ST. LOUIS (AP) — The cheers began for Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina as they walked in from the bullpen before the game, the St. Louis fans standing to salute them for all they’d accomplished together.
After the final out in a 4-1 victory over Milwaukee on Wednesday night, it was time for the Cardinals to shower the record-making duo with a clubhouse celebration.
Wainwright and Molina started together for the 325th time, the most by a battery in major league history. The duo eclipsed the regular-season mark of 324 held by the Detroit Tigers pair of Mickey Lolich and Bill Freehan from 1963-1975.
“Great feeling to be on top of that list,” Molina said. “And doing it with Waino, a great human being, it’s just amazing.”
Added Wainwright: “I don’t think anyone will break that record.”
Towels with the No. 325 were given out to fans as they entered Busch Stadium, and the ovations and tributes kept coming.
“The crowd was so awesome, making me get constant chills and tearing up,” Wainwright said.
“Usually when I get to the dugout after warming up, I’m very laser-focused on my approach to first batter,” he said. “But they were playing a video on the board and I thought, ‘you know, they’re probably not going to play any more cool videos while I’m pitching that I can really take in.’ So, I might as well enjoy it for a minute.”
Brewers leadoff man Christian Yelich got into the moment, too. The Milwaukee star stood absolutely still and made no attempt to swing at Wainwright’s first pitch, a called strike.
“They deserve that moment of respect,” Yelich said. “It was cool to see history. ”
The ball was taken out play, then Wainwright and Molina went to work at extending the Cardinals’ lead in the NL Central.
Wainwright and Molina…