Cardinals' Wainwright carrying chip on his shoulder in return from injury
Adam Wainwright missed most of the 2015 season for the St. Louis Cardinals due to a torn Achilles muscle. He was able to make a brief, late-season return coming from the bullpen, but in 2016 he is expected to be a full member of the rotation.
"I got a year off last year to get this wing rested up," Wainwright told the Bernie Show on 101 Sports in St. Louis. "I'm ready to rock. I just chugged a protein shake and I'm ready to go work out right now. My leg feels good. I'm feeling young again. I think motivationally, I've got so much motivation to work hard and be ready for spring training and the season."
While Wainwright seems amped to get back out on the mound for the Cardinals, he is carrying a chip on his shoulder out to prove naysayers wrong that he's on the decline.
"Just to prove (wrong) all these people that keep saying I'm getting old and eventually I'm going to go the other way (decline)," Wainwright said. "I read an article the other day and it was funny. It said 'Clearly Adam is on the downside of his career.' Well, other than popping the Achilles show me where that's true?"
Turning 35-years-old during the 2016 season, Wainwright feels he has plenty left in the tank to help the Cardinals give an encore to the team's 100-win season he mostly missed.
"I don't feel like I'm getting old. I'm still having a great time getting ready for each season, having a great time playing baseball, and I don't think that changes anytime soon," Wainwright said. "Listen, I'm here for the long haul. These Cardinal fans are stuck with me. And I can't wait to see what this young team can do."
