Thunderous applause and roaring cheers followed Arenado throughout the day: When he first took the field on the back of a Ford-150 truck — a home opener tradition — and circled the field, when he was introduced before his first at-bat in the bottom of the first inning and during each of his at-bats that followed.

After a not-so-impressive 2024 season, Cardinals' third baseman Nolan Arenado jumped out to a hot start on Opening Day.

Nolan Arenado's uncertain future and the chip on his shoulder make him as interesting a story as any for the St. Louis Cardinals this summer.