ST. LOUIS — At just 22 years old, Masyn Winn is quickly becoming a fan favorite for the St. Louis Cardinals. His blazing speed, elite arm, and fearless energy have brought a spark to the team during a transitional season. But behind the highlight plays and rookie stats, Winn is building a reputation for something far greater: his heart.
Earlier this year, just after a tough home loss, Winn was spotted lingering outside Busch Stadium long after his teammates had left. A small group of fans remained, among them a 10-year-old boy named Eli battling a rare genetic disorder that left him unable to walk or speak fluently. He held a hand-drawn sign that simply read:
“Masyn, you inspire me.”
Winn didn’t just wave. He walked over, sat next to Eli in silence for a few minutes, and gave the boy his game-used glove, along with a quiet smile. He didn’t post about it. No cameras captured it — until Eli’s father shared the story online with the caption:
“Masyn gave my son more than a glove today. He gave him hope.”
Though still new to the league, Masyn Winn has already shown leadership qualities well beyond his years. Coaches say he’s the first to arrive, the last to leave, and always one of the first to mentor younger Latin players trying to adjust to the majors — even though he’s barely a year into his own big-league journey.
His humility is rooted in his upbringing. Raised in a close-knit Texas family, Winn has often credited his mother and grandmother for teaching him the value of community.
“Baseball’s a gift,” Winn once said. “But what we do off the field — that’s what lasts.”
As the Cardinals rebuild, Masyn Winn isn’t just penciled in as their shortstop of the future — he’s becoming the heart of the team today. With every stolen base, every throw from deep short, and every quiet moment with a fan, he’s proving that greatness isn’t always loud.
Sometimes, it’s just a kid with a glove… sitting beside another kid who needed a hero.