The former rising star still has love for the franchise’s rich history
The St. Louis Cardinals made some notable changes from last trade deadline through spring training, shedding ties with some important pieces in order to retool and climb back into contention.
Some of the players who were dealt were career-long Cardinals who — at one point — appeared to be on track to become staples of the organization.
One homegrown hurler certainly fit that bill after showing his Cy Young-caliber arm in his first couple of seasons in the big leagues — right-hander Jack Flaherty.
After finishing fourth in National League Cy Young voting in 2019, he started to decline and underperform the massive expectations set upon him by early career success.
The Cardinals traded him to the Baltimore Orioles at last year’s trade deadline and he’s since signed with the Detroit Tigers. Despite moving on, however, the former Cardinals starter decided to pay tribute to a franchise legend with his new number.
