Former Cardinals All-Star Matt Carpenter Announces Retirement From Baseball
Former St. Louis Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter announced his retirement on Sports Spectrum's "Get in the Game" podcast Wednesday morning. Carpenter said the decision was easy, and he wanted to spend more time with his family as he has two young children.
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - JUNE 23: Matt Carpenter #13 of the St. Louis Cardinals bats against the San Francisco Giants at Busch Stadium on June 23, 2024 in St Louis, Missouri.
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - JUNE 23: Matt Carpenter #13 of the St. Louis Cardinals bats against the San Francisco Giants at Busch Stadium on June 23, 2024 in St Louis, Missouri.
Photo byCarpenter was drafted in the 13th round of the 2009 MLB draft by the Cardinals and would spend the first 11 years of his career with the franchise, including three All-Star appearances and a Silver Slugger. Carpenter would leave the Cardinals for two seasons following a disappointing 2021 season. His first stop was with the New York Yankees, where he would bounce back in only 47 games with in the Bronx.
Carpenter would sign with the San Diego Padres following his short stint in New York but was unable to continue building a late-career revival, hitting only five home runs and batting .176 with the Padres. Carpenter would return to St. Louis for his final season, playing the part of a role player in the dugout and locker room more than an on-field factor.
Carpenter entered the offseason with the desire to continue his playing career, but after going unsigned, the former All-Star told "Get in the Game" that he would resort to prayer and reflection before making his decision on Wednesday. Carpenter gave the Cardinals many great moments, including a three-run base-clearing double off future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw in the 2014 NLDS, rallying the Cardinals to victory and knocking Kershaw out of the game.
Carpenter is a Cardinals legend in the hearts of St. Louis fans and despite the decline late in his career, Carpenter will be remembered by the historic franchise. Carpenter's next chapter in baseball is unclear but for now he told the podcast wants to return home and be with his family.
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