'Skip's one of the best': Schumaker, Wainwright get tender reunion in Detroit

DETROIT -- Rangers manager Skip Schumaker had an office visitor he knows quite well walk through his door prior to Saturday night’s 5-1 loss to the Tigers at Comerica Park.

It was former teammate and Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainright, who served as an analyst Saturday night for the national TV game on FOX, and played eight seasons (2005-2012) with Schumaker.

“Waino” got a chance to interview Schumaker, the 2023 National League Manager of the Year with the Marlins, along with fellow analyst A.J. Pierzynski (the Rangers’ starting catcher in 2013) and play-by-play announcer Adam Amin.

“I played with a lot of really good people in my career,” said Schumaker. “Adam’s the No. 1 guy that has impacted my life as a husband, father -- with more than just baseball. So, I can tell you that there’s not a better person I’ve been around, and I’ve been around some really good people in Matt Holliday [another Cardinals teammate] and some really good guys.

“But the way Adam’s impacted me and changed my life is not just about baseball. It’s about relationships, and he’s No. 1.”

Saturday’s game didn’t have fans on the edge of their family room chairs as FOX broadcast it.

Texas got a solo homer by Jake Burger (his sixth of the year to share the team lead with Corey Seager) for its lone run, and Cal Quantrill pitched three scoreless innings of relief while Josh Jung had a double and single to extend his hitting streak to 11 games. But the Rangers couldn’t overcome starter Kumar Rocker (1-3, 4.71 ERA) giving up five runs in two innings, with a three-run homer by Dillon Dingler in the first inning setting the tone.

Wainwright was a three-time All-Star who won 200 games in 18 seasons. Schumaker was an outfielder turned second base starter, batting .278 in 11 seasons. They were on World Series-winning Cardinals teams playing for Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa.

Wainwright said the first inkling he had that Schumaker might manage some day came when he began playing several positions, and even pitched four innings. He said doing that helped Schumaker relate so well to everyone on the field.

“But it was when I would see him sitting next to the bench coach or manager during games,” said Wainwright. “That was when I started thinking Skip wanted to manage someday, and he’s been a great manager.”

That observation was mentioned to Schumaker, who said, “Yeah, I was always trying to learn the game and play along with Tony because when you’re coming off the bench, you don’t want to get caught off guard. Tony would look at you, and if you didn’t have a little sweat and your batting gloves on, he knew you weren’t ready and would just pick somebody else [to pinch-hit].

“So, I knew I always had to be ready and follow along. And I got better at it as I got older. It really helped me both with matchups and how he was navigating and double-switching. Then I got the hang of it and fell in love with it.”

Wainwright said Schumaker’s people skills and ability to relate to a variety of players has been important to his success.

“Skip’s one of the best in that area,” said Wainwright. “One of the very best, for sure.”

Wainwright added that learning from La Russa, who was great with his players and built tremendous loyalty, was invaluable to both himself and Schumaker.

“Tony is the best,” said Schumaker. “I owe him a lot.

“And to see Adam keep working and still being involved in the game in some capacity -- there’s no doubt anyone would want him on a Major League staff, coaching. He doesn’t need to. He has five kids at home that he’s raising and he just adopted a boy, Caleb, who’s seven years old, and it’s his first boy. He has four girls, and so now he gets to watch him play baseball and coach him.

“He’s still involved on TV, and is also into music. He has 15 songs out, and he’s a very good country artist. So, he’s got a lot of things going on, but I think anybody would tell you that he’s on their list of best teammates they’ve ever had. And, by the way, he’s a World Series champion, a pretty special person.”