The St. Louis Cardinals have endured a challenging start to the 2024 season, holding a 20-25 record through their first 45 games. The team has faced numerous setbacks, including the loss of starting catcher Willson Contreras, who sustained a broken arm on May 7 during a game against the New York Mets.
In response, 23-year-old Ivan Herrera, a highly-rated Cardinals prospect, has stepped up as the everyday catcher. Initially serving as Contreras’ backup, Herrera had shown promise during spring training and is now proving his worth in the big leagues. He has performed admirably, hitting .284 with three home runs and 15 RBIs over his first 95 at-bats, compensating for the offensive void left by Contreras, who had a .280 average, six homers, and 12 RBIs before his injury.
Herrera attributes his recent success to a special visitor: his mother, Dona. In an interview with St. Louis Post-Dispatch writer Lynn Worthy, Herrera shared that his mother’s home cooking and presence have boosted his performance at the plate.
“Since she came here, I started raking,” Herrera said with a laugh. “She’s probably going to start living with me too.”
Herrera expressed the emotional significance of having his mother around, highlighting how much her support means to him.
“Yeah, it is emotional,” he said. “I owe everything to her. She’s the reason why I’m here. I’m just happy I can make her proud, playing good in front of her.”
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