Lars Nootbaar wasn’t even supposed to be the hero. That’s what made Saturday’s moment so perfect. Just one day after making his long-awaited return from the injured list, Nootbaar delivered the swing that Busch Stadium had been waiting months to see, launching a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth inning to lift the Cardinals to a dramatic 6-5 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

The blast wasn’t just his first home run of the season. It felt like a statement. And Cardinals fans absolutely loved it.

The return Cardinals fans dreamed about

When Nootbaar finally returned Friday after missing the first two months of the season following double heel surgery, the excitement was obvious.

The crowd brought back the familiar “NOOOOT!” chants.

His teammates talked about the energy he brings. Even Nootbaar admitted he felt butterflies and goosebumps. One game later, he gave Cardinals fans another reason to celebrate. With St. Louis trailing 5-4 in the eighth inning, Nootbaar stepped into the batter’s box against Reds reliever Sam Moll. One swing changed everything.

The ball left his bat and traveled a projected 433 feet into the Busch Stadium seats. Game changed. Crowd erupted.

Busch Stadium immediately erupted

If there was any question about how much Cardinals fans missed Nootbaar, the reaction answered it.

As he rounded the bases, chants of “NOOOOT!” echoed throughout Busch Stadium.

The crowd got so loud that Nootbaar was eventually called back out for a curtain call. Afterward, he joked that he didn’t initially realize what was happening.

“I didn’t really hear it,” Nootbaar said. “It just sounds like boos, like usual.”

The joke landed perfectly. Because everyone in St. Louis knows those aren’t boos.

They’re Noots.

Oliver Marmol’s gamble paid off

The moment became even more remarkable considering Nootbaar wasn’t originally expected to play such a significant role. Manager Oliver Marmol used him off the bench as part of a carefully managed return plan. That decision ended up changing the game.

“Dude can hit, man,” Marmol said afterward. “That was a heckuva lot of fun.”

It’s hard to argue with that assessment. The Cardinals manager pushed the right button, and Nootbaar rewarded him with the biggest swing of the afternoon.

The Cardinals suddenly look different

It’s only been two games. But it’s already becoming obvious how much Nootbaar changes the feel of this team. His production matters. His plate discipline matters. His defense matters.

But perhaps most importantly, his energy matters. Jordan Walker summed it up perfectly after Friday’s game.

“He brings the energy. He’s like the heart and core of it.”

That energy was impossible to miss on Saturday.

The Cardinals got their guy back

For weeks, Cardinals fans waited. They watched rehab updates. They tracked minor league box scores. They counted down the days until Nootbaar’s return.

Now they know exactly why.

In less than 48 hours, Nootbaar has delivered two hits in his season debut, helped spark a 10-run comeback victory and launched a game-winning homer that sent Busch Stadium into chaos.

Not bad for someone who wasn’t even supposed to be the hero. The Cardinals were hoping Nootbaar would give them a boost when he returned. Two games in, he may already be giving them much more than that.