Matt Adams is coming back to St. Louis.
This week, he’s signing a one-day contract with the Cardinals in a ceremonial move so he can officially retire with the team that first drafted him. It’s a fitting way for him to close out his career in the place he now considers home.
On Wednesday, the Cardinals will host events at Busch Stadium to honor Adams’ career and welcome him back to the ballpark where he gave fans an unforgettable October moment. Fans should probably count on the team showing his playoff home run against Clayton Kershaw more than a few times — maybe even a few dozen.
After 1,501 professional games, which included a National League pennant in 2013, a World Series title in 2019, and 122 major league home runs — including that unforgettable postseason blast against the Dodgers — Adams officially announced his retirement on social media late Sunday night.
In an interview with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Adams opened up about his decision and starting a new chapter in a game that’s already taken him so many places in pursuit of his dream.
“I love the game,” Adams said. “I feel like I still have a lot to offer this game. It’s going to be in a different capacity. I know that I could have a voice in coaching and managing and being able to be a mentor and help these guys reach whatever level they’re meant to reach.”
Adams last played in the majors with Colorado in 2021. Since then, he’s continued pursuing the game, playing independent ball with the Kansas City Monarchs, having a solid spring with the Washington Nationals, and hitting 17 homers across 102 games in 2023 for their Triple-A affiliate in Rochester, N.Y.
ST. LOUIS, MO – SEPTEMBER 21: Francisco Pena of the St. Louis Cardinals douses Matt Adams of the St. Louis Cardinals after beating the San Francisco Giants at Busch Stadium on Sept. 21, 2018, in St. Louis. Adams announced his retirement.
Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images
The call from another Major League Baseball organization never game, but the Mexican League did. Before each home game, he’d make the commute from San Diego, crossing the border into Tijuana to suit up for his team, the Toros.
“There were days when I was in the middle of the desert in Mexico, and I was like: If I finish this season and don’t make it back to the big leagues, maybe it might be time,” Adams said.
“I just turned 36. I know I’m not getting any younger, but I still feel like I could do that. There were days I weighed the pros and cons of trying to grind through it or be like: I had a great career. I can look back with zero regrets because I went to indie ball, I went to Mexico and I went to the minors for the first time in 10 years. I really gave myself the best opportunity. And I didn’t get the chance to make it back.”
Returning to St. Louis is just the end of a chapter for Adams, whose story in baseball isn’t close to ending.
“This is home now,” Adams said. “It means being able to retire from a playing career with the team that gave me the opportunity to chase my dream — and it’s at home. Very full circle moment for me.
“Let’s see what this next chapter holds.”
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