Following the trade that sent Tommy Edman to the Los Angeles Dodgers and brought right-hander Erick Fedde to the St. Louis Cardinals, a familiar face returned to the team.
Tommy Pham, who came back with Fedde from the Chicago White Sox, quickly made his presence known with the Cardinals.
In his first game back, the 36-year-old hit a pinch-hit grand slam and followed it up with three hits the next day.
During a recent FOX Sports segment, Cardinals legend Adam Wainwright reminisced about the trade and a moment that solidified Pham’s leadership qualities for him.
“Tommy Pham went around the room, pointing at people,” Wainwright shared. “He was spot-on with everything he said about each person.”
Having been Pham’s teammate from 2014-18, Wainwright recognized Pham’s winning mentality and ability to motivate his teammates.
“He’s a winner and holds himself to a high standard,” Wainwright praised. “If you’re not meeting that standard, he’ll make sure you know.”
Pham’s return has already had a positive impact on the Cardinals, helping them secure two wins against the Texas Rangers.
With Pham’s added veteran leadership, the Cardinals are aiming to catch up to the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central and secure a playoff spot after last season’s disappointing finish.
For more MLB news, check out how the new Cardinals outfielder earned his first start after a clutch home run.