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Cardinals pitcher
By Leslie Gibson McCarthyWhat makes the Chris Carpenter story in St. Louis so endearing is how close it came to never happening. He was a talented but injury-plagued right-hander with the Toronto Blue Jays, and they’d all but given up on him while he was recovering from shoulder surgery. In December 2002, Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty signed Carpenter not just because of his talent but also because of his promise. Still, it was a long, hard recovery, during which Carpenter considered quitting the game.
After sitting out the 2003 season, though, Carpenter came back strong in 2004, winning honors as the National League’s Comeback Player of the Year—and even stronger in 2005 with a 21-5 record and a 2.83 earned-run average, which earned him the N.L. Cy Young award. While waiting to take a few swings in
the batting cage, and in the midst of a Cards four-game winning streak, Carpenter answered questions about the new Busch and his newfound fame.
Has the new stadium been a big adjustment? Not at all. The players like it because, if you don’t look above the first level, it really reminds you of the old stadium. Even the
pitcher’s mound.
How has your life changed since winning the Cy Young Award last year? It was fun in the off-season with all the attention and interviews. But as soon as the new season starts, you try to forget about what you did last year; everything is brand new. I just try to be consistent and do the best I can.
You’ve pitched well this season, but so far you’re not getting the wins you had last year. Do you feel any added pressure? [Shrugs.] That’s just the way the game goes. I felt like I’ve thrown the ball well all year, but I’m not getting the wins. That’s what made last year so special. Winning a game in baseball is hard to do. You can’t take anything for granted.
Where do you take your friends and family when they come to town? I don’t go out much, mainly because I’m playing every day. My friends, my family, they go to the Arch, the Zoo, Grant’s Farm. My kids are toddlers, so they enjoy the Butterfly House and the Magic House—and of course, the game. When my friends come to St. Louis, they want to see baseball.
How different is St. Louis from New England? It is definitely hotter. And St. Louis is just real laid-back. People are nice here. You go to the grocery store or just anywhere, things seem to move at a slower pace. People aren’t driving 100 mph all over the place, the way they do on the East Coast.
What’s it like to pitch in St. Louis in August? It’s hot—and, if you’re playing well, the games get turned up a notch in terms of the pressure, because you’re closer to October and possibly the playoffs. The fans are obviously into it, too. Games get more fun as the season goes on. And did I say it was hot?
What’s your routine between starts? You’re not just sitting around the dugout eating sunflower seeds and talking to the guys about American Idol, are you? [Laughs.] I’ve got my workout routine. I’ve got my throwing routine. You pay attention to the games, try to watch hitters and talk about them with the other starters and get your game plan ready.
You’re playing with arguably the greatest player of your generation, Albert Pujols. If he weren’t your teammate, how would you pitch to him? I’d throw it in there and hope he hits it at somebody. [Laughs.] Albert doesn’t have very many holes, and if he does have a hole at any particular time, he’s going to make an adjustment and come back to get you. You have to make quality pitches, pitch him tough and just hope he hits the ball at somebody.
Born: April 27, 1975, in Exeter, N.H.
Height: 6-6
Weight: 215 pounds
Throws: Right
Bats: Right
Drafted: By the Toronto Blue Jays in the first round (15th overall) of the 1993 amateur draft. Signed by St. Louis as a free agent on December 13, 2002
Awards and honors: National League Comeback Player of the Year, 2004; N.L. All-Star Game starter, 2005; N.L. Cy Young Award winner, 2005
