Chris Carpenter
| Chris Carpenter | |
|---|---|
| File:Ph 112020.jpg | |
| St. Louis Cardinals – No. 29 | |
| Starting pitcher | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| debut | |
| May 12, 1997, for the Toronto Blue Jays | |
| Career statistics (through July 18, 2006) | |
| Record | 93-64 |
| ERA | 4.14 |
| Strikeouts | 1,081 |
| Former teams | |
Christopher John (Chris) Carpenter (born April 27, 1975 in Exeter, New Hampshire) is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who has played for the St. Louis Cardinals since 2003. Carpenter was 22 years old and a highly-regarded prospect when he broke into the majors in 1997 with the Toronto Blue Jays. He would stay with Toronto until after the 2002 season, when the Cardinals took a big gamble.
The Cardinals signed Carpenter prior to the 2003 season. Unfortunately, Carpenter was forced to sit out the entire 2003 season due to arm problems. However, Carpenter came back with an impressive 2004, helping the Cardinals win the National League pennant for the first time since 1987. Arm problems resurfaced, though, and forced him to miss the entire 2004 postseason in which the Cardinals eventually played against the Boston Red Sox in the World Series.
Returning with full health, Carpenter had a breakout 2005 season. He posted a 21-5 record (a career high in wins), while also achieving career bests in ERA (2.83), strikeouts (213), innings pitched (241.7), complete games (7) and shutouts (4). This time, Carpenter was healthy for the postseason. And although the Cardinals lost to the Houston Astros in the National League Championship Series, he pitched very well throughout the postseason, going 2-0 with a 2.14 ERA in 21 innings against the San Diego Padres and Houston.
Carpenter was selected for and started the All-Star Game in 2005, a season in which he also won the Cy Young Award.
Pitching style
Carpenter is known to have three quality pitches and throws two and four-seam fastballs in the 93-95 mph range consistently. He is known to have one of the best curveballs in baseball and exherts excellent command over his offspeed pitches.[1] He known as being unpredictable to opposing batters in his pitching pattern, as he will throw any pitch at any time.
Carpenter has also shown his ability to work effectively on days when he doesn't have his best stuff.
Trivia
- As of 2005, Carpenter resides in Bedford, New Hampshire.
- Pitched for the Trinity Pioneers (Manchester, New Hampshire) while living in Raymond, New Hampshire during his high school years.
- Struck out a career high 13 batters on June 13, 2006 in seven shutout innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Cardinals won the game 2-1.[2]
- Prior to becoming one of the prominent pitchers in baseball, Carpenter was often confused with former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Cris Carpenter.
- Pitched a complete game shutout against Dodgers on July 14, 2006, with only two hits and seven strikeouts. [1]
Honors
- 2004 Comeback Player of the Year - The Sporting News and MLBPA
- 2005 & 2006 All-Star selection
- 2005 Pitcher of the Year - The Sporting News
- 2005 Cy Young Award
References
External links
- Career statistics from Baseball Reference
- Template:Espn mlb