The St. Louis Cardinals signed catcher Willson Contreras to a five year, $87.5 MM deal during the off-season. His first season has had several ups and downs, but overall the 31 year old is putting together another solid season at the plate. On Tuesday night he hit two home runs against the San Diego Padres and was able to share the special moment with his parents in attendance.
Willson Contreras hit two home runs with his parents in attendance as the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the San Diego Padres in walk-off fashion (MLB News).
Trailing by a score of 4-2, Willson Contreras cut the deficit in half with his first home run coming during the sixth inning of the ball game. Two innings later, this time trailing by a score of 5-3, Contreras got into another pitch and tied the game with his second home run of the game. The Cardinals would go on to win 6-5 when Tommy Edman hit a walk-off single.
In attendance for his 14th career multi home run game was Willson Contreras’ parents. After the game he called that game a special moment for him. This is not only because he played a good game, but from where he grew and what he started with as a kid.
“I came from nothing and making it all the way here, that is what has kept me thankful to be playing baseball. If you go out and walk the streets [in Venezuela], there are a lot of people in need and I’m able to wake up every morning and have a ceiling [overhead], I have my family with me and have food on the table. That’s how I keep my spirits up.”
“Tonight was so special for me having my family in the stands. I’m here because of them, I owe them a lot and I don’t think there’s anything I can ever do that’s enough for them. Having a night like I had tonight, it’s something I’ll never forget.”
The St. Louis Cardinals season has not gone to plan, but that does not mean they can’t play spoiler. San Diego needs as many wins as possible and their loss to St. Louis pushes them to nine games under .500. In September the Cardinals have a schedule that consists primarily of playoff contending teams in the Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, Milwaukee Brewers, and the San Diego Padres again.
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