Since nothing can change without a first step, this story is part of our ongoing “First Steps” series, in which we highlight remarkable tales of men who changed their bodies, minds, and lives, emphasizing the initial steps they made to get there. Go here to read all the tales.
Adam Wainwright is a name that every Major League Baseball fan is familiar with. The then-25-year-old played the next 17 years of his career as a starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, winning two Gold Gloves, leading the league in wins twice, and being selected three times to the National League All Star team after making a big impression as the team’s closer as a rookie during the 2006 playoffs, helping them win a World Series.
In 2023, Wainwright shocked baseball fans by performing a powerful version of the national anthem prior to a game during his last season with the Cardinals. Given that Wainwright has subsequently undergone a significant job transition, this turned out to be a portent of things to come for the next stage of his life. Since his baseball career ended, Wainwright has performed twice at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, a country music landmark, and released his debut album, Hey Y’all, in April 2024.
Wainwright, who currently resides in St. Simons Island, Georgia, describes how he went about making the transition from baseball great to country singer below.
I always took my guitar with me when I traveled and went to spring training. I was in Florida in 2017 for [former Cardinals teammate] Matt Holliday’s spring training home. Every time he said, “Hey, Waino, bring your guitar over,” I would play and sing while the other eight or nine guitarists played and people made requests. These modest mini-concerts were held.
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