Few players left as significant a mark on the St. Louis Cardinals during the 2010s as Matt Carpenter, who is now officially retiring from baseball.
Although there was some hope he might land another MLB opportunity this season, Carpenter announced on the Sports Spectrum podcast today that he is ending his remarkable 13-year career.
Matt Carpenter, a 13th-round pick out of Texas Christian University in 2009, wasn’t a highly touted prospect destined for stardom. After a brief debut in 2011, he made a strong impression in his rookie season in 2012, hitting .294/.365/.463, finishing sixth in National League Rookie of the Year voting, and posting a 124 wRC+.
His breakout came in 2013, when he delivered a stellar campaign, slashing .318/.392/.481 with 11 home runs, 55 doubles, 78 RBIs, and 126 runs scored. That season, he finished fourth in NL MVP voting, posted a 7.2 fWAR, and helped lead the Cardinals to the World Series. Known as one of baseball’s top leadoff hitters, Carpenter also stood out for his defensive versatility, adding even more value to the Cardinals’ lineup.
Between 2012 and 2018, Carpenter was a cornerstone of the Cardinals’ success, playing a pivotal role during their run to three NLCS appearances and a World Series trip from 2012 to 2014. Over his 12 seasons in St. Louis, he was selected to three All-Star teams, earned a Silver Slugger award, and placed in the top 12 of MVP voting three times.
Carpenter finished his Cardinals career with a .261/.366/.466 slash line (.812 OPS), tallying 159 home runs, 308 doubles, 767 runs, and 659 RBIs. Once eligible, he’s an undeniable first-ballot choice for the Cardinals Hall of Fame. Fans got a chance to see him one last time in 2024 when he returned to St. Louis in a reserve role after playing the 2022 and 2023 seasons with the Yankees and Padres.
Congratulations to Matt Carpenter on a remarkable MLB career. He was a consummate professional, a great role model, and a central figure in one of the most successful eras of recent Cardinals history. We’ll keep you posted on what’s next for him in his post-playing journey.