Well, America might be going to hell in a handbasket (see: indictment of President Donald Trump) but at least Opening Day in the MLB is here. Unlike other professional sports leagues, it appears there’s still some ounce of patriotism that can be found in America’s pastime — so much so that St. Louis pitcher Adam Wainwright sang the Star-Spangled banner.
Introduced as an “up and coming St. Louis artist,” Wainwright belted out the National Anthem prior to the team’s home opener against the Toronto Blue Jays. Here’s Wainwright, who is known as “Uncle Charlie,” performing the tune:
Man I wish this guy was a Brave! pic.twitter.com/nr5HV6tefI
— David Cone (@davidadamcone) March 30, 2023
When Wainwright isn’t playing baseball, he is singing country music and performs to help raise money for his non-profit, “Big League Impact.”
The two-time World Series Champion has announced that this year will be his last in the MLB. He is also a three-time All-Star, a two-time Gold Glover, a Silver Slugger, and the 2020 Roberto Clemente Award winner.
Wainwright was a supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020 and endorsed his club’s decision to wear BLM tee shirts while citing his Christian faith, but was tolerant of others around the league who opted not to partake in the BLM protest.
For example, San Francisco Giants pitcher Sam Coonrod said that felt as a Christian, he only knelt before the Lord. When asked about his response to Coonrod’s statement, Wainwright gave a lengthy answer, but said he had “no problem with it.”
Here was Wainwright’s response when I asked about Giants pitcher Sam Coonrod, who said he felt as a Christian, he was unable to kneel before anyone but the Lord. pic.twitter.com/XlIwKiRKKN
— Jeff Jones (@jmjones) July 24, 2020
One may not agree with Wainwright’s stance towards BLM, but at least he tolerates those who disagree with him and loves the National Anthem enough to sing it. You can’t say that for many, perhaps most, supporters of the BLM movement.
Wainwright is expected to make his first start in the 2023 season next Thursday, April 7, against the Cincinnati Reds. At press time, the Cardinals and Blue Jays were tied 6-6 in the bottom of the seventh.
The views expressed in this piece are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.