There’s nothing like returning to a place you once called home. Kolten Wong is no exception to that feeling, as the former St. Louis Cardinal — and current Milwaukee Brewer — got an emotional taste of his former home.
Thursday’s matchup between the Cardinals and Brewers was Wong’s first game against his former team. Wong played 852 games with the Cardinals from 2013 to 2020 before St. Louis declined his player option for the 2021 season, making him a free agent before the Brewers picked him up.
Before his first at-bat on Thursday, Wong was greeted by the Cardinals faithful with a standing ovation, one that clearly made him misty-eyed while at the plate.
Once a Cardinal, always a Cardinal. Kolten Wong gets a standing O before his first-at-bat as a visitor at Busch.
TV: Bally Sports Midwest
Stream: https://t.co/68lHu2kJ17#STLFLY #HomeOpener pic.twitter.com/RQwpDK6WRg— Bally Sports Midwest (@BallySportsMW) April 8, 2021
Was looking for video of this earlier: Kolten Wong batting with tears in his eyes in his return to St. Louis. Don't know that I've ever seen something like it. pic.twitter.com/NJnvK0B4Dw
— Drew Silva (@drewsilv) April 9, 2021
Wong’s emotional response to the standing ovation in a stadium he once called home is at once heartwarming and bittersweet. The 30-year-old second baseman did also have some fun at the expense of his former teammates before the game, tossing peanuts and overall having a good time during the lineup announcement.
Kolten Wong having a laugh throwing peanuts at a number of his former #STLCards teammates during the pre-game caravan pic.twitter.com/LvnVEu8lBr
— KMOXSports (@KMOXSports) April 8, 2021
Between the fun pregame shenanigans, his well-deserved standing ovation, and emotional at-bat, Wong’s St. Louis homecoming was surely a day to remember.
