ST. LOUIS – Back in Busch Stadium for the first time since winning the World Series in dramatic fashion over the Texas Rangers last October, the St. Louis Cardinals celebrated their improbable title Friday with an impressive pregame ceremony.
If only the champs' home opener against the rival Chicago Cubs could have been as impressive.
Making his first appearance in front of the home crowd in nearly 19 months, starter Adam Wainwright suffered one of the worst outings of his career as the Cubs spoiled the championship party with a 9-5 win in the series opener.
Taking the mound minutes after the Cardinals raised their N.L. best 11th World Series Championship banner, Wainwright allowed four runs in the first inning to dampen what was a festive and electric atmosphere.
"I felt disappointed for me but I felt more disappointed for all the fans that showed up today," Wainwright said. "I really felt like I didn't deliver what they came to see. I know that I will, but I didn't do it today, so I have regrets about that. I will be very good for this team, I just wasn't today."
In just his second shortest start in the big leagues, Wainwright tied a career high with eight earned runs. Seven came on two swings – a three-run homer by Ian Stewart in the first inning and a grand slam by Bryan LaHair in the third.
Wainwright allowed seven hits and walked two, suffering an unwanted outcome to his much anticipated return to Busch Stadium.
"Today was a horrible day," Wainwright said. "The times I did make good pitches, they found holes and they found lines and the times I didn't make good pitches, they hit them out.
"This is the worst game of my career, no doubt. … I have no excuses for you. There's really nothing that I can say, except that I am sorry to the Cardinal fans and that I will be better."
A possible hint at what was to eventually come during the game, a steady rain dampened the atmosphere around Busch Stadium for much of the morning and early afternoon. But the pregame celebration was more than worth the wait when it finally began about 90 minutes behind schedule.
In a ceremony that only a team with the history and tradition of the Cardinals could pull off, the home team paid tribute to their wonderful heritage while celebrating their recent championship at the same time.
The last four Commissioner's Trophies from the Cardinals' World Series Championships in 1967, 1982, 2006 and 2011 sat proudly at home plate after representatives from each team carried them onto the field.
Jim Edmonds and David Eckstein brought the 2006 trophy onto the field while recently retired manager Tony La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan had the honors for the 2011 group.
The Cardinals' seven living Hall of Famers – Ozzie Smith, Red Schoendienst, Lou Brock, Bob Gibson, Bruce Sutter, Whitey Herzog and Stan Musial – donned their traditional red sport coats and stood near the trophies at home plate.
"I thought it was great being able to be around so many Hall of Famers and great ballplayers," said newcomer Carlos Beltran, who experienced his first Opening Day in St. Louis. "It's always a highlight here. I think today was a great thing for me, being able to shake Stan Musial's hand and Bob Gibson. We had a chance to talk a little bit with them in Spring Training, but it was a great feeling."
As per the usual tradition on Opening Day in St. Louis, the 2012 Cardinals entered the field via a motorcade of Ford pickup trucks that circled the warming track and dropped them off at the red carpet behind home plate.
New manager Mike Matheny received loud cheers as he was introduced to the home crowd for the first time. He then shared a lengthy embrace with La Russa as the new skipper made his way through the assembly line of special honorees.
"It was great," Matheny said. "Anybody that wears this jersey and watches that opening ceremony, it's special, no question. It was certainly everything that we had expected.
"Even in the weather, the fans still showed up and were loud. There was a buzz all through the stadium and those are the kinds of things that make this Opening Day even more special than most."
The largest ovation belonged to hometown hero David Freese, who tied Game 6 with a memorable two-out triple before hitting a game-winning home run in the 11th inning. Clips of both were featured throughout Friday's game on the video board.
The family of U.S. Army Specialist Jeffrey L. White Jr. helped raise the Championship flag on a pole beyond the center field fence. White, who attended Game 7 of the World Series and had planned to be in attendance Friday, lost his life in combat during the offseason.
Also included in the pregame ceremonies were a bald eagle flight and flyover from a pair of F-16 jets that followed American Idol contestant Shannon Magrane's impressive rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner.
The only thing missing Friday was an appearance from the iconic Budweiser Clydesdales, who had to cancel their traditional Opening Day pregame lap due to the rain.
Well, that, and a usually good performance from Wainwright.
"It was a great day until I pitched," Wainwright said. "Even with the rain the crowd was still there and the ovation was still there. It was unbelievable. There was a great buzz in the air. Guys were tailgating under their tents when I pulled up. It was a pretty special day. What can I say? I stunk today."
