Matt Carpenter Retires After 14 Seasons in MLB

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Veteran infielder Matt Carpenter announced his retirement from baseball on Wednesday, ending a successful 14-year career in Major League Baseball (MLB). Carpenter made the announcement on the ‘Get in the Game’ podcast, hosted by former teammate Scott Linebrink.

During the podcast, Carpenter reflected on his journey, stating, ‘I was very fortunate enough to play for some great organizations, and had quite a thrill being able to don the St. Louis Cardinals logo for many years.’ The 39-year-old expressed gratitude to his family and shared his excitement for new opportunities ahead.

Carpenter debuted in the MLB in 2011 with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he spent the majority of his career. He also played for the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres in the last few seasons. His recent season was marked by injuries, concluding with a .259 batting average, 179 home runs, and 659 RBIs.

A three-time All-Star, Carpenter was recognized with a Silver Slugger Award in 2013 after leading the National League in hits (199), runs (126), and doubles (55). Though he experienced a powerful resurgence during his time with the Yankees in 2022, his later years were challenging.

In his announcement, Carpenter credited God for guiding him towards this decision: ‘God really just put it on my heart that it was time to come home and be a dad,’ he said, mentioning his young children, Kinley and Cannon.

Carpenter’s versatility on the field allowed him to play multiple positions, including first base, second base, and third base, which contributed to his successful career. He began his career as a 13th-round draft pick by the Cardinals and became a fan favorite, known for his gritty playing style and distinctive lack of batting gloves.

As Carpenter looks forward to spending time with his family, he still cherishes the memories from his playing days. ‘It was just an electric environment,’ he recalled about his major league debut against the Chicago Cubs, where his father was in attendance.

With heartfelt farewell messages flooding in from fans and teammates, Carpenter’s retirement marks the end of an era for many baseball enthusiasts.