Adam Wainwright is simply full of surprises.
After the Cardinals ace was placed on the injured list following the World Baseball Classic, he made a shocking Opening Day appearance ... singing the national anthem at Busch Stadium.
Perhaps even more shockingly, it was GOOD.
It's a big year for country renditions of the anthem, after Chris Stapleton drew universal praise for his at State Farm Stadium for the Super Bowl.
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Seriously, who knew Wainwright had this talent?
Adam Wainwright just performed the National Anthem 🇺🇸🎶
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 30, 2023
Yes, you read that correctly.
(via @Sportsnet) pic.twitter.com/0ylI6sBMrR
Despite starting off a bit choppy, he really found his flow after, especially given that singing is not his profession.
MLB observers were extremely impressed with Wainwright's performance.
Adam Wainwright did a heck of the job with the national anthem. Pretty darn cool, not gonna lie. pic.twitter.com/12SXwVk4So
— Ryan Fagan (@ryanfagan) March 30, 2023
Adam Wainwright just… jumped out of the player line to sing the American national anthem.
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) March 30, 2023
What a moment in St. Louis history I’m witnessing. pic.twitter.com/tGGN2uRJMp
Adam Wainwright delivers … the National Anthem. #openingday #stlcards pic.twitter.com/8grugoNqek
— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) March 30, 2023
#STLCards RHP and future country music crooner Adam Wainwright just killed it while singing the National Anthem. pic.twitter.com/13lYa0f7gq
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) March 30, 2023
Adam Wainwright surprising everyone to sing the National Anthem is an all-time St. Louis Opening Day moment.
— Corey Miller (@corey_miller5) March 30, 2023
That was awesome.
Adam Wainwright singing the National Anthem was so cool. https://t.co/3wrH1zzeZV
— Dudley E. Dawson (@Dedsports) March 30, 2023
Put an Adam Wainwright statue in my yard.
— Joey Wagner (@mrwagner25) March 30, 2023
MORE: Adam Wainwright on IL to open season after groin injury at WBC
This comes directly after Wainwright represented the United States in the World Baseball Classic, so it's a fitting follow-up to his performance there. He was 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in eight innings.
We'll see if Wainwright has any other hidden talents as the year goes on. In the meantime, Cardinals fans will eagerly await his first start of the season as he recovers from a groin injury.
