season|Colorado]] on September 20, Wainwright increased his season total to 18, the highest total for all pitchers in the [[designated hitter]] era – since 1973 – and the most since [[Ferguson Jenkins]] drove in 20 for the Cubs in [[1971 Chicago Cubs season|1971]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Axisa |first=Mike |url=http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/cardinals-adam-wainwright-may-be-most-productive-hitting-pitcher-in-45-years/ |title=Cardinals' Adam Wainwright may be most productive hitting pitcher in 45 years: Wainwright has 18 RBI, most by any pitcher since the DH was introduced |work=CBSSports.com |date=September 21, 2016 |access-date=September 21, 2016}}</ref>

====2017====
On April 21, [[2017 St. Louis Cardinals season|2017]], Wainwright struck out nine and hit a home run with four RBI as the Cardinals defeated the [[2017 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee Brewers]], 6−3.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gruman |first1=Andrew |title=Wainwright helps own cause, strikes out 9 |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/cards-adam-wainwright-has-four-rbis-vs-crew-c225676066 |work=MLB.com |date=April 21, 2017 |access-date=April 21, 2017 |archive-date=April 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170423063547/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/225676066/cards-adam-wainwright-has-four-rbis-vs-crew/ |url-status=live }}</ref> His May 27 appearance was the 330th of his career, tying him with [[Larry Jackson (baseball)|Larry Jackson]] (1955−1962) for tenth place in games pitched for the Cardinals.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=Cardinals |author-link=St. Louis Cardinals |number=868595180063948803 |title=With his start tonight, @UncleCharlie50 will tie Larry Jackson (1955-62) for tenth on the #STLCards all-time games pitched list (330). |date=May 27, 2017}}</ref> while passing [[Al Hrabosky]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/leaders_pitch_50.shtml |title=St. Louis Cardinals top 50 career pitching leaders ("Games Played") |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=May 27, 2017}}</ref> Wainwright pitched six scoreless innings versus [[2017 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Los Angeles]] on June 1, while hitting a two-run home run facing [[Brandon McCarthy]], for a 2−0 win.<ref name=mearns110917>{{cite news |last=Mearns |first=Andrew |url=https://www.mlb.com/cut4/adam-wainwright-wins-silver-slugger-c261157854 |title=Adam Wainwright crowned king of #PitchersWhoRake in 2017 with Silver Slugger |work=MLB.com |date=November 9, 2017}}</ref>
[[File:Adam wainwright in 2016.png|thumb|left|Adam wainwright on the mound in St.Louis.]]

On July 17, he passed [[Bill Doak]] for fifth place in wins (145) for the Cardinals.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=Cardinals |author-link=St. Louis Cardinals |number=887409163671875587 |title=@UncleCharlie50 (Wainwright) moves into sole possession of fifth place on Cardinals all-time win list |date=July 18, 2017}}</ref> On the same day, Wainwright became the only active major league pitcher with multiple seasons of 10+ RBI (2016–17).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/242693018/adam-wainwright-big-6th-lead-cards-over-mets |title=6 in the Citi: Big inning powers Cards in NY |work=MLB.com |date=July 18, 2017 |access-date=July 18, 2017 |archive-date=July 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170718061548/http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/242693018/adam-wainwright-big-6th-lead-cards-over-mets/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The Cardinals placed Wainwright on the 10-day DL on July 25 due to mid-back tightness, retroactive to July 23. It was the fourth time in his career that he had been placed on the DL.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cardinals place Wainwright (back) on DL |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/cardinals-adam-wainwright-placed-on-10-day-dl-c244396830 |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref> Wainwright was activated from the DL on August 6, and totaled 11 innings in three starts. On August 18, the Cardinals placed him back on the DL for right elbow impingement.<ref>{{cite news |author=ESPN.com News Services |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/20380977/st-louis-cardinals-place-adam-wainwright-10-day-disabled-list-right-elbow-impingement |title=Adam Wainwright heads back to the DL with elbow impingement |work=ESPN.com |date=August 18, 2017 |access-date=November 12, 2017}}</ref> Wainwright reported pain in his right elbow for the second consecutive season and displayed a precipitous decline in velocity in his most recent starts. Treatments on the right elbow that Wainwright received during the season included trimming cartilage and an injection of [[platelet-rich plasma]] into the joint. In 23 games he had started, he allowed a 5.12 ERA with a 12−5 W−L record. Wainwright returned to pitch on September 18 from the bullpen for the remainder of the season.<ref>{{cite news |last=Goold |first=Derrick |url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/wainwright-joins-bullpen-unlikely-to-start-again-this-season/article_d4fec574-ee88-55e3-95a4-331aee6eac46.html |title=Wainwright joins bullpen, unlikely to start again this season |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=September 17, 2017 |access-date=November 12, 2017}}</ref>

In 2017, Wainwright won his first career [[Silver Slugger Award]], the first Cardinal pitcher to win the award since [[Bob Forsch]] (1980 and 1987) and [[Jason Marquis]] (2005).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com/midwest/story/st-louis-cardinals-adam-wainwright-wins-first-silver-slugger-award-111017|title=Wainwright wins first Silver Slugger Award|first=FOX Sports|last=Midwest|date=November 10, 2017|website=FOX Sports}}</ref> He batted .262/.279/.452, a career-high .731 OPS, and two home runs. Wainwright led all pitchers with seven runs scored and 11 RBI, and, among all with at least 40 plate appearances, in slugging percentage and OPS. He also hit .462 with runners in [[scoring position]].<ref name=mearns110917/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/261148406/cardinals-adam-wainwright-wins-silver-slugger/?topicId=27118406 |title=Wainwright wins first Silver Slugger Award |work=MLB.com |date=November 9, 2017 |access-date=November 10, 2017 |archive-date=November 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110114857/http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/261148406/cardinals-adam-wainwright-wins-silver-slugger/?topicId=27118406 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

After the season, Wainwright underwent right elbow surgery to remove a cartilage flap, the first surgery on the elbow since having Tommy John surgery in 2011. The cartilage flap was believed to have caused a bone bruise which led to reduced velocity and efficacy of his breaking pitches. Recovery time was expected to take six weeks with full readiness in time for the 2018 season.<ref>{{cite news |author=ESPN.com News Services |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/20894672/adam-wainwright-st-louis-cardinals-undergo-elbow-surgery-tuesday |title=Adam Wainwright to have elbow surgery, will be ready for 2018 |work=ESPN.com |date=October 2, 2017 |access-date=November 12, 2017}}</ref>

====2018====
Wainwright began the 2018 season on the 10-day [[disabled list]] with a left hamstring sprain. He was reactivated on April 5 but placed on the disabled list again with right elbow inflammation on April 22. Wainwright was activated once again on May 13 and started that same day against the [[San Diego Padres]]. He gave up two runs and walked six batters in {{frac|2|1|3}} innings as San Diego beat St. Louis 5–3. Two days later, Wainwright was placed back on the 10-day DL before being transferred to the 60-day DL on May 17.<ref name="DL60day">{{cite web |title=Wainwright shifted to 60-day DL due to elbow |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/23531822/adam-wainwright-st-louis-cardinals-shifted-60-day-dl-carson-kelly-10-day-dl |publisher=ESPN |language=en |date=May 17, 2018}}</ref>

====2019====
Wainwright signed a one-year, $2 million contract extension with the Cardinals prior to the 2019 offseason. On April 24, 2019, Wainwright picked up his 150th win in a 5–2 victory against the Brewers. Over 31 starts during the regular season, he went 14–10 with a 4.19 ERA, striking out 153 over {{frac|171|2|3}} innings. In the [[2019 MLB postseason]], Wainwright struck out 19 over {{frac|16|2|3}} innings and had a 1.62 ERA.

====2020====
On November 12, 2019, Wainwright and the Cardinals agreed to a one-year contract for the 2020 season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/28065094/cardinals-adam-wainwright-reach-one-year-deal|title=Cardinals bring back Wainwright on 1-year deal|date=November 12, 2019|website=ESPN.com}}</ref> On his 39th birthday, Wainwright pitched his first complete game since 2016 against the [[Cleveland Indians]] in a 7–2 win.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/401226197|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430080745/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/401226197|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 30, 2021|title=Indians vs. Cardinals - Game Recap - August 30, 2020 - ESPN|website=ESPN.com}}</ref> He pitched a second, albeit 7-inning complete game against the [[Milwaukee Brewers]] on September 16.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/game/_/gameId/401226416|title=Cardinals vs. Brewers - Game Summary - September 16, 2020 - ESPN|website=ESPN.com}}</ref> Over 10 starts for the 2020 season, Wainwright went 5–3 with a 3.15 ERA and 54 strikeouts over {{frac|65|2|3}} innings.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/benjamin-hochman/hochman-adam-wainwright-would-bring-assurance-and-insurance-to-the-2021-cardinals/article_d6e8e3b4-d9b1-58e1-9cdc-b59b3e1939fb.html|title=Hochman: Adam Wainwright would bring assurance and insurance to the 2021 Cardinals|first=Benjamin|last=Hochman|website=STLtoday.com|date=January 19, 2021 }}</ref>

====2021====
On January 28, 2021, Wainwright signed a one-year, $8 million contract to stay with the [[St. Louis Cardinals|Cardinals]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Rogers|first=Anne|date=January 28, 2021|title=Waino, Cards agree on 1-year deal (sources)|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/adam-wainwright-deal-with-cardinals|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129023643/https://www.mlb.com/news/adam-wainwright-deal-with-cardinals |archive-date=January 29, 2021 |access-date=January 29, 2021|website=MLB Official Website}}</ref> On April 26, Wainwright pitched a complete game against the [[Philadelphia Phillies]] in a 2–1 loss as [[Rhys Hoskins]] hit two solo home runs off him.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/401227388|title=Phillies vs. Cardinals - Game Recap - April 26, 2021 - ESPN|website=ESPN.com}}</ref> It was the second such occurrence in his career to pitch a 9-inning complete game and lose since a 2–1 loss to the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] in 2007.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1386865978886197249|user=katiejwoo|title=Nolan Arenado came a few feet from...|date=April 27, 2021}}</ref>

Wainwright picked up his first win of the season in a 6–5 win over the [[New York Mets]] on May 3, while also picking up his 1,000th career strikeout at [[Busch Stadium]]; joining [[Bob Gibson]] as the only Cardinals pitchers with 1,000 strikeouts at their home ballparks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/401227478|title=Mets vs. Cardinals - Game Recap - May 3, 2021 - ESPN|website=ESPN.com}}</ref> On June 14, Wainwright picked up his 1,900th strikeout against the [[Miami Marlins]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/video/adam-wainwright-s-1900th-strikeout|title=Adam Wainwright's 1,900th K &#124; 06/14/2021|website=MLB.com}}</ref> On [[Father's Day]], June 20, he pitched his second complete game of the year, albeit 7 innings in the first game of a doubleheader against the [[Atlanta Braves]]; striking out 11 while allowing just one run.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/adam-wainwright-strikes-out-11-in-7-inning-complete-game|title=Waino celebrates GA return with 11 K's in G1|website=MLB.com}}</ref> On August 10, Wainwright pitched his first shutout since 2016, and his first ever [[Maddux (statistic)|Maddux]] against the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] at [[PNC Park]] in a 4–0 Cardinals win, throwing 88 pitches. At 39, he became the oldest pitcher to record a shutout since [[Bartolo Colón]] in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2021/8/11/22621002/waino-throws-a-maddux-in-4-0-win-over-pirates|title=Waino Throws a Maddux in 4-0 Win Over Pirates|first=Derek|last=Barthels|date=August 11, 2021|website=Viva El Birdos}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|number=1425642694345428997|user=ESPNStatsInfo|title=Adam Wainwright (39 years old) is the oldest pitcher to throw a shutout since a 42-year-old Bartolo Colón did it in…<!-- full text of tweet that Twitter returned to the bot (excluding links) added by TweetCiteBot. This may be better truncated or may need expanding (TW limits responses to 140 characters) or case changes. --> |date=August 12, 2021}}</ref> He was subsequently named National League Pitcher of the Month for August after going 5–1 with a 1.45 ERA, striking out 36 while walking just six over 44 innings.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1433546884505874434|user=Cardinals|title=Our guy @UncleCharlie50 is the NL Pitcher of the Month for August!<!-- full text of tweet that Twitter returned to the bot (excluding links) added by TweetCiteBot. This may be better truncated or may need expanding (TW limits responses to 140 characters) or case changes. --> |date=September 2, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=wainwad01&t=p&year=2021|title=Adam Wainwright 2021 Pitching Game Logs|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref> On September 3, Wainwright started against the Brewers with battery mate [[Yadier Molina]], marking their 300th start as a [[Battery (baseball)|battery]]. They are the fourth battery in MLB history to make 300 starts. The Cardinals won the game 15–4, with Wainwright picking up the win.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Yadi, Waino key win in 300th start together|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/yadier-molina-adam-wainwright-start-300th-game-in-win|access-date=September 7, 2021|website=MLB.com|language=en}}</ref> While facing the [[Milwaukee Brewers]] on September 23, Wainwright recorded his 2,000th career strikeout against [[Luis Urías]]. Wainwright became the second pitcher in franchise history alongside [[Bob Gibson]] to reach the milestone.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Herrera |first1=Ryan |title=Waino pads standout résumé with 2,000th K |url=https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/news/adam-wainwright-2-000th-career-strikeout |access-date=September 23, 2021 |work=MLB.com |date=September 23, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Adam Wainwright reaches 2,000 career strikeouts |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/32264632/st-louis-cardinals-right-hander-adam-wainwright-reaches-2000-career-strikeouts |access-date=September 23, 2021 |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com |date=September 23, 2021}}</ref>

On October 1, the Cardinals and Wainwright agreed on a one-year deal for the 2022 season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/cardinals-adam-wainwright-will-return-to-st-louis-in-2022-for-17th-season/|title=Cardinals' Adam Wainwright will return to St. Louis in 2022 for 17th season|website=CBSSports.com|date=October 2, 2021 }}</ref>

Statistically for 2021, Wainwright had his best season since 2014, going 17–7 with a 3.05 ERA and 174 strikeouts in {{frac|206|1|3}} innings.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wainwad01.shtml|title=Adam Wainwright Stats|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref> Wainwright was second in MLB in wins (17), third in innings pitched ({{frac|206|1|3}}), tied for first in complete games (3) and tenth in walks and hits per inning pitched (1.057).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/majors/2021-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=2021 Major League Baseball Pitching Leaders|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref> He led the major leagues in sacrifice hits, with 14.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=0&season=2021&month=0&season1=2021&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2021-01-01&enddate=2021-12-31&sort=18,d|title=Major League Leaderboards » 2021 » Batters » Standard Statistics &#124; FanGraphs Baseball|website=www.fangraphs.com}}</ref>

Wainwright finished seventh in the 2021 NL [[Cy Young Award]] voting.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bbwaa.com/21-nl-cy/|title=Brewers' Corbin Burnes wins tight Cy Young race – BBWAA}}</ref>

====2022====
On October 4, 2021, Wainwright and the Cardinals agreed to a one-year, $17.5 million deal for the 2022 season <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/32338228/report-adam-wainwright-deal-st-louis-cardinals-2022-worth-175-million-more-double-2021-salary|title = Report: Wainwright deal for 2022 worth $17.5M|date = October 4, 2021}}</ref>

On April 7, 2022, Wainwright won his 100th game at [[Busch Stadium]] on [[Opening Day]] in a 9–0 win against the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]], pitching six shutout innings with six strikeouts.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1512211881179684873|user=Ben_Fred|title=This was Adam Wainwright's 100th win at Busch Stadium III #STLCards|date=April 7, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=401421332|title = Pirates vs. Cardinals - Game Recap - April 7, 2022 - ESPN}}</ref> On May 15, 2022, Wainwright and Molina made history claiming their 203rd win together, becoming the most successful battery in MLB history.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/adam-wainwright-yadier-molina-set-battery-wins-record | title=Waino, Yadi set wins record as Cards erupt | website=[[MLB.com]] }}</ref> Later that season on September 14, Wainwright and Molina set another MLB record by starting alongside one another for the 325th time, surpassing [[Mickey Lolich]] and [[Bill Freehan]] of the [[Detroit Tigers]] for the most starts by a battery.<ref name="j370">{{cite web | last=Denton | first=John | title=Adam Wainwright, Yadier Molina set battery wins record | website=MLB.com | date=2022-05-16 | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/adam-wainwright-yadier-molina-set-battery-wins-record | access-date=2025-01-17}}</ref> 

In November 2022, it was announced that Wainwright intended to represent Team USA in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.<ref name="x892">{{cite web | last=Clair | first=Michael | title=Nestor Cortes and Adam Wainwright commit to Team USA | website=MLB.com | date=2022-11-29 | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/nestor-cortes-and-adam-wainwright-commit-to-team-usa | access-date=2025-01-17}}</ref>

====2023====
Wainwright announced that the 2023 season would be his last. On March 30, Wainwright sang the national anthem before the opening day game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/adam-wainwright-sings-national-anthem-on-opening-day|title=Waino hits anthem goal: 'I didn't mess the words up'
|author=John Denton|date=March 30, 2023|publisher=MLB}}</ref> In 21 starts for the Cardinals, Wainwright struggled to a 5–11 record and 7.40 ERA with 55 strikeouts in 101.0 innings of work.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cardinals' Adam Wainwright 'at peace' with retirement choice|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/38499407/cardinals-adam-wainwright-peace-retirement-choice|access-date=September 28, 2023|website=[[ESPN]]| date=September 26, 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

On September 18, pitching at home against the division-leading [[2023 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee Brewers]], he won his 200th game, 1-0, pitching seven scoreless innings, giving up only four hits, walking two, striking out three. His 2,202 career strikeouts make him the 66th pitcher to have at least 2,200 strikeouts. His 200 wins make him the 122nd pitcher in baseball history to reach that milestone. His 200 wins, all with the Cardinals, rank him third in the team's history, joining [[Bob Gibson]] (251) and [[Jesse Haines]] (210).<ref name=200-wins />

At home on September 29, he batted for the first time since October 6, [[2021 St. Louis Cardinals season|2021]]. In the sixth inning with the team trailing 14-2, he pinch-hit for [[designated hitter]] [[Luken Baker]]. On the second pitch, he grounded out sharply to second base. It was his only at-bat that night. 

Over his career, he had 10 home runs, 75 RBIs, and a .192 batting average. He has five seasons batting over .200.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/professional/mlb/cardinals/cardinals-veteran-adam-wainwright-turned-a-grounder-into-a-showstopper-at-busch-stadium/article_08dc7386-5ee6-11ee-8114-23addef63dcc.html |title=Cardinals veteran Adam Wainwright turned a grounder into a showstopper at Busch Stadium |first=Lynn |last=Worthy |work=[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]] |date=September 30, 2023}}</ref> Defensively, he recorded a .982 [[fielding percentage]], with only 10 errors in 569 [[total chances]], which was 26 points higher than the league average at his position.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://baseball-reference.com/players/w/wainwad01.shtml|title=Adam Wainwright Career Statistics at Baseball Reference|website=baseball-reference.com|accessdate= November 28, 2023}}</ref>

===Annual statistical achievements===
<small>Notes: ''Through 2019 season. Per [[Baseball-Reference.com]].''</small>
{|class="wikitable" margin: 5px; text-align: center;
|+ '''National League statistical leader'''
|-
!Category
!{{Tooltip|Times|Number of times achieved}}
!Dates
|-
| [[Complete game]]s leader
|align="center"| 2
|align="center"| 2013, 2021
|-
| [[Home runs per nine innings]] allowed leader
|align="center"| 1
|align="center"| 2014
|-
| [[Innings pitched]] leader
|align="center"| 2
|align="center"| 2009, 2013
|-
| [[List of Major League Baseball annual shutout leaders|Shutouts leader]]
|align="center"| 2
|align="center"| 2013, 2014
|-
| [[List of Major League Baseball annual wins leaders|Wins champion]]
|align="center"| 2
|align="center"| 2009, 2013
|-
|}

==Pitching style==
[[File:WainwrightMotion2016.jpg|thumb|right|650px|Wainwright's pitching motion, 2016]]
Wainwright has a [[sinkerball]], throwing it in the {{convert|90|-|92|mph}} range. He also throws a good deal of [[cut fastball|cutters]] {{convert|84|-|88|mph}} and [[curveball]]s {{convert|73|-|77|mph}} that have dropped more than 8 inches before from top to bottom of the pitch. Less commonly, he also throws a [[four-seam fastball]] {{convert|90|-|95|mph}} and an {{convert|84|-|86|mph}} [[changeup]]. He uses all of his pitches against left-handed hitters, but he does not use the changeup against right-handers. Wainwright's most-used pitch in two-strike counts is his curveball.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://brooksbaseball.net/player_cards/player_card.php?player=425794|title=PITCHf/x Player Card: Adam Wainwright|publisher=Brooks Baseball|access-date=May 17, 2012}}</ref>

In spring training of 2013, he started incorporating an elevated four-seam fastball, making his curveball more effective.<ref name="endstreak" />

==Discography==
===Studio albums===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
! rowspan="2" style="width:8em;"| Title
! rowspan="2" style="width:18em;"| Details
! colspan="2"| Peak chart positions
! rowspan="2"| Sales
! rowspan="2" style="width:11em;"| [[List of music recording certifications|Certifications]]
|- style="font-size:smaller;"
! style="width:4em;"| [[Billboard 200|US]]
! style="width:4em;"| [[Canadian Albums Chart|CAN]]
|-
! scope="row"| ''Hey Y'all''<ref>{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Kevin C. |title=Adam Wainwright's debut country album is the story of his life. 'I have so much to tell.' |url=https://tucson.com/life-entertainment/nation-world/music/cardinals-pitcher-adam-wainwright-country-album/article_0781f368-db5f-58e0-8ef1-1c2459f0aa11.html |access-date=8 April 2024 |agency=Arizona Daily Star |publisher=St. Louis Post-Dispatch}}</ref>
|
* Release date: April 5, 2024
* Label: in:ciite
* Formats: [[Compact disc|CD]], vinyl, [[Music download|download]]
| - || -
|
|
|}

===Singles===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:14em;"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:1em;"| Year
! colspan="2" scope="col" | Peak chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| [[List of music recording certifications|Certifications]]
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:14em;"| Album
|-
! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"| [[Billboard Hot 100|US]]
! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"| [[Canadian Hot 100|CAN]]
|-
! scope="row"| "Time to Fly"
| 2023
| — || —
|
| 
|-
! scope="row"| "Hey Y'all"
| 2024
| — || —
|
| ''Hey Y'all''
|-
! scope="row"| "A Song Will Bring You Back"
| 2024
| — || —
|
| ''Hey Y'all''
|}
{{small|"—" denotes a release that did not chart.}}

==Outside baseball==

===Big League Impact===
A [[Fantasy Football (American)|fantasy football]] enthusiast, Wainwright created and hosts a fantasy football network in eight cities called Big League Impact, designed to raise money for various charities. In 2015, the organization raised more than $1 million total. Other major leaguers, including [[David Wright]], [[Hunter Pence]], and [[John Smoltz]] host in their respective cities.<ref>{{cite news |last=Iyer |first=Vinnie |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/news/adam-wainwright-cardinals-fantasy-football-advice-sleepers-atlanta-falcons-michael-vick/swu7di9k00821pzb9p89zf1hp |title=Adam Wainwright is a true ace — when it comes to fantasy football |work=The [[Sporting News]] |date=August 5, 2016 |access-date=August 6, 2016}}</ref>

The concept officially opened in July 2013 with the launch of a website called WainosWorld.com. In an interview with [[Fox Sports Midwest]], Wainwright remarked that the program combined his love of fantasy football with his passion for helping the less fortunate. For a registration fee, all of which goes to charity, fans can assemble their own fantasy team and compete throughout the season against not only Wainwright but his current and former Cardinals teammates [[Allen Craig]], [[David Freese]], and [[Matt Holliday]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rtsports.com/the-fantasy-football-experience|title=Waino's World of Fantasy Football Charity Event|publisher=Waino's World Inc. via RealTime Fantasy Sports Inc. website|year=2013|access-date=August 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130809070153/http://www.rtsports.com/the-fantasy-football-experience|archive-date=August 9, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Those with the best team records at season's end will receive prizes.<ref>{{cite web |last=Langosch |first=Jenifer |url= http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130729&content_id=55166214&notebook_id=55166398&c_id=stl|title=Waino launches fantasy football league for charity|publisher= MLB.com via St. Louis Cardinals official website |date=July 30, 2013 |access-date=August 1, 2013}}</ref> The league raised $100,000 in 2013 and supported Operation Food Search and [[Water Missions International]].<ref name=mlbcombio/>

Wainwright was the recipient of the 2020 [[Roberto Clemente Award]] due to his work with Big League Impact alongside his contributions in helping build Haiti's Ferrier Village Secondary School.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-12-07 |title=Wainwright wins MLB's Roberto Clemente Award |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/30470961/adam-wainwright-wins-mlb-roberto-clemente-award |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref>

===As an actor===
With longtime aspirations to host an episode of ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'', Wainwright made his [[film]] debut in the 2016 [[comedy-drama]] ''Proximity'', directed by Dan Steadman and filmed in the St. Louis area. The majority of the work done was completed in 2015, after the opportunity presented to Wainwright due in part to the Achilles tendon injury he had suffered early in the season.<ref>{{cite news |author=Fox Sports Midwest |url=https://www.foxsports.com/midwest/story/lights-camera-waino-cardinals-ace-adam-wainwright-makes-film-debut-in-proximity-090116 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161108161728/https://www.foxsports.com/midwest/story/lights-camera-waino-cardinals-ace-adam-wainwright-makes-film-debut-in-proximity-090116 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 8, 2016 |title=Lights, camera, Waino! Cardinals ace makes film debut in 'Proximity' |work=Fox Sports Midwest |date=September 1, 2016 |access-date=February 20, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Schremp Hahn |first=Valerie |url=https://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/movies/q-a-adam-wainwright-makes-his-big-screen-acting-debut/article_c200d479-144b-59ab-8024-999c44b9b53b.html |title=Q&A: Adam Wainwright makes his big-screen acting debut in 'Proximity' |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=September 1, 2016 |access-date=September 6, 2016}}</ref>

===Broadcasting===
Adam Wainwright made his national TV broadcasting debut on October 6, 2020, calling the [[2020 National League Division Series|2020 NLDS]] between the [[Miami Marlins]] and [[Atlanta Braves]] on [[Fox Sports 1]] along with [[Adam Amin]] and former teammate [[A. J. Pierzynski]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rogers |first=Anne |date=October 5, 2020 |title=Wainwright to join NLDS broadcast on FS1 |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/adam-wainwright-on-fox-sports-1-broadcast |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2021-10-08 |title=Wainwright steps into FS1 broadcast booth for White Sox-Astros ALDS |url=https://fox2now.com/sports/st-louis-cardinals/wainwright-steps-into-fs1-broadcast-booth-for-white-sox-astros-alds/ |access-date=2024-03-31 |website=FOX 2 |language=en-US}}</ref> The trio worked together for the [[2021 American League Division Series|2021 ALDS]] between the Astros and the [[Chicago White Sox]]<ref name=":1" /> and again in the [[2023 American League Division Series|2023 ALDS]] between the [[Houston Astros]] and [[Minnesota Twins]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Caesar |first=Dan |date=2023-10-05 |title=Just-retired Cardinal Adam Wainwright to be analyst on Fox's Twins-Astros playoff telecasts |url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/column/media-views/just-retired-cardinal-adam-wainwright-to-be-analyst-on-foxs-twins-astros-playoff-telecasts/article_3c241fd8-5e36-11ee-a4b0-9beaa4f3cd68.html |access-date=2024-03-31 |website=STLtoday.com |language=en}}</ref> Prior to the [[2024 MLB season]], Wainwright was hired as a full time color commentator for [[MLB on Fox|Fox Sports]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Caesar|first=Dan|url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/column/media-views/former-cardinal-adam-wainwright-is-hired-to-analyze-mlb-games-for-fox-sports-media-views/article_2f187416-b58d-11ee-8aba-43ce9ea7c704.html|title=Former Cardinal Adam Wainwright to analyze MLB games for Fox Sports: Media Views|publisher=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|date=January 18, 2024|access-date=January 18, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sepe-Chepuru |first=Shanthi |date=January 18, 2024 |title=Wainwright joins FOX broadcast crew as full-time analyst |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/adam-wainwright-joins-fox-sports-as-mlb-analyst |access-date=2024-03-31 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref>

===Musician===
On March 30, 2023, Wainwright surprised his teammates by performing the [[national anthem]] prior to the Cardinals' home opener against the [[Toronto Blue Jays]]. After he accomplished his musical goal, he nervously admitted, "I didn't mess the words up."<ref name="l143">{{cite web | last=Denton | first=John | title=Adam Wainwright sings national anthem on Opening Day | website=MLB.com | date=2023-03-31 | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/adam-wainwright-sings-national-anthem-on-opening-day | access-date=2025-01-17}}</ref> Wainwright aspires to be a [[country music]] singer after his baseball career concludes; he held a concert in [[Springfield, Illinois]], in January 2023 for approximately 500 fans.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ballysports.com/midwest/news/st-louis-cardinals-adam-wainwright-country-concert-big-league-impact|title=Wainwright performs original country songs for crowd of 500 to benefit Big League Impact|date=January 18, 2023|website=www.ballysports.com}}</ref>

Wainwright has released three singles and one full-length album, ''Hey Y'all''. It which was originally scheduled to be released on March 9, 2024 when he made his [[Grand Ole Opry]] debut, but was officially released on April 5, 2024. <ref>{{cite news |last1=Schneider |first1=Joey |title=Adam Wainwright plans to release first studio album in February |url=https://fox2now.com/sports/st-louis-cardinals/adam-wainwright-plans-to-release-first-studio-album-in-february/ |access-date=21 February 2024 |publisher=FOX2NOW |date=20 December 2023}}</ref><ref name="e457">{{cite web | last=Harding | first=Amber | title=Adam Wainwright Makes Grand Ole Opry Debut, Teases New Country Music Album | publisher=OutKick | date=2024-03-11 | url=https://www.outkick.com/culture/adam-wainwright-grand-ole-opry-debut | access-date=2025-01-17}}</ref>

===Politics===
In May 2025, [[Public Policy Polling]], a polling firm affiliated with the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]], ran a poll in [[Missouri's 2nd congressional district]] gauging voters' interest in Wainwright relative to incumbent [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] Representative [[Ann Wagner]], suggesting he was being recruited to run in the [[2026 United States House of Representatives elections]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rubashkin |first1=Jacob |title=Missouri 2: Cardinal Pitcher Adam Wainwright Recruited to Challenge Ann Wagner |url=https://www.insideelections.com/news/article/missouri-2-cardinal-pitcher-adam-wainwright-recruited-to-challenge-ann-wagn |access-date=10 June 2025 |work=www.insideelections.com |date=June 9, 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

==Personal life==
[[File:Adam and Jenny Wainwright.png|thumb|right|Wainwright and his wife, Jenny, in 2022]]
Wainwright married his high school sweetheart, Jenny Curry, in 2004.<ref name=Action/> In a quirk of fate, he was in the midst of proposing to Curry in December 2003, when a telephone call interrupted him to inform him he'd been traded from the Braves to the Cardinals.<ref name=Jock/> Jenny holds a degree in interior design from [[Georgia Southern University]]. In the off-season, the Wainwrights reside on [[St. Simons Island, Georgia]], with their four daughters<ref>{{cite web|title=Adam Wainwright player page More Bio Info|url=http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/player/425794/adam-wainwright|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131009215711/http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/player/425794/adam-wainwright|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 9, 2013|website=mlb.com|access-date=January 24, 2017}}</ref> and a son, whom they adopted in 2019.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/birdland/we-ve-got-the-room-we-ve-got-the-love/article_ca48547b-f256-5b1f-a392-60ac2cd157f7.html|title='We've got the room. We've got the love.' After months of work and waiting, Wainwrights adopt a son|last=Goold|first=Derrick|author-link=Derrick Goold|date=April 26, 2019|website=[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]}}</ref> Wainwright has openly expressed his [[Christianity|Christian]] faith,<ref name=mlbcombio>{{cite web |url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=425794&c_id=stl#gameType=%27R%27&sectionType=career&statType=2&season=2014&level=%27ALL%27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819032035/http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=425794&c_id=stl#gameType=%27R%27&sectionType=career&statType=2&season=2014&level=%27ALL%27 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 19, 2010 |title=Adam Wainwright stats, video highlights, photos, bio |website=St. Louis Cardinals|publisher=MLB |access-date=July 13, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sharingthevictory.com/vsPrintPage.lsp?OriginalPageOID=B2A8DB4D-0F3E-45D4-9B79C98A0F15CEB8&METHOD=display&OBJECTID=B83C1495-25DF-413B-951A51710FED0C58|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008161641/http://www.sharingthevictory.com/vsPrintPage.lsp?OriginalPageOID=B2A8DB4D-0F3E-45D4-9B79C98A0F15CEB8&METHOD=display&OBJECTID=B83C1495-25DF-413B-951A51710FED0C58|url-status=dead|title=Sharing the Victory Magazine – vsItemDisplay<!-- Bot generated title -->|archive-date=October 8, 2007}}</ref> and is active in the [[Fellowship of Christian Athletes]].<ref name=Action/>

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography|Georgia (U.S. state)|Baseball}}
{{div col}}
* [[List of Major League Baseball career wins leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual shutout leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career putouts as a pitcher leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career strikeout leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball players who spent their entire career with one franchise]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball players with a home run in their first major league at bat]]
* [[List of St. Louis Cardinals team records]]
* [[List of World Series starting pitchers]]
* [[St. Louis Cardinals award winners and league leaders]]
{{div col end}}
{{clear}}

==References==

===Footnotes===
{{reflist|group=note}}

===Source notes===
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline}}
*{{wikiquote-inline}}
{{baseballstats|mlb=425794|br=w/wainwad01|fangraphs=2233|brm=wainwr001ada|retro=W/Pwaina001}}

{{s-start}}
{{S-ach}}
{{Succession box| before = [[Patrick Corbin]]<br /> [[Madison Bumgarner]]<br /> [[Walker Buehler]] | title = [[Major League Baseball Pitcher of the Month Award|National League Pitcher of the Month]]| years = June 2013<br /> September 2014<br /> August 2021 | after = [[Clayton Kershaw]]<br /> [[Gerrit Cole]]<br /> [[Max Fried]]}}
{{s-end}}

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{{2006 St. Louis Cardinals}}
{{St. Louis Cardinals Opening Day starting pitchers}}
{{United States roster 2023 World Baseball Classic}}
{{NL P Gold Glove Award}}
{{NL P Silver Slugger Award}}
{{NL wins champions}}
{{Roberto Clemente Award}}
{{Hutch Award}}
{{Atlanta Braves first-round draft picks}}
{{2000 MLB Draft}}
{{Major League Baseball on Fox}}
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[[Category:1981 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:2023 World Baseball Classic players]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Atlanta]]
[[Category:Danville Braves players]]
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[[Category:Major League Baseball broadcasters]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball pitchers]]
[[Category:Memphis Redbirds players]]
[[Category:Mesa Solar Sox players]]
[[Category:Myrtle Beach Pelicans players]]
[[Category:National League All-Stars]]
[[Category:Silver Slugger Award winners]]
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[[Category:National League (baseball) wins champions]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from St. Simons, Georgia]]
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[[Category:World Baseball Classic players of the United States]]