The revenge tour may just have begun for Cardinals' three-base player Nolan Arenado.
After a rough season in 2024 when he hit just 16 home runs, and after an unusual appearance against the Yankees in spring training, Arenado blows up Homer on the opening day when he won the St. Louis twins 5-3.
A solo shot to the field on the left insured the Cardinals, but that meant much more for Arenado and fans.
Bush Stadium fans went wild and Arenado welcomed them for a curtain call.
“I wasn't expecting a curtain call.” Arenado said after the match. “I'm surprised I actually got it. I don't think I got one last year. Usually, if you hit one homer, they don't do curtain calls, but it was a big homer.”
That moment was the culmination of fan support throughout the afternoon before the match when Arenado absorbed the moment.
“I took it all in, I don't usually, but I did that today,” Arenado said of the fanfare he received. “The way they cheered me on, it meant a lot to me and motivated me.
Last season was a major down year for Arenado as eight All-Stars and five Silver Sluggers in the healthy season beat his lowest home run totals since the 2013 rookie campaign.
This led to many trade talks during the offseason. This included another major argument that sent him to the Bronx and shipped the 33-year-old to the Houston Astros.
The Yankees still have questions on 3 base and there could be a deal coming, whether arenado or another established veteran to make a hot horn man.
Oswald Cabrera started third in an opening day victory over the Yankees brewer.
It's just one game, but the Cardinals hope this version of Arenado will come back and stay here.
“It was a pretty good bow,” Cardinals manager Oliver Malmol said of the home run. “This is the guy who worked really hard to come back this offseason and show him he can do. It's a big homer. It probably means more than people think.”
