Hoping to be the hero who helped the Cardinals win again last Saturday, Lars Nootbaar was instead intentionally walked in his first AB. Two innings later, he hit a clutch, go-ahead homer in the Cards come-from-behind win. Now, he hopes to make the club's lineup even more dynamic.
Called on to pinch-hit in a spot where the Cardinals trailed by a run and had the potential tying and go-ahead runners in scoring position, Lars Nootbaar allowed himself to briefly dream about possibly being the hero in just his second game following two surgeries and an arduous eight-month journey to get back to the big leagues.
Clearly not a fan of the Hollywood-like script that was playing out in real time last Saturday at Busch Stadium, Reds’ manager Terry Francona made the apt decision to intentionally walk Nootbaar and pour cold water on the potentially dramatic moment.
As it turns out, it might have been the perfect thing for a somewhat jittery Nootbaar, who went on to hit a go-ahead, game-winning two-run homer later in the day to cap off his storybook return to the Cardinals.
“I was kind of amped up going into the at bat – and Pedro (Pages) had a 2-0 count (before Nootbaar was called on to pinch hit) – so with the base open I had a feeling that’s what they were going to do,” Nootbaar said before being intentionally walked. “But there are benefits there, too. It eases you into the game, you’re on the bases running and you get a feel for the rhythm of the game. I wanted to see some pitches in that at bat and really sink my teeth into it, but being able to integrate into the game and play a little outfield, it helped me for that second at bat.”
Did it ever? After falling behind 0-2 in the count against Cincinnati left-hander Sam Moll, Nootbaar worked the count even before fouling off two more pitches. On the seventh pitch, Nootbaar got the hanging sweeper he was looking for and launched it 433 feet for what proved to be the game-winning homer in the Cardinals’ 6-5 victory over the Reds last Saturday.
“That one was so cool, especially coming in those moments when you don’t expect it after coming off the bench late in the game,” said Nootbaar, whose Cardinals will head into tonight’s series opener against the Mets riding a four-game winning streak. “To be able to get that second at bat (for the homer in the eighth inning), I can’t lie – that felt pretty cool.”
Nootbaar's nature fits right in with young, feisty Cards
Already a relentless and feisty team that has been one of the best stories in MLB this season, the Cardinals seemed to ramp up their energy even more with the return of the 28-year-old Nootbaar, who made his delayed MLB debut after undergoing double heel surgery last October and needing eight months to recover.
It came as little surprise that Nootbaar – the carefree type who has always been one of the most popular players in the Cards clubhouse because of his joking manner – fit right in with the young Cardinals. Hammering out two hits in Friday’s win and smashing the game-winning homer on Saturday only added to the festive, feel-good vibes around Nootbaar and the Cards.
“I have a ton of respect for what they have done around here with it being a young club and they’re having so much fun,” Nootbaar said of the Cardinals. “You can kind of see it through the TV that these guys have good energy and I just didn’t want to come in here and ruin it. I thought, personality-wise, I’d mix in fairly well with these guys. These guys are awesome and to be able to help them win some ball games, it’s been cool.”
Still working his way back into top shape, Nootbaar figures to be in the lineup several days a week – whether as the starting left fielder, the occasional center fielder or as a designated hitter. Nootbaar will likely slot into the lineup in the No. 5 spot, one that the team has tried to fill with Masyn Winn and Nolan Gorman throughout the season.
The Cards have worked in recent weeks to try and add more production to the bottom of their order to better feed a first four of JJ Wetherholt, Ivan Herrera, Alec Burleson and Jordan Walker. Jimmy Crooks was promoted from Triple-A to replace the struggling Pedro Pages as the team’s primary catcher, while Nathan Church’s promotion to replace Victor Scott II in center field will become official later Tuesday before the Cards face the Mets in Queens.
Nootbaar noted that when he made his MLB debut in 2021, the Cardinals had a veteran-laden clubhouse filled with the likes of Adam Wainwright, Yadier Molina, Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado. A year later, legendary slugger Alibert Pujols rejoined the club and launched a stirring run that allowed him to get to 703 career home runs.
Now, Nootbaar is one of the oldest players in the clubhouse along with relievers Ryne Stanek, JoJo Romero and Riley O’Brien and starting pitcher Dustin May. Now, there is a youthful exuberance coursing through the clubhouse, and Nootbaar is enjoying himself.
“It’s completely different than anything I’ve ever experienced in the big leagues,” Nootbaar said. “Not saying it’s good or bad, but it’s different. … The feeling in the clubhouse now is great, but also very different. Now, I’m the old man telling the kids to get off the front lawn. But it’s great and we’re having fun.”
Join the conversation
Remember to join our CARDINALS on ROUNDTABLE community, which is FREE! You can post your own thoughts, in text or video form, and you can engage with our Roundtable staff, as well as other CARDINALS fans. If prompted to download the Roundtable APP, that's free too!
