Jack Flaherty Gets Emotional Talking About Adam Wainwright

With Adam Wainwright set to retire at the end of the 2023 season, his current St. Louis Cardinals teammates have been very vocal about what he means to them and to the franchise.

Jack Flaherty, who may also be in his final season with the Cardinals, understands what Wainwright means to the City of St. Louis and appreciates everything the veteran right-hander has done for the organization.

On Monday at the team’s annual “Winter Warmup,” Flaherty spoke about Wainwright and his desire to win for the two-time World Series champion.

The young right-hander also got a little choked up when talking about what Wainwright means to him personally, as a mentor and a friend.

An emotional Jack Flaherty discusses his bond with #STLCards teammate Adam Wainwright as the Cards hope to win it all in 2023, which is Waino’s last year (and Flaherty becomes a free agent at season’s end).

Video for @stltoday. pic.twitter.com/JHkeQuxvqU

— Benjamin Hochman (@hochman) January 16, 2023

The 27-year-old right-hander has been through a lot in the early stages of his career.

Since 2021, Flaherty has struggled to stay healthy, with shoulder and oblique injuries bogging him down.

Flaherty also lost one of his best friends in left-hander Tyler Skaggs, who passed away in 2019.

The right-hander mentioned that during that time, Wainwright was there to support him as he mourned the loss of his friend.

Flaherty was adamant that he was hoping to stay healthy and be present for the three-time All-Star’s final season in Major League Baseball, citing his disappointment for not being around to experience much of the farewell tour of Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina.

The right-hander went 2-1 in nine appearances with a 4.25 ERA.

But he made perfectly clear how grateful he is to have Wainwright as a teammate and friend, and is looking forward to experiencing one last run with the veteran ace.