St. Louis, MO – In a locker room filled with the smell of leather gloves and chalk dust, Ryan Helsley, the familiar savior at the end of the bullpen, sat silently. He knew he had only a few days left to don the red jersey he had worn throughout his career.
With the July 31 trade deadline approaching, Helsley, who has been instrumental in countless important wins for the Cardinals, admitted that there was a “90 percent chance that I will be traded.” But then, with a look still heavy with hope, he added:
“I still want to stay… just to be a part of that victory.”
A heart that has tasted the bitter and the sweet
Helsley has not only been the Cardinals’ best closer this season – he has also been the moral support of the bullpen. Every time he steps onto the mound, the Busch Stadium crowd stands up and cheers, believing victory is within reach.
But baseball is as cold as the thrilling beat of the ninth inning. The Cardinals are struggling between playoff ambitions and their long-term future, and Helsley – with his consistent performance – has become a valuable “commodity” on the transfer market.
“I still love this place…”
When it comes to the Cardinals, Helsley still calls it “home”.
“I still love this place. I grew up with my teammates, celebrated with them, cried with them. It’s hard to think about leaving,” he shared.
For Helsley, his love for the Cardinals is not about ERA or saves, but the cheers of the crowd, the look of trust from the catcher every time he signals the last pitch.
When baseball is more than just a game
At Busch Stadium, fans still remember the image of Helsley screaming loudly after each successful save, his hand clenched tightly on the glove as if to hold back a racing heart. Now, he himself is not sure if he will still be wearing a Cardinals shirt in the next game.
“I just want to be a small part of the team’s journey to victory — even if it’s just one shot,” Helsley choked out.
The day of parting — if it comes — won’t take away anything precious
The trade deadline could send Helsley to a new team, where he’ll continue his role as a closer. But there’s one thing that can’t be transferred: his love for the Cardinals and the love of the fans for him.
Even if his final moments in a red jersey come early, fans will miss Ryan Helsley — not just for his knife-like shots, but for the heart of a man who wanted to stay, just to fight alongside his brothers.