Chris Carpenter

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Not to be confused with former MLB pitcher Cris Carpenter, who pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1988 to 1992, or current MLB pitcher Chris Carpenter (baseball, born 1985), who pitches with the Red Sox.
For the American sound engineer, see Chris Carpenter (sound engineer).
Chris Carpenter
Chris carpenter 10 1 2009 7803.jpg
St. Louis Cardinals – No. 29
Starting pitcher
Born: (1975-04-27) April 27, 1975 (age 38)
Exeter, New Hampshire
Bats: Right Throws: Right 
MLB debut
May 12, 1997 for the Toronto Blue Jays
Career statistics
(through 2012 season)
Win–loss record     144–94
Earned run average     3.76
Strikeouts     1,697
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Christopher "Chris" John Carpenter (born April 27, 1975) is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher. He has played for the St. Louis Cardinals since 2003, and is currently signed with the team through the 2013 season.[1]

Carpenter was 22 years old and a highly-regarded prospect when he broke into the majors in 1997 with the Toronto Blue Jays. He stayed with Toronto until after the 2002 season. He is 6' 6" tall and weighs 230 pounds.

Contents

Playing career [edit]

Minor Leagues [edit]

Carpenter began his pro career with the Medicine Hat Jays of the short-season Pioneer League in 1994. In his debut against the Great Falls Dodgers, he tossed six scoreless innings of one-hit ball, fanning nine along the way. He ended up with a mark of 6–3 and turned in the league's third-lowest ERA. He was also picked as the Pioneer League's #3 prospect by league managers, behind Aaron Boone and Ray Brown.

Toronto Blue Jays [edit]

Carpenter made his major league debut as a starter against the Minnesota Twins on May 12, 1997, pitching three innings in a 12–2 loss. He would lose his first five decisions before defeating the Chicago White Sox 6–5 on August 19, 1997. Carpenter pitched his first career complete game and shutout on September 9, 1997 as Toronto defeated the Anaheim Angels 2–0. Carpenter finished his rookie season with a 3–7 record and a 5.09 ERA.

After making two starts to begin the 1998 season, pitching a combined 10 innings and having a 9.00 ERA, the Blue Jays moved Carpenter into the bullpen, where he stayed until the end of May. Toronto moved Carpenter back into the starting rotation, and he pitched very well for the rest of the season, including winning six of his last seven decisions as the Blue Jays made a late push for a playoff spot, however, Toronto missed the playoffs, finishing four games behind the Boston Red Sox for the AL Wildcard. Carpenter recorded 12 wins, tying Pat Hentgen for second highest on the club, as he had a 12–7 record with a 4.37 ERA.

Carpenter had an injury plagued 1999 season, as he made only 24 starts, finishing with a 9–8 record with a 4.38 ERA. He struggled during the 2000 season, and at the beginning of August, in which Carpenter had a 7–10 record with a 6.99 ERA, he was pulled out of the starting rotation and placed into the bullpen. Carpenter returned to the rotation after a few weeks, and pitched better in September to finish the season with a 10–12 record, and posting a 6.26 ERA.

He pitched much better during the first half of the 2001 season, as at the end of June, Carpenter had a 7–4 record with a 3.67 ERA. He would then lose his next seven decisions over his next ten starts to fall to 7–11 and a 4.59 ERA. Carpenter rebounded from his slump to finish with a record of 11–11 and an ERA of 4.09. His 11 victories tied him with Esteban Loaiza and Paul Quantrill for the team high. Carpenter, along with Roy Halladay, were considered the starters of the future for the Blue Jays.[2]

Carpenter was named the Blue Jays opening day starter in 2002 on April 1 at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox. Carpenter was rocked in his start, pitching 2 1⁄3 innings, allowing six runs, and received a no-decision in Toronto's 12–11 win. He was then placed on the disabled list due to a shoulder injury, and would not make another start until April 21. Carpenter lasted only three innings in his second start, allowing three runs against the New York Yankees, taking the loss as New York won the game 9–2. Carpenter once again was placed on the disabled list, where he remained until late June. He would once again go back on the disabled list in the middle of August, and remained there for the rest of the season as he had shoulder surgery in September. Carpenter finished the year 4–5 with a 5.28 ERA. At the end of the season, the Blue Jays removed Carpenter from the 40-man roster and offered him a minor league incentive deal, which Carpenter refused, allowing him to become a free agent.[3]

St. Louis Cardinals [edit]

Carpenter with the Cardinals

2003–2006 [edit]

The Cardinals signed Carpenter prior to the 2003 season, hoping he would be ready by mid-season.[4] He was forced to sit out the entire 2003 season due to a torn glenoid labrum. However, Carpenter came back with an impressive 2004, helping the Cardinals win the National League pennant for the first time since 1987. In September, Carpenter was benched with a nerve problem in his right biceps, ending his season and causing him to miss the 2004 World Series.

In 2005, Carpenter posted his best year to date. He set career bests in ERA (2.83), strikeouts (213), innings pitched (241 2⁄3), complete games (7) and shutouts (4) while amassing a 21–5 record for the Division Champion Cardinals. While not a leader in any one statistical category in 2005, he was selected over Dontrelle Willis as the National League Cy Young Award winner. He also was selected as the starter for the National League in the 2005 All Star Game by Tony La Russa.

This time, Carpenter was healthy for the post-season. Although the Cardinals lost to the Houston Astros in the National League Championship Series, he pitched well throughout the postseason, going 2–0 with a 2.14 ERA in 21 innings against the San Diego Padres and Houston.

Carpenter continued pitching well throughout the 2006 season, achieving personal feats such as striking out a career-high 13 batters on June 13, 2006 against the Pittsburgh Pirates[5] and winning his 100th career game on September 16, 2006 beating the San Francisco Giants 6–1.[6] Carpenter became the third member of the St. Louis Cardinals pitching staff to get his 100th career win in 2006, after Jeff Suppan and Mark Mulder. Carpenter was also voted on the 2006 All-Star game, and finished third in the Cy Young Award voting behind Brandon Webb and Trevor Hoffman.[7]

Carpenter won his first career World Series start in Game 3 against the Detroit Tigers on October 24, 2006 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri by pitching eight innings and allowing no runs on three hits. In his first eight career post-season starts, he had a 5–1 record with a 2.53 ERA in 53 1⁄3 innings.

On December 4, 2006, the Cardinals announced they had re-signed Carpenter to a five-year, US$65 million deal, keeping Carpenter with the team through 2011, with a $12 million option for 2012.[8]

2007–2009 [edit]

In 2007, Carpenter pitched only one game. After an opening day (April 1) loss to the New York Mets, Carpenter was sidelined with elbow problems and the team announced on May 5, 2007, that he would need surgery to trim bone spurs. As Carpenter was attempting to return from elbow surgery, further problems developed and on July 19, 2007, the Cardinals announced that he needed Tommy John Surgery and would be sidelined for at least 12 months.

On July 30, 2008, Carpenter made his first Major League start since Opening Day 2007, 486 days, against the Atlanta Braves. He lasted four innings, gave up one run on five hits (all singles), walking two and striking out two, on 67 pitches (36 strikes).[9] Though Carpenter got the no decision, the Cardinals went on to win the game 7–2.

After making only one start in 2007, and only three starts in the 2008 season, Carpenter gave a stunning one-hit performance in his first start of the 2009 season against Pittsburgh, shutting them out in seven innings, walking two while striking out seven at Busch Stadium. He faced only 26 batters, five over the minimum, and threw 92 pitches—61 for strikes.[10] It was his 101st career win, against only 70 losses (.591 win pct.).

Pitching against Arizona on April 14, 2009, he strained his left rib-cage after batting in the top of the fourth inning, had to be taken out of the game after trying to pitch in the bottom half.[11]

He was placed on the 15-day disabled list April 15, and the initial estimate was for him to be out from four to eight weeks pending an MRI and evaluation the next day;[12] the MRI revealed an oblique tear on his left side.[13]

On May 20, Carpenter returned after missing a month. He pitched five shutout innings giving up only three hits, walking two, and striking out five. He threw only 67 pitches, 41 for strikes. The Cards won the pitching duel with the Cubs, 2–1.[14][15] With his win, Carpenter raised his winning percentage with the club to .726 (53–20), highest ever by a Cardinal through his first 100 starts. Further, he boasted a 3.04 ERA (230 ER in 680.2 IP) for his Cardinal career to that point. John Tudor was the previous win percentage leader after 100 starts (49–21 .700) as a Cardinal. Carpenter's four strikeouts gave him 571 in his 100th start, one less than Bob Gibson had in his first 100 starts.[16][17]

On June 4, he threw his 26th career complete game, and lowered his ERA for the season to 0.71, the lowest for any Cardinals' pitcher in the first six starts of a season, breaking Harry Brecheen's mark of 0.75 set in 1948.[18]

A 7–0 victory over San Diego at Petco Park on August 22, giving him an NL-tying 14th win, was the unofficial 10,000th win in Cardinals' franchise history. The official total (9,219 at the time) is lower because the Cardinals do not count its ten years in the American Association in its all-time statistics.[19]

He won his first Pitcher of the Month award (August 2009) with his 5–0, 2.20 ERA in six starts.[20]

He threw a one-hitter in his next start (September 7) against the Brewers at Miller Park, striking out 10, and earning his first shutout since September 11, 2006.[21]

On October 1, 2009, Carpenter hit his first career home run, a grand slam, in the Cards' 13–0 rout of the Cincinnati Reds at Cincinnati. He drove in two more runs in the game with a double, making him only the fourth pitcher since the advent of divisional play in 1969 to have at least 6 RBI in a game, and broke the Cardinals' club record held by Bob Gibson, who had five RBI on July 26, 1973.[22][23]

For the second time in his career, he won the NL Comeback Player of the Year, after leading the NL with a 2.24 ERA – his first league title in the category – and an .810 winning percentage (17–4). He was also the runner-up for the National League Cy Young award, sandwiched in the voting between teammate Adam Wainwright and winner Tim Lincecum.[24]

He won the 2009 Tony Conigliaro Award (January 11, 2010) unanimously, given annually to a Major League Baseball player who best overcomes an obstacle and adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination and courage that were trademarks of Tony Conigliaro.

Since first pitching for the Cardinals in 2004, he was 68–24 through his first six seasons with the club, his .739 winning percentage the highest in team history through 2009.

2010–2011 [edit]

Carpenter being relieved in the top of the 7th, Game 7 of the 2011 World Series.

In 2010, Carpenter was involved in a bench-clearing brawl with the Cincinnati Reds. After a heated exchange with Reds' manager Dusty Baker, following an incident between Cardinals' catcher Yadier Molina and the Reds' Brandon Phillips which cleared the benches, the two teams began shoving and grappling with each other. During the scuffle, Reds' starting pitcher Johnny Cueto began kicking wildly at several Cardinals while pinned against a backstop, hitting Carpenter and LaRue several times. Cueto was suspended seven games for the incident.

In the midst of the brawl, Carpenter could be seen exchanging words with several players, then the whole crowd of players including his own massed together in his direction. He was pushed up against the railing bordering the stands and almost fell in the middle of the chaos.[25][26]

Through September 28, 2011, Carpenter holds the Cardinals' franchise record for the highest winning percentage by a starting pitcher (95–42,  .693).

On Friday, October 7, 2011 Carpenter pitched a complete-game, 3-hit shutout to carry the Cardinals to victory in the National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. He beat former teammate and long-time friend Roy Halladay in a sensational 1–0 pitcher's duel.[27]

Carpenter is now 6–2, 2.94 ERA in the post-season with the Cardinals. The team has won nine of his 11 post-season starts, and in his total career with the Cardinals, including the post-season, he is 101–44 (.697).[28]

In Game 7 of the 2011 World Series, Carpenter pitched six innings on three days rest, leading the Cardinals to a 6–2 win over the Texas Rangers. Carpenter was 2–0 in his second World Series win.[29]

2012 [edit]

Carpenter flexing his surgically repaired arm and shoulder while on 2nd base. NLDS Game 3. October 10, 2012.

Carpenter did not pitch for much of the 2012 season because of thoracic outlet syndrome, diagnosed on June 28, after a visit to a Dallas-area specialist.[30] On July 3, the team and Carpenter announced he would have surgery to repair his thoracic outlet syndrome that has plagued him all year with nerve-related shoulder problems. Recovery time was estimated at six months, meaning he would miss the remainder of the 2012 season but be ready for spring training in February 2013.[31] The surgery was performed July 19 by Dr. Greg Pearl in Dallas and involved removal of a rib.[32] Despite the original recovery timeline projected by his doctors, Carpenter was able to return to the mound September 21, 2012 in a game against the Chicago Cubs. According to Carpenter "I worked my butt off to try and get back, and it worked out."[33]

His post-season win on October 10 in the third game of the 2012 National League Division Series gave him a 10-2 (2.88 ERA) record, in 16 postseason starts in 100.0 innings, in seventh place for wins, only one behind Curt Schilling (11-2, 2.23 ERA) and Greg Maddux (11-14, 3.27 ERA) for fifth place. Now tied for 10th place in games started with 18. He is 10-4 (3.00 ERA) record in post-season play.[34]

2013 [edit]

2013 is Carpenter's final year under contract with the Cardinals. On February 5, 2013 an MLB.com report on the Cardinals official team website stated that Carpenter was considered unlikely to pitch for the team in the 2013 season.[35] According to Cardinals General Manager John Mozeilak, Carpenter told team officials he was again experiencing symptoms in his right shoulder that sidelined him for much of 2012, namely numbness, weakness, and general discomfort.[35] In mid-January Carpenter told reporters at the Cardinals Winter Warmup event that he'd experienced no problems with the shoulder in his off-season throwing routine. However according to Mozeilak several recent attempts by Carpenter to throw bullpen sessions had caused a resurfacing of the shoulder issue.[35] Carpenter said on February 11, he would not travel to Spring Training in Jupiter, Florida, deciding to stay in St. Louis fearing he could be a distraction.[36] At a press conference that same day, he said he still holds out hope of pitching in 2013, and refuses to talk about retirement.[37] On February 22, the team placed Carpenter on the 60-day disabled list. He ranks second all-time as a Cardinal pitcher with a .683 winning percentage (95–44).[38]

He hopes to become a bullpen fix after saying (May 4) he is feeling good and resuming a throwing program. The GM believes he can return in late June or early July. [39] He threw an impressive bullpen session (#4) of around 70 pitches on May 10, with all his pitch types, and said afterwards he felt good and was ready for his fifth session on May 13. [40]

Pitching style [edit]

Like teammate Adam Wainwright, Carpenter's repertoire consists mostly of sinkers (90–94 mph), cutters (87–90), and curveballs (74–77), with occasional four-seam fastballs and a changeup used against left-handed hitters. His curveball is his preferred pitch with 2 strikes.[41] He is also a good fielder, having pitched three full seasons (2001, 2006 and 2009) without making an error.[42]

Personal life [edit]

As of 2005, Carpenter resides in St. Louis with his wife Alyson, son Sam, and daughter Ava.[citation needed] He is an alumnus of Trinity High School (Manchester, New Hampshire).

Honors [edit]

See also [edit]

References [edit]

  1. ^ Joe Strauss. "http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/article_38abbbca-dcf4-11e0-b0b5-001a4bcf6878.html". Retrieved February 7, 2012. "Cards, Carpenter agree to two year extension" 
  2. ^ "Fletcher key to Blue Jays pitching". CBC News. February 20, 2002. 
  3. ^ http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-70310176.html
  4. ^ Associated Press. "Fassero, Carpenter Also Not Picked Up". November 3, 2003.
  5. ^ ALAN ROBINSON (June 14, 2006). "Notes on Carpenter's 13K game". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved October 10, 2011. 
  6. ^ "Box Score of Carpenter's 100th victory". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved October 10, 2011. 
  7. ^ Curry, Jack (November 14, 2006). "Diamondbacks' Webb Wins N.L. Cy Young Award;". Nytimes.com. Retrieved October 10, 2011. 
  8. ^ "Cards reward Carpenter with $65M extension". Sports.espn.go.com. December 5, 2006. Retrieved October 10, 2011. 
  9. ^ By Matthew Leach / MLB.com (July 30, 2008). "Carpenter solid in season debut: Ace righty thrilled to be back on hill after 16 months away". Stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com. Retrieved October 10, 2011. 
  10. ^ By Matthew Leach / MLB.com. "Vintage Carpenter emerges in victory: Starter takes no-hit bid into seventh; Molina, Barden do rest". Stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com. Retrieved October 10, 2011. 
  11. ^ "Carpenter out with left rib-cage strain: Righty to be evaluated Thursday, might go on DL". MLB.com. April 15, 2009. 
  12. ^ "Cardinals place Carpenter on DL: Rib-cage strain sidelines hard-luck ace four to eight weeks". MLB.com. April 15, 2009. 
  13. ^ "MRI confirms oblique tear for Carpenter: Time-table remains four to eight weeks; rehab next week.". MLB.com. April 16, 2009. Retrieved April 17, 2009. 
  14. ^ Leach, Matthew (May 20, 2009). "Welcome back, Carp". Stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com. Retrieved October 10, 2011. 
  15. ^ "Carpenter makes triumphant return: Cards ace blanks Cubs through five, earns second win". MLB.com. May 21, 2009. Retrieved May 23, 2009. 
  16. ^ "St. Louis Cardinals GAME NOTES" (PDF). MLB.com. May 20, 2009. p. 1. Retrieved May 23, 2009. [dead link]
  17. ^ "St. Louis Cardinals GAME NOTES" (PDF). MLB.com. May 21, 2009. p. 1. Retrieved May 23, 2009. [dead link]
  18. ^ "St. Louis Cardinals GAME NOTES" (PDF). MLB.com. June 5, 2009. p. 1. Retrieved June 7, 2009. [dead link]
  19. ^ Carp stymies Padres, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, (August 23, 2009)
  20. ^ "Carpenter named Pitcher of the Month: Right-hander picked up five wins in August". MLB.com. September 3, 2009. Retrieved September 4, 2009. 
  21. ^ "Carpenter tosses one-hit shutout: Starter magnificent; gets offensive support from Pujols". MLB.com. September 7, 2009. 
  22. ^ "Carpenter's arm, bat help Cardinals snap skid, rout Reds". ESPN.com. October 1, 2009. Retrieved October 1, 2009. 
  23. ^ "Carpenter knocks in six for 17th win: Veteran starter drills grand slam for first career home run". MLB.com. October 1, 2009. 
  24. ^ "Carpenter earns NL Comeback nod: MLB.com reporters honor hurler's dominant campaign". MLB.com. October 5, 2009. 
  25. ^ "Carpenter still steaming about Cueto’s kicks | Cincinnati Reds". Cincinnati.com. October 6, 2011. Retrieved October 10, 2011. 
  26. ^ "MLB hands out suspensions for Reds and Cardinals brawl". Tsn.ca. December 8, 2010. Retrieved October 10, 2011. 
  27. ^ Carpenter's gem sends Cardinals into NLCS: Game 1 against Brewers on Sunday in Milwaukee, MLB.com (Oct. 7, 2011)
  28. ^ Bernie: Carpenter mows down Phillies in dominant fashion, St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Oct. 8, 2011)
  29. ^ Kriegel, Mark (October 29, 2011). "Carpenter proves to be the key for Cards". FOXSports.com. Retrieved 2011-10-29. ""A true ace", [Wainwright] said, just moments after lingering on the victory podium. .... He was referring to Chris Carpenter, ... who had just won Game 7 of the World Series, holding the formidable Texas Rangers to two runs on three days' rest. It was a great World Series. ... [T]he difference came down to the starting staffs." 
  30. ^ Carpenter's throwing session canceled, MLB.com (July 2, 2012)
  31. ^ Carpenter shut down, to have surgery, St. Louis Post-Dispatch (July 3, 2012)
  32. ^ McNeal, Stan (20 September 2012). "Chris Carpenter injury update: Pitcher's return a potential boon for Cardinals". The Sporting News via AOL.com. Retrieved 21 September 2012. 
  33. ^ Fallstrom, R.B. (20 September 2012). "Chris Carpenter to make 2012 debut Friday at Cubs". Yahoo Sports.com. Associated Press. Retrieved 21 September 2012. 
  34. ^ "All-time and Single-Season Postseason Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 23, 2012. 
  35. ^ a b c Langosch, Jenifer (5 February 2013). "Cards' Carpenter unlikely to pitch this season". MLB.com via Cardinals official team website. Retrieved 5 Februar 2013. 
  36. ^ "Carpenter to stay in St. Louis, not visit camp". MLB.com. February 11, 2013. 
  37. ^ "Carpenter holds out hope of pitching in 2013: Cards ace to have numbness, hand discoloration reevaluated while continuing workouts". MLB.com. February 11, 2013. 
  38. ^ "Cardinals place Chris Carpenter on D.L.: Team places pitcher on 60-day disabled list". MLB.com. February 22, 2013. 
  39. ^ "Strauss: Carpenter hopes to be a bullpen fix". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. May 4, 2013. 
  40. ^ "Carpenter turns in impressive bullpen session". MLB.com. May 10, 2013. 
  41. ^ "Brooks Baseball · Home of the PitchFX Tool - Player Card: Chris Carpenter". Brooks Baseball. Retrieved 20 August 2012. 
  42. ^ "Chris Carpenter Statistics and History - Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 20 August 2012. 
  43. ^ Derrick Gould (October 27, 2009). "Carpenter wins Comeback Player award from peers". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 
  44. ^ Chastain, Bill (October 22, 2009). "Carpenter, Greinke win Rogan Award: Negro League Museum honors top pitchers in NL and AL". St. Louis Cardinals official website. MLB.com. Retrieved 2011-10-29. 

External links [edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Chris Carpenter
St. Louis Cardinals current roster
Active roster
Inactive roster
Disabled list
Coaching staff
Preceded by
Javy López
Brad Lidge		 NL Comeback Player of the Year
2004
2009		 Succeeded by
Ken Griffey, Jr.
Tim Hudson
Preceded by
Roger Clemens		 National League Cy Young Award
2005		 Succeeded by
Brandon Webb
Preceded by
Roger Clemens		 National League All-Star Game Starting Pitcher
2005		 Succeeded by
Brad Penny
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