Adam Wainwright Signs Record Contract With St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that they have reached agreement with All-Star pitcher Adam Wainwright on a new five-year contract from 2014 through 2018. It is the largest contract in franchise history for a pitcher.

“Adam represents everything the Cardinals look for in a player,” stated Cardinals Chairman Bill DeWitt, Jr. “He is an elite pitcher with a tremendous work ethic, a great teammate and leader, and a winning, championship caliber player. He has the highest personal qualities and personifies the Cardinals tradition of excellence."

Wainwright, a two-time National League Cy Young Award finalist (2009 & 2010), owns a career mark of 80-48 with a 3.15 ERA since making his Major League debut with the Cardinals in 2005. During his rookie campaign in 2006, the 6 foot -7 inch right-hander quickly earned a prominent place in Cardinals lore by securing the final out in series-clinching wins against the Mets in the National League Championship Series and the Tigers in the World Series.

“Knowing that Adam Wainwright will be the centerpiece of our rotation for years to come is something that we are thrilled about for many reasons,” said Cardinals Senior Vice President/General Manager John Mozeliak. “Adam has certainly proven to be a true staff ace, and the leadership and mentoring that he provides will continue to be an invaluable asset to the organization.”

Wainwright, 31, enjoyed banner seasons in 2009 and 2010, posting a league-best 19 wins to lead the Cardinals to an N.L. Central title in 2009. He won a career-best 20 games in 2010 and finished 2^nd in the N.L. in ERA (2.42), earning his first All-Star selection.

Since becoming a full-time starter in 2007, Wainwright ranks 5^th among active pitchers in ERA (3.14) and he stands 10^th in both wins (78) and winning pct. (.624; 78-47) even though he missed the 2011 season due to elbow surgery. “Waino” is the career wins leader (44) at Busch Stadium III and he owns the 3^rd-best ERA (2.70) in stadium history. Adam is ranked among the Cardinals all-time top-10 career leaders in strikeouts (908-9^th) and winning pct. (.625-6^th).

The Georgia native won the Rawlings Gold Glove award in 2009 and he was voted by his teammates as the Darryl Kile award recipient in 2008.

Press Release Courtesy of St. Louis Cardinals Media Relations