Home opener traditions

Joe Puetz-USA TODAY Sports Later today, the Cardinals play their first game of the season at home in what is otherwise known as the home opener. The home opener is a capital b Big Deal in St. Louis. I can’t speak for other cities, but it almost functions as a regional holiday here. Some businesses will allow you to leave work early, maybe even encourage it, and you don’t need any excuse other than getting to see the home opener.

And today, what more appropriate pitcher to pitch in front of the fans for the first time since 2019 than Adam Wainwright. In his sixteenth season, Wainwright will be starting his fifth home opener. The reason that’s not higher is because back when he pitched on…