Cardinals' Wetherholt Ties Uecker's Franchise Home Run Record

Rookie slugger hits two homers in front of home crowd, etching his name in team history.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 12:50pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the explosive power and movement of a baseball player's swing, with the player's form fractured and abstracted into sharp, overlapping planes of red, white, and navy blue.Rookie slugger JJ Wetherholt etches his name in Cardinals history with a two-homer game, joining franchise legend Bob Uecker atop the team's all-time home run list.St. Louis Today

St. Louis Cardinals rookie outfielder JJ Wetherholt hit two home runs in Tuesday's game, tying the franchise's all-time home run record held by legendary broadcaster Bob Uecker. Wetherholt, who is in his first MLB season, has quickly become a fan favorite in St. Louis with his power-hitting exploits.

Why it matters

Wetherholt's performance is a feel-good story for the Cardinals, who are looking to bounce back from a disappointing season last year. Tying Uecker's franchise home run mark is a significant milestone for the young slugger, who is cementing his status as a rising star in the league.

The details

In the Cardinals' 7-4 win over the visiting team, Wetherholt launched a pair of towering home runs, the first coming in the 4th inning and the second in the 7th. His two-homer game tied the franchise record of 274 career home runs set by Uecker, a beloved figure in Cardinals history who spent 8 seasons as a player with the team before becoming a legendary broadcaster.

  • Wetherholt hit his two home runs on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
  • Uecker set the previous Cardinals franchise home run record during his playing career from 1962 to 1967.

The players

JJ Wetherholt

A rookie outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals who is in his first MLB season.

Bob Uecker

A former Cardinals player from 1962-1967 who later became a legendary broadcaster for the team and is in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

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What they’re saying

“JJ has been a real spark plug for us this season. To see him tie a franchise record like this in front of our home fans is just incredible.”

— Oliver Marmol, Cardinals Manager

“I'm honored to have my name up there with a Cardinals legend like Bob Uecker. This is just the beginning for me, and I can't wait to keep making memories in this uniform.”

— JJ Wetherholt

What’s next

Wetherholt will look to break Uecker's franchise home run record in the Cardinals' upcoming series against the Chicago Cubs.

The takeaway

Wetherholt's historic performance not only delighted the home crowd, but also underscores the Cardinals' bright future with the emergence of this young slugger as a potential franchise cornerstone.