St. Louis Cardinals: 10 top moments from 2022 regular season

The St. Louis Cardinals had many magical moments during the 2022 regular season. The team and fans alike are hoping for more magic throughout October. 

Under the leadership of first-year manager Oli Marmol, the Cardinals were built for success.

The team has the perfect blend of legendary veterans, seasoned players in their prime, and a group of youngsters primed to learn from the best to become the best. Even so, the Cardinals weren’t picked to do very well in 2022. Thank goodness the team doesn’t take what the talking heads say to heart.

Let’s look at the ten best moments from the 2022 regular season.

10. Cardinals clinch NL Central

Once the Cardinals took over sole possession of the first place in the NL Central in August, there was no looking back. The Cardinals simply laid on the gas.

The Cardinals ended their regular season with a 93-69 record. They were a full seven games ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers, who had a disappointing second half culminating in a collapse following the trade of their star closer Josh Hader.

While Milwaukee had collapsed, the Cardinals played their best baseball. The Cardinals were 22-7 in August. Follow that up with 15 wins in September, and there was no looking back for the Cardinals, who were getting help throughout their roster and pitching staff.

9. Rookies have a massive season for the Cardinals

Brendan Donovan wasn’t discussed much as a top prospect for the Cardinals. Donovan surprised Major League Baseball when the Cardinals called him up from the minors. He impressed fans and management so much that he never left.

Donovan can play multiple positions and can hit. A skill set the Cardinals desperately needed thanks to a slow start due to a lockout-shortened Spring Training.

Donovan hit .281/.394/.379 with an OPS of .773. In 126 games, he scored 21 doubles, a triple, five home runs, 45 RBI, and 64 runs

This season also brought the debuts of Nolan Gorman, Juan Yepez, and Matthew Liberatore.

In 89 games, Gorman hit .226/.300/.420 with an OPS of .720. He scored 13 doubles, 14 home runs, 35 RBI, and 44 runs. He had 103 strikeouts on the season, leading him to be optioned back to Memphis in September. Gorman is a top prospect in the Cardinals organization. He will use this off-season to work and improve.

Yepez had an up-and-down first season with the Cardinals with several injuries that threw him off track. Yepez hit .253/.296/.447 with an OPS of .743. In 76 games for the Cardinals, he had 13 doubles, 12 home runs, 27 runs, and 30 RBI.

Liberatore is another top prospect that made his debut in 2022. The lefty arm appeared in nine games for the Cardinals, seven of which were starts. He also had a hold in a relief appearance. He was 2-2 with a 5.97 ERA in 34.2 innings and 28 strikeouts.

8. Cardinals rookie Andre Pallante was a tremendous asset

Speaking of impressive rookies, Pallante broke camp with the St. Louis Cardinals. He was so impressive the Cardinals kept him around and used him in multiple roles.

In 47 games for the Cardinals, Pallante pitched a 3.17 ERA in 108 innings. He had 73 strikeouts. Pallante had a 6-5 record with 10 games starting for the Cardinals. He had nine holds in relief appearances. He had 73 strikeouts.

The righty just turned 24 years old and has the tenacity of a pitcher who has been around a while. Pallante made a great impression. Hopefully, he will be a starter for the Cardinals at some point, but for now, where ever the Cardinals use him, Pallante will be an excellent, dependable arm for the Cardinals for years to come.

7. Miles Mikolas has had an excellent season for the Cardinals

After an injury-shortened 2021 season, Mikolas proved healthy as he was probably the Cardinals’ most consistent starter during points of the season, even earning his second all-star game appearance representing the St. Louis Cardinals.

Mikolas pitched in 33 games for the Cardinals, starting 32. He was 12-13 with a 3.29 ERA. He had one complete game that was a play away from being a no-hitter for Mikolas. He pitched 202.1 innings. He had 153 strikeouts on the season.

Mikolas has proven to be an excellent innings eater for the Cardinals’ pitching staff which has been much needed down the stretch. Here’s hoping he has an excellent postseason for the Birds on the Bat.

6. Ryan Helsley stepping up as Cardinals closer

Hellz Bellz, indeed.

Helsley has been such an asset out of the bullpen the Cardinals have given him a whole experience to walk out to in his appearances at Busch Stadium. While the lights go red, AC/DC’s Hells Bells blasts, pumping Helsley and the Cardinals up for the ninth inning.

Helsley pitched in 54 games for the Cardinals in 2022, earning a 9-1 record with 19 saves and seven holds. He threw 64.2 innings, striking out 94 batters.

5. Trade deadline acquisitions come up huge for the Cardinals down the stretch

John Mozeliak, Cardinals president of baseball operations, turned some heads when he decided to trade popular Gold Glove centerfielder Harrison Bader to the New York Yankees for Jordan Montgomery.

After his first few starts, fans were over their shock and just appreciative of the stability their new lefty arm brought to a struggling starting rotation. Montgomery was complimentary of legendary Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina for helping him and Molina’s backup Andrew Knizner.

Montgomery threw in 11 games for the Cardinals, going 6-3 with a 3.11 ERA. He had one complete game shutout for the Cardinals. He tossed 63.2 innings and struck out 61 batters.

Montgomery will fit into the Cardinals’ postseason plans and will surely be a signature piece of the Cardinals’ rotation for years to come. This was a winning move for Mo.

Jose Quintana and Chris Stratton came to the Cardinals from the Pittsburgh Pirates for Johan Oviedo. Quintana and Stratton have each had big moments for the Cardinals.

Quintana had 12 starts for the Cardinals amassing a 3-2 record with a 2.01 ERA. He threw 62.2 innings and struck out 48 batters. Quintana should have a role in the Cardinals’ postseason plans. He will be fun to watch perform.

Appearing in 20 games for the Cardinals, Stratton had a record of 5-0 with a 2.78 ERA. He tossed 22.2 innings and struck out 23 batters. Impressive numbers. In the postseason, Stratton looks to have an essential role out of the Cardinals’ bullpen.

4.  Nolan Arenado is a St. Louis Cardinal with MVP cred

Nolan Arenado is a St. Louis Cardinal. And he continues to amaze fans around the league.

Arenado played 148 games for the Cardinals, hitting .293/358/.533 with an OPS of .891. He hit 42 doubles, 30 home runs, 73 runs scored, and 103 RBI. Arenado completed his seventh consecutive season with over 30 home runs and 100 RBI. And each night, he dazzles with spectacular plays at the hot corner.

To top things off, he got to play this season with his favorite baseball player, Albert Pujols. And, Arenado became a first-time father in August when his wife gave birth to their daughter, Levi. Arenado has quietly and professionally stood by and performed to the highest caliber next to teammates like Pujols, Yadier Molina, and Paul Goldschmidt.  He could be an MVP candidate. He will undoubtedly win another Gold Glove and should be considered for many other honors.

Arenado is just a tremendous athlete, and it’s fantastic to see what he can do at third base and the plate. After being on a team that won the NL Central, playing deep in the postseason was his next goal, and here’s hoping he has a fantastic postseason run.

Nolan Arenado is a St. Louis Cardinal. And don’t you forget it.

2. Cardinals legends Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright set MLB battery mate record

It’s going too be hard to imagine the Cardinals without Yadier Molina. It’s going to be hard to see Wainwright take the mound and not throw to Molina. They have been a vital battery to the Cardinals since 2006.

The 2022 season will be the final regular season for the battery pair as Molina is retiring after the Cardinals’ postseason run. So it’s quite the accomplishment that the two earned the all-time career battery starts this season with 328 starts. The pair passed the previous record of 324 held by Detroit Tigers battery mates Mickey Lolich and Bill Freehan. The two worked on their record between 1963-1975.

It is such a tremendous record, and it’s hard to imagine this will ever be approached.

Wainwright had a rough 2022 season with a record of 11-12 in 32 games pitched. He earned a 3.71 ERA over 191.2 innings pitched. He threw 143 strikeouts.  Wainwright does have a personal record he could set in 2023 if he does decide to return to the Cardinals. He is five wins away from 200 career victories with a 195-117 career record.

After some poor outings in September, Wainwright may have a minimal role in the Cardinals’ postseason run. He will be there because he is Adam Wainwright, but he may have a short leash after dealing with a “dead arm” for much of September. He never got through it enough to have successful games in that final month.

As for Molina, he will begin his managerial career once his postseason with the Cardinals concludes.  He will manage a team in Venezuela for the Winter League and will manage the Puerto Rico National Team in the World Baseball Classic.

For his career, Molina hit .277/.327/.399 with an OPS of 726. He played in 2,223 games as catcher for the Cardinals, the most by any catcher for one team. He was a nine-time Rawlings Gold Glove winner. He won the NL Platinum Glove four times. He appeared in two World Series Championships. Molina was a 10-time NL All-Star Catcher. And, he is one of the best defensive catchers you will ever see, having caught 378 runners attempting to steal a base off of him.

He has had a fantastic career. Legendary, even. Molina will need to be fitted for his Red Jacket as he will soon be a Cardinals Hall of Famer and an MLB Hall of Famer. He might even get himself a statue in front of Busch Stadium.

Here’s hoping Molina has an epic postseason for the Cardinals.

1. Albert Pujols contributing to Cardinals on the field and in the clubhouse

Cardinals fans are even happier than they thought they would be with the return of Albert Pujols with the St. Louis Cardinals.

It was nice to see Pujols return to the Cardinals to close his career where it started.  As the season continues, it has become a magical story, and Pujols has smashed several records fans previously only dreamed he could reach.

It has been excellent. And it’s great that he came home and did this proper send-off.

Pujols returned to the Cardinals to help the team win another championship as well as be a mentor to his teammates. He has completed so many steps toward his goal this season. He is beloved in the Cardinals clubhouse. He has made so many plays to help the Cardinals win. He is doing everything promised and then some.

In 109 games this season, Pujols hit .270/.345/.550 with an OPS of .895 with 24 home runs, 42 runs, and 68 RBIs. This added to some impressive career statistics this season. He has smashed 703 home runs for fourth all-time. He hit them off 458 different pitchers. And he’s hit them in 40 different ballparks around the majors. He has surpassed Babe Ruth with 2,218 career RBI. He is now second only to Hank Aaron.

Pujols is just a legend. Here’s hoping he grows that legend and has the most memorable, fantastic postseason run with the Cardinals. Pujols must also prepare to put on a Red Jacket as he will be a Cardinals and MLB Hall of Famer. It’s going to be fun!