Wacha sends bobblehead package home to family

ST. LOUIS -- Michael Wacha is sending a special package back home with his parents who are visiting him this weekend, a box full of Wacha bobbleheads.

The Cardinals gave out the bobbleheads featuring Wacha holding his 2013 NLCS MVP trophy Friday night. The rookie hurler was able to take home about 10 for friends and family.

"It's definitely been a pretty crazy experience, seeing myself on a bobblehead," Wacha said. "It's been a crazy past year that's for sure, but its definitely cool to see."

Wacha will leave distribution of the bobbleheads to his parents.

He hasn't gotten any jokes about the giveaway from teammates, yet. But he added there is no statute of limitations for that.

Wacha got his first taste of the Cardinals/Cubs rivalry when he took the mound on Sunday.

"Just approach it the same," Wacha said. "Try not to let the rivalry get in there, just try to approach it like any other start really."

Periods of rain were in the forecast, but manager Mike Matheny said Wacha has been good at keeping his focus, whether its bobbleheads, weather, or pitching in high-leverage postseason situations.

"Out there, there's a whole lot of this, that," Matheny said. The bobbleheads are great for the fans and then there's distraction about the rain delays, but I think inside the clubhouse we have a pretty consistent atmosphere where guys just come in and do their job. Michael's done a good job of keeping the stuff outside, outside."