The St. Louis Cardinals welcomed Nolan Arenado back to Busch Stadium on Monday with a reception that reflected his lasting connection to the franchise and its fans.
Arenado returned to St. Louis as a visiting player for the first time since his January trade to the Arizona Diamondbacks. When he stepped into the batter’s box for his first plate appearance, the crowd rose and gave the veteran third baseman a loud standing ovation.
The moment was especially meaningful because Arenado spent five seasons with the Cardinals from 2021 through 2025. During that stretch, he became one of the club’s most recognizable players, pairing elite defense with steady production and a strong presence at third base.
Talkin’ Baseball shared the scene on X, formerly Twitter, as the eight-time MLB All-Star received a warm reception from the fans of his former club.
“A standing ovation for Nolan Arenado in his first game back in St. Louis,” Talkin’ Baseball shared.
A standing ovation for Nolan Arenado in his first game back in St. Louis pic.twitter.com/BJL3EwnlRD
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 23, 2026
The ovation also stood out because Arenado waived his no-trade clause to complete the deal. His exit came during a winter roster shift as the Cardinals moved toward a younger core, marking the end of a period filled with expectations, strong defense, and several memorable moments.
Cardinals fans responded with appreciation rather than bitterness. They recognized a 10-time Gold Glove winner who helped define a modern era for the organization alongside former teammate Paul Goldschmidt, the 2022 NL MVP, and whose standing remained strong after his departure.
Arenado has since started settling into his new role with the Diamondbacks, while the Cardinals have moved forward with their retooled roster and renewed energy. For one at-bat Monday, though, Busch Stadium paused to salute one of the best third basemen in Cardinals history.
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