Wong proving doubters wrong as catalyst

ST. LOUIS — Kolten Wong had plenty of opportunity to stew over his season as August passed by with only periodic appearances by the second baseman. Buried on the bench — in part because of his uneven first half, in part because of others’ second-half surges — the player to whom the Cardinals committed $25.5 million this spring had finally had enough.

Fed up with those who believed he had no fit, and tired of his own self-induced pressure getting in the way, Wong came to a fresh conclusion. Whenever that next chance came, he would approach it differently than he ever had before.

Wong has kept that promise to himself, playing with an edge and emotion that has helped him emerge into a must-watch player once again. With a terrific and timely double play turn on Friday and a critical eight-pitch walk, Wong helped the Cardinals turn an ominous start into a 4-3 win over the Brewers.

“I think I’m just tired of people thinking that I’m not that good,” Wong said. “I believe in myself to the fullest, and I play this game the way I do because I believe in myself. I’m not the kind of guy who is going to sit back and worry about making an error. I know I can make these plays, and if I make an error, so what.”

It’s with that sort of reckless abandon that Wong has reminded the Cardinals why they so heavily invested in him. With more upside …

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