Chris Carpenter is a former professional baseball player who played as a pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) for over a decade. He was born on April 27, 1975, in Exeter, New Hampshire, and grew up in New Hampshire. Carpenter was a standout athlete in high school, excelling in both baseball and ice hockey. He was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the first round of the 1993 MLB draft and began his professional career in the minor leagues.
Carpenter made his MLB debut with the Blue Jays in 1997 and spent six seasons with the team. He was a solid starting pitcher for the Blue Jays, but injuries limited his effectiveness at times. In 2002, he signed with the St. Louis Cardinals as a free agent and began a new chapter in his career.
With the Cardinals, Carpenter became one of the best pitchers in the league. He won the National League Cy Young Award in 2005 after posting a 21-5 record with a 2.83 ERA. He was also named an All-Star that year and helped lead the Cardinals to the World Series, where they lost to the Chicago White Sox.
Carpenter continued to pitch at a high level for the Cardinals over the next several years. He was a key member of the team that won the World Series in 2006, pitching eight shutout innings in Game 3 of the series. He also helped lead the Cardinals to the playoffs in 2011, where they won another World Series championship.
Throughout his career, Carpenter was known for his competitive spirit and his ability to pitch in big games. He was a three-time All-Star and won a Gold Glove award in 2010. He finished his career with a record of 144-94 and a 3.76 ERA.
Injuries were a constant issue for Carpenter throughout his career. He missed significant time in 2003 and 2007 due to shoulder injuries, and he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2007. He missed the entire 2013 season due to ongoing shoulder problems and announced his retirement from baseball in November of that year.
Since retiring, Carpenter has remained involved in baseball. He has worked as a special assistant to the general manager for the Cardinals and has also served as a guest instructor during spring training. He has also been active in charitable work, including his own foundation, the Chris Carpenter Foundation, which supports children with cancer and their families.
Overall, Chris Carpenter had a successful career as a pitcher in MLB. He was a key member of two World Series championship teams and was one of the best pitchers in the league during his prime. Despite his injury issues, he was able to overcome adversity and establish himself as one of the top pitchers of his era.
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