Arenado soaks in emotional post-HR curtain call

ST. LOUIS -- Nolan Arenado's eighth-inning blast didn't give the St. Louis Cardinals the lead -- they were already in front at the time -- nor did it complete a big day at the plate for him.

But it had plenty of extra meaning, and the crowd knew it. It's why they asked for and received a curtain call from the 12-year veteran, who was on the trade block all winter.

"I wasn't expecting the current call," Arenado said after the Cardinals' 5-3 win over the Minnesota Twins on Opening Day. "I'm actually surprised I got it. I don't think I got one last year."

Arenado took Twins righty Griffin Jax deep to left to pad the Cardinals' lead, giving him two hits on the day, but it was before the game that he really began to feel the emotion of the afternoon. Arenado received a huge ovation from the sold-out crowd during player introductions, giving him a reason to take things in more than normal.

"I usually don't, but today I did, and the way they cheered for me, it meant a lot to me and it got me motivated, and I was just fortunate to give them something to cheer about again," Arenado said. "Usually, they don't do curtain calls if you hit one homer, but it was a big homer."

The emotions from Arenado's blast and the ensuing curtain call stemmed from the uncertainty that loomed over his future in a Cardinals uniform following an unproductive 2024 campaign in which he hit just 16 home runs. Over the winter, he invoked his no-trade clause, turning down a deal to Houston, though many observers thought he would eventually be moved.

Another trade never materialized, but that doesn't mean one won't happen this summer. Arenado understands that.

"I don't know," he said. "There's different things going through your head, so you just think of all the uncertainty. I was like, I don't know if this is going to be my last time."

His teammates recognized the meaning of the moment as well.

"Significant to him," outfielder Lars Nootbaar said. "Significant to us. Cool for the fans to bring him out like that."

St. Louis is going through a transition phase as longtime executive John Mozeliak has already announced this will be his last year. Unless the Cardinals are in the race, there is an expectation they will move some veterans later this summer.

But that wasn't the narrative on Thursday when St. Louis played a solid opening game, led by veterans such as Arenado and starter Sonny Gray. It's possible that Gray will eventually be moved as well, along with closer Ryan Helsley, who locked down the save against the Twins.

But that's for the future. The present was about a fan favorite getting his due after a rough season.

"That was a pretty nice bow on it," manager Oliver Marmol said of the home run. "This is a guy that's worked really hard this offseason to come back and show what he's capable of doing. That's a big homer. It's probably more meaningful than people think."