51ºÚÁÏ

However, the scene in Ballpark Village with Jocketty’s son, Joey, locking his eyes on the video montage honoring his father and then standing in for his father as Bill DeWitt III read the inscription on Walt’s plaque to the crowd drove home that this weekend’s celebration signaled a healing moment.

Listening to Joey read his father’s words from a speech crafted while his father was in the hospital, then speaking with Joey and after the ceremony reinforced that healing sentiment.

An overdue honor? Sure. But still poignant and meaningful.

“We have a tradition in our family that goes several generations in Minnesota, long before we got to 51ºÚÁÏ,â€� Joey said from the podium after he read his father’s words. “We just, coincidentally, have always loved cardinals. The tradition was whenever you see a cardinal out in nature, that represents a lost loved one is with you.

“I can’t help but notice there are a lot of cardinals here, so we know he’s with us here today. And thanks to this incredible honor, he’ll always be right here where he belongs in ‘Baseball Heaven.’�

Walt Jocketty ran the club’s baseball operations department from 1994 through 2007. The Cardinals recorded a pair of 100-win seasons, went to the postseason seven times, captured seven National League Central Division titles, won two NL pennants and the 2006 World Series during his tenure.

He hired La Russa, a Hall of Fame manager, and the players earned 30 Gold Glove Awards, 16 Silver Slugger Awards and 51 All-Star selections during that span.

Jocketty, who worked in player development and the front office for the Oakland Athletics and also served as assistant general manager for the Colorado Rockies, became general manager in 51ºÚÁÏ in 1994 while Anheuser-Busch still owned the team. He remained in that role when a group led by Bill DeWitt Jr. bought the club.

Jocketty’s words, shared by Joey, described the Cardinals as “more than a baseball team. They’re a tradition, a symbol of excellence and a family.�

Jocketty also cited the 2006 World Series as one of the greatest highlights of his career and a “victoryâ€� for every employee and person affiliated with the club at every level of the organization as well as the fans of 51ºÚÁÏ.

Asked if it’s an overstatement to say Jocketty approached his job as though he worked for the fans of 51ºÚÁÏ, Joey confirmed that sentiment.

“I think that’s fair,� Joey responded. “Yeah, like he said in his words, everything he did was for the fans and for the organization, for the betterment. Having guys like Lou (Brock) and Stan (Musial) and Red (Schoendienst) around, I think that really upped the ante for him and made him want to make sure that he did those guys proud, too.�

Jocketty remained at the helm until DeWitt Jr. dismissed him following the 2007 season, one year after their World Series title together, due to differences in philosophy and “tension� within baseball operations.

Jocketty went on to become general manager of the NL Central rival Cincinnati Reds and competed head to head against the Cardinals from 2008-2015. Jocketty’s Reds teams won two NL Central titles. After the 2016 season, he became an adviser for the Reds.

“I actually got to tell him,� Joey said of his father finding out in January about going into the Cardinals Hall of Fame. “And he said it was the highlight of his career.

“It was during a tough time for him. It meant the world to him, such a historic franchise. Just to be remembered for all the success that they had here because it has been a long time since he was here, obviously, so people kind of forget about it.�

La Russa and DeWitt Jr. were the first two people Jocketty thanked in his speech. La Russa said he first heard the speech when he saw Jocketty in the hospital in the days immediately after he learned of his pending induction.

After the news, La Russa observed the color improve in Jocketty’s face, saw the adrenaline rush and improved energy it gave his ailing friend and witnessed a “rebirth.�

“That euphoria carried him for another couple months,� La Russa said.

Of the 12 red jacket Cardinals Hall of Famers on the stage for Saturday’s ceremony, half were brought to the organization by Jocketty, as was new inductee Edgar Renteria. Others like Ozzie Smith and new inductee Al Hrabosky remained involved in the organization in various capacities during Jocketty’s tenure.

The players Jocketty acquired included iconic slugger ; National Baseball Hall of Famers , Larry Walker and La Russa; star outfielder Jim Edmonds; pitchers Adam Wainwright, Jason Isringhausen, Darryl Kile and Chris Carpenter; and Gold Glove-winning catcher and eventual manager Mike Matheny.

Jocketty oversaw the baseball operations department that drafted and developed players such as J.D. Drew, Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina.

Away from the crowd after the ceremony, La Russa spoke glowingly of Jocketty, the family man, the friend and the baseball man for more than 15 minutes. La Russa spoke with a tone and a fervor that conveyed he badly wanted to make sure his words were absorbed and understood.

La Russa painted a picture of Jocketty as an executive who fiercely backed and trusted his people, never sought to claim credit for the club’s success and created a distinct culture within the organization.

“The culture was that every place in the organization, scouts, player development, major league, we were going to make sure that we earned each other’s respect and trust,� La Russa said. “It sounds corny, if you think about it.�

In La Russa’s eyes, that culture showed in the resilience of the team , when they overcame injuries, doubts and myriad adversities.

La Russa called it “traumatic� when Jocketty left the organization after 2007.

Jocketty’s background in player development, experience and respect throughout the industry allowed him to make shrewd acquisitions during his tenure in 51ºÚÁÏ, La Russa insisted.

La Russa offered a behind-the-scenes recollection of the McGwire trade as an example. According to La Russa, McGwire warned Jocketty not to give up valued prospects in the trade with Oakland because McGwire intended to sign with the Angels when he became a free agent at the end of that season.

“Walt said to me and the coaches, ‘I believe that if Mark comes here for two months, August and September, and he gets exposed to Cardinal tradition and the Cardinal fan support, I think we’ll have a chance to keep him here,’� La Russa recounted.

McGwire went 2 for 25 to start his Cardinal career, all on the road, and expected to get booed when he made his debut as a Cardinal at Busch Stadium. Instead, he got a standing ovation and homered against the Phillies. McGwire agreed to a three-year extension in mid-September.

Jocketty was right again.

So yes, it’s unquestionably meaningful that Jocketty learned of his Cardinals Hall of Fame honor before he died and that the legends associated with him got to celebrate his induction.

“We knew that you’re there to entertain the fans with the way you play,� La Russa said. “It’s not about ownership gives you this or anything else.

“In the end, it’s very simple: Our team plays against another team, and it’s a competition. If you entertain the fans, they pay to come to the park. So we were all doing it for the history and the fans. So was Walt. I know they’re trying to get back to that feeling right now.�

Raquet, 29, gives the Cardinals a second lefty, a strategic option they've had only sporadically over the past month.

Burleson, their leading hitter in several categories, rejoins the team on the first day he is eligible to come off the 10-day injured list. The left-handed hitting outfielder and first baseman used the previous 10 days to recover from recurring wrist soreness.

Raquet spent the 2023 season with the York Revolution in the independent Atlantic League. As a starter for York, the lefty went 13-7 with a 3.71 ERA and more strikeouts (133) than hits allowed (129) in 144 2/3 innings. That offseason, he signed a minor-league deal with the Cardinals and spent most of the next summer at Class AAA Memphis as a swing man, making six starts and 21 appearances in relief.

Released at the end of the 2024 season, Raquet re-signed with the Cardinals in January of this past year and split the season between Class AA Springfield and more time with the Triple-A Redbirds. He spent this year working exclusively out of the bullpen and had a 1.68 ERA in 48 1/3 innings overall.

For the Double-A S-Cards, Raquet had a 0.77 ERA and an 8-1 record with 38 strikeouts in 35 innings.

To make room on the 40-player roster, the Cardinals designated Garrett Hampson for assignment, a move that was reported Sunday afternoon in the Cardinals Extra at StlToday.com. The Cardinals also optioned reliever Andre Granillo to Class AAA Memphis to clear a spot on the active roster for Raquet. Hampson's removal from the roster created the spot for the Burleson.

The Cardinals will open the three-game series at T-Mobile Park on Monday night with 27 members of their 28-player roster active.

Willson Contreras will return to the lineup Tuesday after serving his four-game suspension and missing the past weekend against the Giants.Ìý

There will be more on this developing story at .

TheÌýright-hander Mikolas (7-10, 4.89 ERA)Ìýfaced the Mariners exactly one year ago, giving up nine runs, eight earned, in two innings.Ìý

Mikolas faced nine Seattle batters, allowing hits to each of the first five he faced before he could record an out. Four of those five batters who started Mikolas' night off on a bad note a year ago are still on the roster. Three of them will be the first three he faces Monday.

The potential potholes go beyond those players. Several more Mariners starting Monday have done well vs. Mikolas. Eugenio Suarez has a career on-base plus slugging percentage vs. Mikolas of 1.703, powered by his four homers in 22 at-bats.

Last time out, Mikolas picked up his first win in more than month. His six-inning, one-run effort vs. the Athletics on Tuesday was one of his better efforts of the season.

His ability to strike out Mariners batters and avoid the home run could be key to Mikolas' fortunes. The Mariners strike out at the sixth-highest rate in baseball since the break.

With 74 homers, Seattle has the second-most in baseball since the break. That includes five in each of the last two games, a big part of why Seattle has scored 28 runs total over the past two games.

Mikolas, for his part, allows homers at one of the highest rates in baseball.

Seattle is powered by catcher Cal Raleigh and his MLB-best 53 home runs, one of baseball's most valuable players, and Julio Rodriguez, one of the game's best since early July.Ìý

For the Mariners, 25-year-old right-hander Bryan Woo (12-7, 3.02 ERA), the team's most valuable starter, will take the hill. The Cardinals will face Seattle's top two starters by wins above replacement this series.

TheÌýCardinals are 72-72 after taking two of three from the Giants over the weekend. They're back at .500 for the first time in nearly a month.

The Cardinals have baseball's toughest remaining strength of schedule, with a combined .556 winning percentage, according to Elias and the team.

The Mariners are 75-68 and 2 1/2Ìýgames behind the Astros in the American League West. They hold the third and final wild-card spot.

Alec Burleson activated, Nick Raquet called up

Before the game, the CardinalsÌýactivated outfielder/first baseman Alec Burleson from the 10-day injured list. Burleson was sidelined with right wrist inflammation.

The Redbirds also called up left-handed pitcher Nick Raquet from Triple-A Memphis.

Pitcher Andre Granillo was optioned to Memphis and utility man Garrett Hampson was designated for assignment.

How to watch Cardinals at Mariners

When:Ìý8:40 p.m. Monday

Where:ÌýT-Mobile Park in Seattle

TV/radio: FanDuel Sports Network Midwest (); KMOX (1120 AM and 104.1 FM), other stations in the as well as .

Your options to watch: Input your ZIP code and see your choices for watching Cardinals games.

Lineups

CARDINALS

1. Lars Nootbaar, LF

2. Iván Herrera, DH

3. Alec Burleson, 1B

4. Nolan Gorman, 3B

5. Masyn Winn, SS

6. Jimmy Crooks, C

7. Thomas Saggese, 2B

8. Jordan Walker, RF

9. Victor Scott II, CF

P: Miles Mikolas, RHP

MARINERS

1. Randy Arozarena, LF

2. Cal Raleigh, C

3. Julio Rodríguez, CF

4. Josh Naylor, 1B

5. Jorge Polanco, DH

6. Eugenio Suárez, 3B

7. J.P. Crawford, SS

8. Victor Robles, RF

9. Leo Rivas, 2B

P: Bryan Woo, RHP

Injury report

Nolan Arenado, 3B (right shoulder strain):ÌýArenado took batting practice Monday at Busch Stadium and will return to do the same Tuesday against some pitchers from Class A Peoria. If that goes well, Arenado will begin his rehab assignment Wednesday at Class AA Springfield. Arenado said his goal is to return to the Cardinals on Sept. 15 when they host Cincinnati.ÌýÌýUpdated Sept. 8

Brendan Donovan, 2B (sprained toe/left groin):ÌýAfter taking live batting practice on Monday at Busch Stadium, Donovan traveled to Springfield, Missouri, where he will begin a rehab assignment Tuesday with six innings at second base. The Cardinals are open to the possibility that Donovan spends two or three games with the Class AA S-Cards and then joins them in Milwaukee and is active for this weekend.ÌýUpdated Sept. 8

John King, LHP (mid-back strain):ÌýLefty threw live batting practice Monday at Busch Stadium against teammates Arenado and Donovan. King will head to Class AA Springfield to throw Wednesday in the official beginning of his rehab assignment. King’s back injury is believed to be related to the left oblique strain that landed him on the IL near the end of July and kept him sidelined through the first three weeks of August.ÌýUpdated Sept. 8

Zack Thompson, LHP (shoulder, lat strain):ÌýLefty starter remains on a throwing program in Jupiter, trying to overcome some setbacks as he increased the intensity of his throws through the course of the season. He's visited 51ºÚÁÏ for evaluation to monitor if the injury worsens. Thompson has been sidelined since the start of March and was transferred to the 60-day injured list in early April. There is no timetable for his return to the mound.ÌýUpdated Aug. 6

Two years removed from independent baseball and five from stepping away from baseball entirely to pursue a career in finance, Raquet made his major league debut late Monday night. He pitched a scoreless seventh inning for the Cardinals in their 4-2 loss to the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Field. Raquet became the third reliever this season to make his major league debut with the Cardinals, but his story is unlike any other.

Three years ago, this year’s debuts were prospects.

Three years ago, Raquet was working finance in Washington, D.C.

“Wasn’t really my favorite thing,� the lefty said. “Just passion (brought baseball back). Just feeling, like, fulfilled in what I was doing. I think that was a big thing I was missing in the business world. Finance ended up not being the best fit for me. I had the courage to go pursue something that I wanted to do.�

The Cardinals promoted Raquet — pronounced Ra-kay — on Monday, adding him to the 40-player roster and the active roster in a series of moves. The club designated utility fielder Garrett Hampson for assignment to open a spot on the roster, then optioned right-hander Andre Granillo to Class AAA Memphis for an opening in the bullpen. The Cardinals wanted to add a second lefty to their relief options ahead of facing the Mariners and the Milwaukee Brewers on this road trip.

A second lefty targeted at middle-inning matchups would allow them to save JoJo Romero for closing opportunities.

Raquet, 29, had a 0.77 ERA in 25 games for Class AA Springfield (Missouri), and he struck out 38 in 35 innings. He has a sinker and sweeping slider that can make at-bats tricky for left-handed batters, and he has a change-up that can challenge right-handed batters. He started off his major league career with a 91 mph sinker for a strike and promptly got two fly balls and a ground out to retire all three batters he faced.

“I got really good advice to just: Look, you’re in a different stadium with a lot more people, with a lot better hitters, but it’s the same game,� Raquet said. “You’re doing the same stuff, and that is what I tried to do.�

The view in that seventh was a lot better than an office window.

Selected by Washington in the third round of the 2017 draft, Raquet reached High-A with the Nationals and had an appearance at the invitation-only Arizona Fall League. When the minors shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic and canceled the 2020 season, Raquet took those months to return to college at William & Mary and finish his finance degree. As he did, job offers came — and he traded a button-up jersey for a button-up dress shirt.

“I think I was just frustrated with how everything was going in my career at that point,� Raquet said. “Frustrated with my progress. Frustrated with my own development and where my life was at that point. Kind of looking back on it — it was a pretty emotional decision. Going all, ‘I’m done with that. I want to go see what else is out there.’�

While giving lessons and coaching at facilities near Dulles International Airport, Raquet started to feel that itch again to pitch, the thrill of chasing a ball around that wasn’t there moving numbers around. The batting practice to kids turned into playing catch more vigorously, with intent to get hitters out.

His opponent or his teammate was the same: a net.

“When you play catch in the Northeast, you play catch with a net a ton,� he said.

Those workouts turned into attempts at pro days and throws for scouts and then ultimately an offer from York in the independent Atlantic League. In 2023, four years removed from his last pro pitch, Raquet went 13-7 with a 3.71 ERA in 24 starts. That earned a minor league offer from the Cardinals, and he split time between Class AA Springfield and Class AAA Memphis in 2024. The Cardinals released him in September as changes started to roll through the club’s development system, but in January, they reached out with another minor league offer. This season, he’s had 11 games at Triple-A Memphis and the strong turn at 8-1 in 25 games for Double-A Springfield.

“We want to give him an opportunity and see what it looks like up here for him,� manager Oli Marmo said. “Will be good to see him against big league hitters.�

Raquet was able to mobilize his family, his girlfriend, several friends and his agent to get them to Seattle for the debut.

Although he did almost miss the call he left the business to chase.

Following Memphis’ game Sunday, Raquet went for a walk with his girlfriend along the Mississippi River, not too far from Mud Island. He explained how they just wanted to be outside enjoying the weather — and yes, he left his phone behind. When he returned to it, there were around five missed calls from Memphis manager Ben Johnson. The call to the majors was waiting — but first, Raquet had to call back. Being out on a stroll when that call came was fitting. He took a few detours on the long way to the majors.

“It’s the path less traveled,� Raquet said. “But it’s been worth it.�

Donovan poised for return, Arenado on deck

Brendan Donovan could return to the Cardinals lineup as soon as this weekend when the team heads to Milwaukee for a three-game series.

Donovan and Nolan Arenado faced lefty John King during a live batting practice session Monday at Busch Stadium. Donovan was set to report to Class AA Springfield on Tuesday and play six innings at second base to officially begin a rehab assignment.

Arenado will be a day behind him if his workout Tuesday at Busch Stadium goes well. Arenado will face pitchers from Class A Peoria at Busch and then begin his rehab assignment with the Double-A S-Cards on Wednesday alongside Donovan.

King is set to start his rehab assignment Wednesday with the S-Cards.

Marmol said it’s possible Donovan, who played a month with a sprained toe before going on the IL, will start a few games in Springfield and be ready to return to the lineup against the Brewers. Arenado and the Cardinals are aiming for his return Monday when the team opens a home series against Cincinnati.

Extra bases

Jon Jay handled coaching duties at first base with Stubby Clapp away from the team to attend to a personal matter. Jay was Miami’s first base coach in 2024.

• With his first appearance, Raquet became the sixth Cardinal to make his major league debut this season. The previous five: pitchers Andre Granillo and Matt Svanson, infielder Cesar Prieto, outfielder Nathan Church and catcher Jimmy Crooks.

He joined So Taguchi as the only Cardinals to play in their first major league games in Seattle.

As quickly as he took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, Gray’s outing started to wobble quicker as three walks and two singles meant he would not finish the sixth inning.

“That’s my season in a nutshell,� he said. “Really, really good. One really bad.�

It helped that the game was also the Cardinals’ season in a nutshell.

Superb defense helped Gray take his shutout into the sixth and assisted Riley O’Brien to get through the ninth. The Cardinals relied on two other traits they’ve had to have to win this summer: a strong bullpen and a persistent, base runner-collecting offense. All of the Cardinals’ runs came in an inning when they took advantage of four walks with timely singles, and right-hander Matt Svanson led the relievers, who froze a one-run lead for 3 2/3 innings.

The result was a 4-3 victory Sunday against the Giants at Busch Stadium and a series win that lifted the Cardinals, at 72-72, back to .500.

“When we win, we do those little things well,� manager Oli Marmol said.

The Giants (72-71) took the field Saturday in 51ºÚÁÏ having won 11 of their previous 12 games and feeling like they were accelerating in the playoff chase.

They leave a half-game ahead of the Cardinals in the wild-card standings.

“We believe that we could win, and we’ve shown we can win at high levels,� said Gray, who has started 29 games this season (the Cardinals have won 20 of them). “We’ve not been able to sustain that at times. But overall, I feel like we’ve done OK, especially when we’ve got arguably four of our best players who are not playing, and we’re still hanging in there.�

The Cardinals played the entirety of the Giants’ three-game visit without their home run leader (Willson Contreras), their most consistent hitter (Alec Burleson), their All-Star (Brendan Donovan) and their longtime cleanup hitter (Nolan Arenado). All of that foursome but Contreras remained on the injured list. Contreras was suspended for an ejection in late August.

With that chunk of production missing from the lineup, the Cardinals also faced one of the stoutest offenses coming into September. The Giants put on a show Friday night with 18 hits in their victory.

In the 18 innings that followed, the Cardinals held them to five runs.

Cardinals pitching held the Giants scoreless in 16 of those 18 innings.

And no one did it better than Gray in the first half of Sunday’s game.

“He did a really nice job of staying out of the middle, attacking the edges,� Marmol said. “He mixed well enough to keep those guys off balance.�

Gray’s start began with a snappy defensive play at second base from Thomas Saggese. In the fifth inning, Saggese would range to his left, and his dive for grounder took him into the grass. He still had the arm strength and timing to get the out to keep Gray’s no-hit bid moving.

Gray retired the first 11 Giants he faced, and only Jung Hoo Lee got the ball out of the infield in that stretch. He flew out to center field.

The Cardinals right-hander struck out three of the first nine batters he faced, got two ground outs to start the fourth inning and interrupted his perfect hold on the game with a walk.

He struck out Dominic Smith to strand the runner.

Gray (13-8) has had similar overpowering stretches in previous games. At the end of June, he buzzsawed through the Guardians for 11 strikeouts and a complete game that was the finest by any Cardinals starter this season. Three times in August, Gray pitched seven innings and allowed only one run. But twice in his previous four starts, he allowed at least six runs.

“My season has been kind of up and down, hit or miss, some good, some bad,� Gray said. “Season in a nutshell. I’ve had a ton of games where I’ve gone seven innings (and) no runs, nine innings (and) no runs, six innings (and) no runs, and very rarely I have gone six innings (and) two runs, six innings (and) three runs. It’s been seven innings (and) no runs or it’s been four innings (and) six runs. When I say my season in a nutshell, it’s kind of felt like you’re who you want to be for five innings and then one inning was what it was.�

Before the inning that was what it was, the Cardinals had their decisive inning.

Giants starter Kai-Wei Teng matched Gray zero for zero through four innings. He then walked the first three batters he faced in the fifth inning. They happened to be the last three hitters in the Cardinals’ order. Teng walked No. 9 hitter Jose Fermin on four pitches to load the bases and bring back around the leadoff spot. Lars Nootbaar sparked the rally when he golfed a low pitch into center field for an RBI single.

The Cardinals’ radio-dial offense was off and walking.

They went station to station for a four-run rally. Ivan Herrera followed Nootbaar with a single that brought home another run and kept the bases loaded. Teng walked Nolan Gorman with the bases loaded to force home a run. Masyn Winn grounded into a double play, but that brought home Nootbaar.

“I like the approach there of just getting the next guy up,� Marmol said.

The length of the inning contributed to what happened next for Gray, Marmol believed. Like Teng in the fifth, Gray started the top of the six by walking the first two batters on 10 pitches. They also happened to be the last two batters in the Giants’ lineup.

The top of the order took advantage. Rafael Devers snapped Gray’s no-hitter and shutout with one swing. In the span of three batters, Gray lost his no-hit bid and was also out of the game.

Svanson entered with the bases loaded, allowed one inherited runner to score and was lockdown from there. His 1 2/3 scoreless innings funneled into JoJo Romero’s strikeout to end the eightj and O’Brien’s scoreless ninth for his third save.

Nathan Church had a diving catch in right field that helped O’Brien avoid any trouble from a leadoff single. A double-play ground out ended the game.

Close game.

Bullpen hanging zeroes.

Defense playing a hand in deciding it.

And a third consecutive series victory for the first time since May, back when the Cardinals were in the thick of the standings and outplaying the “reset� imposed upon them.

Season in a nutshell.

“We’ve played some really good baseball. We’ve played some bad baseball. Overall, we’ve played .500 baseball,� Gray said. “No matter what the outside narrative is, you still have to believe you can go out there and win as a group. If you lose that, it just gets ugly, and it gets ugly quick.�

A win Saturday and a save Sunday — and the Cardinals have their answer.

“I would say so,� O’Brien said.

On the eve of heading back to his hometown of Seattle and having a coach to close games there for the Cardinals, O’Brien pitched a scoreless ninth Sunday to secure a 4-3 victory and series win against the Giants. O’Brien allowed a hit and then ended the game with a double play ground out on a 96 mph sinker. He threw two sinkers at 97 mph in the same at-bat. The save, O’Brien’s third of the season, came less than 24 hours after he pitched a perfect ninth before the Cardinals’ rally for a walk-off win.

After missing more than a week, O’Brien appeared strong in back-to-back games to resume his rise as a late-inning option for the Cardinals.

“What you want to see is you want to inch closer and closer to that,� manager Oli Marmol said. “You get to the (trade) deadline and lose those three guys, everybody bumps up into a more significant role, and he’s taken to it well. A big part of that is staying healthy.�

O’Brien pitched in two of the Cardinals’ games against the Pirates in the previous homestand, but his arm did not recover from the outings as he hoped. There was some fatigue and pain, and each day he tried the arm in Cincinnati, he alerted the team that it wasn’t as lively as he hoped. He underwent and MRI when the team returned to 51ºÚÁÏ for this homestand and, assured there was nothing structurally wrong with the shoulder, he ramped up his pregame work and discussed with the team when best to be available.

Marmol expressed hope at the time that getting O’Brien six games away would be better than assuring he was out for 15 days.

The week would help O’Brien explore what he could pitch through and better know what it takes to be available. And by avoiding the IL, he’d maintain momentum he’s building in late-game appearances.

“Of not giving in and being on the attack regardless of what happens,� Marmol said. “Not allowing a negative to follow into the next pitch. That’s been the biggest difference for him. The overall ability to stay locked in and just aggressive.�

An example came in the ninth Sunday.

A leadoff single that put the tying run on base didn’t send an inning sideways.

“I knew I was one pitch away from getting out of that,� O’Brien said. “I think the biggest thing for me (in the late innings is), it brings out more of my competition mode. Not that we’re not competing in other situation. When you’re in a one-run game in the ninth, all you’re thinking about is the game and getting the hitter out. It feels very competitive.�

Since the trade deadline and his ascent to setup and closing roles, O’Brien has allowed two runs in 12 1/3 innings. He struck out seven in those 11 appearances. Nine of his past 10 appearances have been scoreless, and the win-save weekend trimmed his ERA since July 31 down to 1.50.

He said Sunday afternoon he was awaiting word from his mom on how many tickets to get for the series at T-Mobile Park. He grew up going there and said while he dreamed of pitching there, he felt such thinking “wasn’t realistic.�

“I’m excited to hopefully go throw some meaningful innings there,� he said.

Burleson back, Contreras next

The Cardinals expect to get both of hitters who often play first base back in the lineup on the first two days of their visit to Seattle. Alec Burleson continued to go through workouts and batting practice Sunday without issue, and the Cardinals plan to activate him and put him the lineup Monday night at T-Mobile Park. That is the first game he’s eligible to return from the 10-day injured list.

The Cardinals began the process of a roster move Sunday to free a spot for Burleson. Veteran utility fielder Garrett Hampson will be removed from the active roster officially Monday. The Cardinals are keeping prospect Nathan Church in the majors and part of a rotation of outfielders for playing time.

Burleson’s appearance at first base may be brief, however.

On Tuesday, Willson Contreras is eligible to return from his suspension. With Contreras in the lineup that night, the Cardinals will have their home run leader in Contreras and their leading hitter for average in Burleson back in the same lineup — something they did not have in any of the previous three series.

Arenado, Donovan vs. Peoria?

Infielders Nolan Arenado and Brendan Donovan will take live batting practice Monday at Busch Stadium against their teammate, lefty John King, and some members of the High-A Peoria team who will be visiting for a couple of days.

Donovan will take live BP on Monday, and if that goes well, he’ll begin a rehab assignment Tuesday. The Cardinals plan to go game to game with his schedule to determine how many at-bats he needs to return to the active roster.

Arenado will face hitters Monday and Tuesday at Busch, and if he recovers well from those workouts, the plan is to have him begin a rehab assignment Wednesday.

Arenado hopes to return to the Cardinals lineup on Sept. 15.

Class A Peoria’s season ended Sunday, and the Cardinals planned to have a select group of players from that club come to 51ºÚÁÏ for workouts during the week at the major league park. The Cardinals plan to do the same with players from Class AA Springfield (Missouri) and Class AAA Memphis later this month to give them time at the big league ballpark.

First-rounder Doyle debuts

With a 97.7 mph sinker that brushed the outside corner of the strike zone, first-rounder Liam Doyle began his pro career with a strikeout.

The lefty started Saturday for Low-A Palm Beach, hopping the fence from the Cardinals’ back fields to appear for the first time with an affiliate. Doyle, the fifth overall pick in July draft, pitched 1 2/3 innings, struck out three and walked two. He allowed one run and one hit — a solo homer by the reigning Florida State League player of the month, Reds catching prospect Alfredo Duno.

Doyle touched 98.4 mph with his fastball.

Since the Cardinals drafted him as their highest pick since 1998, Doyle has been working out and throwing at the team’s player development complex in Jupiter, Florida. The team managed his workload following a full college season with Tennessee and focused on health and pitch refinement ahead of his first full professional season in 2026.

Here’s a story. A young ballplayer arrives in 51ºÚÁÏ at 20. No one can say his name. He pitches with passion. Fury? Soon, that name is a household name. In 1974, the reliever is fifth in Cy Young voting. In 1975, he’s third (13-3, 1.66 ERA, 22 saves, 97 1/3 innings, all out of the bullpen). Traded to the Royals. Then joins the Braves. But 51ºÚÁÏ, that is where, well, he made his name. Retired, he moves back. Raises a family. Starts doing some Cardinals broadcasting. For 10 years, 20 years, 30 years, now 40 years. He becomes a Cardinals ambassador. He becomes a celebrity in 51ºÚÁÏ sports culture. He becomes … a member of the 51ºÚÁÏ Cardinals Hall of Fame.

“He’s been here a long timeÌý— everybody knows who the Mad Hungarian is,â€� said former Cardinals pitcher Danny Cox, who pitched on the National League champs in 1985 and 1987 and still lives in the area. “Not only is he great as an alumni, but he's great to (young) guys coming up, guys who have been here in the pastÌý— and fans. He does so many events and emceed events throughout the whole city of St Louis and surrounding areas. I mean, for him to be in the Hall of Fame, it’s absolutely earned.â€�

On Saturday, Hrabosky got his red jacket. He was enshrined in the Cardinals Hall of Fame, along with former shortstop Edgar Renteria, who tallied three All-Star Games and two Gold Gloves in six 51ºÚÁÏ seasons, and the late executive Walt Jocketty, who rejuvenated the Redbirds in the mid-1990s, wooed Mark McGwire to town and built the powerhouse teams of the early-to-mid 2000s, including the world champs in 2006.

But for Hrabosky, 76, this Hall of Fame honor isn’t only because of his years on the mound (or behind it, where he’d first fire himself up to fire fastballs), but also because of his years after. It’s in essence a lifetime achievement awardÌý— and he’s one of few men who have devoted their adulthood to the 51ºÚÁÏ CardinalsÌý— and done so with class and charisma.

“Hopefully I'm worthy of being up there with the red jacketsÌý— it means everything to me,â€� Hrabosky said. “I'm proud of my career, and to have the honor to be part of the broadcast team for 40-plus years, and to just witness so many great players and be around them. …

“And I treat the ambassadorship as truly an honor. I'm so proud of the Cardinal organization and what it's done for me. But, you know, it's all about the fans. And anytime I can give back to the fans, I just thoroughly enjoyed being part of their experience.�

You can call him Al. But many refer to him as The Mad Hungarian or Hungo. Alan Thomas Hrabosky became so famous around here, some people don’t call it a “Fu Manchu,â€� but instead an “Al Hrabosky mustache.â€� Imagine being that famous in any town. Of course, Al Hrabosky’s Al Hrabosky mustache, once dark and intimidating, is now gray andÌý—Ìýwho am I kidding?Ìý— still intimidating.

Now, one of the coolest things about Hrabosky is that he cares about the Cardinals. Genuinely. Authentically. Al’s all in. And thus, as he explained, “I’ve just fed off the energy of the Cardinal fans. They were a big part of my success, and I thoroughly have enjoyed every minute as an ambassador. I get to go to the ballpark every day, your ego gets fed. You get to go where you used to pitch. And the best part isÌý— my ERA doesn't go up any more.â€�

Over the decadesÌý— generations, reallyÌý— he’s met so many 51ºÚÁÏ people. Infants to elderly. Lifers to transplants. Carpenters to Chris Carpenter. And Hrabosky has a special pride for the troops. Red, one would surmise, is his favorite color, but white and blue must be right up there, too. The annual 'This One's for You' game broadcast was always a beautiful homage to the men and women who serveÌý— and Hrabosky would provide the perfect touch to it.

And over the years, Hrabosky has cherished his encounters with courageous kids.

“I got a text last night from a friend,� Hrabosky said. “He had brought his son's friend, who was one of the longest living cystic fibrosis patients. Said that I made his day, just going down and seeing him during batting practice, and seeing his son. The kid has since passed away, but just how much that meant to the family. And you hear those stories all the time, and it takes you back.�

Hrabosky finished his eight-year Cardinal career with a 40-20 record and a 2.93 ERA. He pitched in 329 games, starting just one. And he logged 451 1/3 innings, back in the days when relievers were seldom relieved.

He and his wife still live in 51ºÚÁÏ. He has two daughters. Six grandchildren. And now, his life’s work for the 51ºÚÁÏ Cardinals will be remembered long after his life.

“(Family members) can walk down that street, see the Hall of Fame and the Maryville Walk of Fame and the plaque there (in Ballpark Village),� Hrabosky said. “They can go over and see the museum. So that is special.�