Lars Nootbar fights off tears in emotional goodbye to Cardinals fans

Lars Nootbaar could barely hold it together as he said goodbye to the only organization he had ever known. The outfielder shared an emotional farewell message to Cardinals fans after St. Louis traded him to the Arizona Diamondbacks just minutes before Monday’s deadline.

Nootbaar reflected on his entire journey with the organization, dating back to being an unheralded prospect out of the draft.

“It’s an emotional time for me. I just want to thank you guys for everything, from being an eighth round draft pick in 2018, to being on the team in ’21 on that 17-game win streak, being able to play with legends in the game in 2022, winning the division, all the way to this day forward,” he said. “You guys have had my back and gave me great support from a kid that wasn’t a high prospect at all. You guys embraced me like I was, and St. Louis was a special place.”

A message from Lars Nootbaar to Cardinals fans pic.twitter.com/5ue4IaXd3T

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) August 3, 2026

Nootbaar made clear just how much the city meant to him personally, beyond just his baseball career.

“It’s the only place I’ve ever known, and I bought a house there and everything, and this is tough,” Nootbaar said. “But I just want to thank you guys so much for everything that you guys have done. You guys mean way more to me than I’ve ever meant to you guys, and thank you.”

The Cardinals sent Nootbaar to Arizona in exchange for right-hander Daniel Eagen, left-hander Sandro Santana, and a player to be named later, part of a broader sell-off that also saw St. Louis move Dustin May and JoJo Romero to Milwaukee.

Nootbaar, who debuted in 2021, spent his entire six-year career with the Cardinals, batting .234 with three home runs and 16 RBI in 48 games this season after offseason surgery on both heels delayed his debut until June.

Despite the injuries that repeatedly limited him to partial seasons, the 28-year-old became a genuine fan favorite in St. Louis, remembered as much for his popularity in Japan and his role on the 2022 division-winning team as for his on-field production.

He now heads to a Diamondbacks club fighting for a National League Wild Card spot, hoping better health can help him rediscover the form that once made him one of the most promising pieces of St. Louis’ lineup.

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