The Cardinals’ first trip to Wrigley Field was always going to be special for Willson Contreras.

How could it not be after spending six seasons with the Cubs and 14 seasons in the organization?

“Coming back to my first home, a city that gave me an opportunity to become a developed player, to the field that watched me grow for six years and the fanbase that watched me play every day — I’m excited,” Contreras said before the game. “It’s been an emotional last few days for me, for sure but I’m happy to be back here at Wrigley Field, even though I’m wearing a different uniform. I’m happy to see my ex-teammates and play against them.”

Still, Contreras was curious what the reaction from the Wrigley Field faithful would be like. He mentioned in the offseason how he envisioned himself playing with the Cardinals when he was still on the Cubs and praised St. Louis, which some fans took as a bash on the Cubs and Chicago.

“I’ll say, that if I did something in the past that got on some people’s feelings, I really apologize, but I would never say anything against the Chicago Cubs or anything against the fanbase,” Contreras said. “The welcome back’s gonna be 50-50. 50% is going to be happy, 50% is gonna boo me, which is acceptable.”

He was wrong but partially right.

Prior to the game, the Cubs honored him with a celebratory video on the left field video board, which the Wrigley Field faithful largely cheered for. When he took his first at-bat, he was cheered again. On the third pitch he saw, he singled to center, to boos from the crowd and he promptly rounded first base raising his arms up and down to encourage the heckling.

Willson Contreras before his first at-bat at Wrigley Field as a Cardinal. pic.twitter.com/VZOwV1Tauw

— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) May 9, 2023

In his second at-bat, he was booed and laced a 117-mph grounder to shortstop Dansby Swanson, who had a nifty slide and throw to throw him out. As he walked to the first base dugout with cheers from the crowd, he again raised his arms up and down.

He was booed again in his third at-bat, when he delivered a go-ahead double off the wall, again egging the crowd on.

He was embracing being the new villain in the historic rivalry.

“I think the baseball player have that in themselves,” Contreras said. “Everyone has to have a little bit of that in themselves. Of course, with my team, right now, the Cardinals, I’m going to try to do my best to win the ballgames and that has to be a part of me, be a little bit of villain — in a good way.”

Willson Contreras tips his cap to the Wrigley crowd ahead of tonight's game. pic.twitter.com/JPQ5CVUh7E

— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) May 8, 2023

Just a few days ago, the Cardinals announced they were stripping Contreras from his catching duties for the foreseeable future, meaning Contreras will likely only impact this series from an offensive standpoint as St. Louis’ DH.

“We talked about it for sure and we created a plan to just keep improving, keep making adjustments, keep getting better,” Contreras said. “That [isn’t] gonna go away. They signed a catcher; they have a catcher and that’s all I can say.”

Regardless of his situation, he was ready to play and excited to be back — his 2-for-4 day with 2 RBI showed that. But he was just as grateful to be back at the place he called home for so long.

“I’m happy to be back,” Contreras said. “I’m happy to be here. I’m gonna be happy to see the fans one more time.

“I think this place is always going to have a special place in my heart.”