Nolan Arenado Launches Clutch Home Run Against Astros, Reminding Cardinals Fans Why He Stayed in St. Louis After Turning Down Offseason Trade Rumors
ST. LOUIS — Nolan Arenado reminded everyone exactly why the Cardinals were so determined to keep him in St. Louis.
In a tense matchup against the Houston Astros on Saturday night, the star third baseman came through in the clutch, launching a pivotal home run that not only fueled the Cardinals’ late-game rally but also reignited fan excitement around the veteran slugger who chose loyalty over headlines this past offseason.
Arenado’s seventh-inning solo shot, a towering blast to left field off Astros starter Cristian Javier, sent Busch Stadium into a frenzy. The home run, which tied the game at 3-3, was Arenado’s fifth of the season and a much-needed spark for a Cardinals offense that has struggled to find consistency early in the year.
“It felt good, not just for me but for the team,” Arenado said postgame. “You always want to come through in those moments, especially in front of these fans.”
But for many in Cardinal Nation, it wasn’t just about the home run. It was a symbolic swing — one that echoed Arenado’s decision to stay with the Cardinals amid offseason rumors that had him potentially on the move. Speculation swirled during the winter, with reports suggesting that Arenado might waive his no-trade clause to facilitate a fresh start elsewhere. Teams like the Dodgers and Yankees were rumored to be interested.
However, Arenado ultimately stayed put, reiterating his belief in the organization, his teammates, and the city of St. Louis.
“I never wanted to leave,” Arenado reiterated when asked about the offseason. “There’s something special here, and I believe in what we’re building.”
The Cardinals went on to win the game 5-3, thanks in part to a lockdown performance from the bullpen and a go-ahead RBI double by Paul Goldschmidt in the eighth. But the night belonged to Arenado — a player whose passion, grit, and loyalty were on full display.
Manager Oli Marmol praised Arenado’s leadership: “He’s the heartbeat of this team. That homer wasn’t just a run — it was a statement.”
As the Cardinals continue their climb in the NL Central standings, performances like Arenado’s are exactly what they’ll need. With his bat heating up and his commitment never in doubt, it’s clear why Arenado is not just a star — but a cornerstone of the franchise.
And if fans needed a reminder of why he stayed, they got it under the lights at Busch Stadium, with one powerful swing.