To show support for their teammate making his return to St. Louis on Friday night, Red Sox players wore specially designed T-shirts featuring Willson Contreras’ No. 40 and a likeness of the nickname he acquired while playing for the Cardinals.

“Bowser, the nickname bestowed upon Contreras because of his stocky build and fiery nature, is a character and the main antagonist of Nintendo's Mario franchise. He is the arch-nemesis of Mario and the leader of the turtle-like Koopa race. It’s a nickname that Contreras embraced and he flashed a big smile on Friday when mention of the T-shirts were brought up.

“I think the first time I heard ‘Bowser’ was from (Cardinals’ catcher Pedro) Pages and then when I got here to Boston, Trevor Story started calling me Bowser,” Contreras said before ultimately glancing down at the cartoonish turtle that was decked out in a Red Sox jersey and holding a bat. “I asked him, ‘Who is Bowser?’ They explained it to me, and I liked it and I like the shirt. I don’t how any problem with it.”  

Contreras, 33, became a member of the Red Sox via a trade after spending the past three seasons with the Cardinals. Signed to a five-year, $87.5 million free-agent contract by the Cardinals to be the replacement at catcher for Yadier Molina, Contreras spent two injury-plagued seasons behind the plate before St. Lousi moved him to first base. That move not only kept Contreras in the lineup more, but it turned out to work well in the favor of a Cardinals club that was looking to replace Paul Goldschmidt at first base.

Contreras, who initially stressed that he had no intentions of leaving St. Louis following the 2025 season, said he came around to the idea of playing for the Red Sox following some research and some encouragement from former Boston baseball boss Chaim Bloom.

“When I got a call from (Cards president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom) and told me that it was Boston, I was like, ‘OK, cool,’ but I took my time to look at the (Red Sox) roster and I liked it. And I liked what (the Cardinals) got in return. I think it worked out the best for both sides and it’s showing.”

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said the thing that has been the most surprising about working with Contreras is how adept he is at playing first despite being there a relatively short amount of time. Contreras showed his skill over there in Friday’s first inning when he fielded a tapper off the bat of Alec Burleson and retreated into the grass to improve his angle on the throw to second base to retired Ivan Herrera.

“He’s a great first baseman, to be honest,” Boston manager Joey Cora said when asked what he’s learned about Contreras since managing him. “He’s not afraid to make throws and he starts that 3-6-1 and 3-6-3 double play and I haven’t seen someone as aggressive as him. He plays under the baseball and he’s always in tune with the game. We know the offensive profile, but at first, he’s been really good.”

Contreras and veteran right-handed pitcher Sonny Gray, who also went from St. Louis to Boston in a different offseason trade, had one former teammate after another come over to visit with them before Friday’s first game of the series. Also beloved by Cardinals fans because of his fiery disposition and gritty style of play, Contreras was given a standing ovation before his first at bat on Friday. Not only did he strike out looking, but he issued a challenge which was lost when replays showed the Dustin May pitch clipping the top of the strike zone.

“It feels good to come to a ballpark where you created a lot of relationships and it’s good to come to a ballpark where you know you’re going to get clean baseball,” said Contreras, who is still somewhat frustrated by hitting by Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff earlier in the week.

“I’m not sure if they are going to hate me or not (in St. Louis), but I don’t think that’s going to happen because I love them and we love each other. I think I left a whole group of friends to come to the other side.”        

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