The revenge tour may have just begun for Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado.
After a rough 2024 season where he hit just 16 home runs, an offseason of trade buzz and making an unusual appearance against the Yankees in Spring Training, Arenado blasted a homer on Opening Day in St. Louis’ 5-3 win over the Twins.
The solo shot to left field gave the Cardinals an insurance run — but it meant much more to Arenado and the fans.
The fans at Busch Stadium went berserk, and Arenado greeted them for the curtain call.
“I wasn’t expecting the curtain call,” Arenado said postgame. “I’m actually surprised I got it. I don’t think I got one last year … Usually, they don’t do curtain calls if you hit one homer, but it was a big homer.”
The moment was a culmination of the fans’ support throughout the entire afternoon, beginning pregame where Arenado soaked up the moment.
“I took it all in, I usually don’t, but today I did,” Arenado said of the fanfare he received. “The way they cheered for me, it meant a lot to me and it got me motivated, and I was just fortunate to give them something to cheer about again.”
Last season was a major down year for Arenado, as the eight-time All Star and five-time Silver Slugger bashed his lowest home run total in a healthy season since his rookie campaign in 2013.
This led to plenty of trade talks in the offseason, including plenty of speculation sending him to the Bronx and another major one that would have shipped the 33-year-old to the Houston Astros had he not utilized his no-trade clause to halt it.
The Yankees still have questions at third base and a deal could still come, whether it be for Arenado or another established veteran to man the hot corner.
Oswaldo Cabrera started at third in the Yankees’ Opening Day win over the Brewers — going 1-for-3 with a run scored.
It’s just one game, but the Cardinals hope that this version of Arenado is back and here to stay.
“That was a pretty nice bow on it,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said of the home run. “This is a guy that’s worked really hard this offseason to come back and show what he’s capable of doing. That’s a big homer. It’s probably more meaningful than people think.”
