Nolan Arenado opens up about emotional curtain call and fan support

Modified Mar 28, 2025 03:31 GMT

MLB: Minnesota Twins at St. Louis Cardinals - Source: Imagn — Nolan Arenado opens up about emotional curtain call and fan support - Source: Imagn

Nolan Arenado was not short on support during the St. Louis Cardinals' home opener against the Minnesota Twins on Thursday at Busch Stadium. This comes after an offseason where the franchise tried to trade the veteran third baseman. A deal with the Houston Astros was almost done before Arenado nixed it.

When Arenado's name was announced in the starting lineup, the Cardinals fans gave him a huge standing ovation. The third baseman also reciprocated the faith in him by homering in the 5-3 win.

Talking about it during an interview with Tamar Sher, Arenado said:

"I took it all in and I usually don't, but today I did. And, you know, the way they cheered for me, it meant a lot to me and got me motivated. I was just fortunate to give them something to cheer about again also, so, you know, I just want to thank them for that. It meant a lot to me and my family. It was a really cool day," Nolan Arenado said.

Arenado also mentioned that he was not expecting a curtain call.

"I wasn't expecting a curtain call," Arenado added. "I was actually surprised I got it. I don't think I got one last year, so it felt good to get one this year. It started off good. Puts a pretty nice bow on it, to be quite honest."

Expand Tweet

Nolan Arenado leads Cardinals to 5-3 win on Opening Day

Nolan Arenado did struggle last season, but if the first game of the 2025 MLB regular season is anything to go by, maybe the third baseman is set for a bounce-back season.

Arenado helped seal the deal for the Cardinals by adding an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth inning to extend their lead to 5-3. Facing Twins reliever Griffin Jax, the third baseman took him deep for a 376-foot home run in left field. Talking about the home run, Arenado said:

"Well, I was just happy I got to that guy's heater. He's a really good pitcher, and, you know, I was just trying to battle there. I had a short path to the ball, and that's when I'm usually good—when I'm pulling the ball in the air—and I was able to do it there."

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol also heaped praise on the veteran. The manager said:

"I mean, this is a guy that's worked really hard this offseason to come back and show what he's capable of doing and what he's done for a very long time. So that homer, it's a big homer—it's probably more meaningful than people think."

Playing in the cleanup spot, Nolan Arenado finished the game with two hits off four plate appearances.

About the author

Krutik Jain is a journalist who has been reporting on baseball at Sportskeeda since 2022. It was in 2018 when the baseball bug bit Krutik, and already a cricket fan, he credits baseball's rules and Clayton Kershaw's pitching to have hooked him to the game.

A Kershaw and Mookie Betts fan, Krutik rates his favorite team LA Dodgers triumphing over Tampa Bay Rays in the 2020 World Series as his best baseball moment so far. His answer to the perennial "one player from the past you could meet" question is Jackie Robinson. Despite never having seen him play, Robinson's impact, legacy and trail-blazing journey have left an indelible impact on Krutik.

A rigorous fact-checker, Krutik likes reporting on the technical aspects of the game as well as off-field elements. When not watching baseball, Krutik is busy playing cricket, staying up to date with the happenings around the world and hiking.

Know More

Edited by Brad Taningco