Longtime Major League Baseball infielder Matt Carpenter has retired from the sport, he announced on Wednesday.
Carpenter played for three teams, including the New York Yankees, but is best remembered for his decade long stint with the St. Louis Cardinals.
The infielder spent 2011 through 2021 playing in St. Louis before returning to the team for his final season last year.
‘God really just put it on my heart that it was time to come home and be a dad,’ Carpenter said on the ‘Get in the Game’ podcast, announcing his retirement. ‘I’ve got two little kids. I’ve got a third-grade daughter, Kinley. I got a first-grade son, Kannon. And they are just in such fun ages.’
‘I just didn’t want to miss out on any more things that you miss as a professional athlete.’
Carpenter posted a longer statement on his social media after his initial retirement announcement.
Longtime MLB infielder Matt Carpenter has retired from the sport, he announced Wednesday
Carpenter played for three teams but is best remembered for his stint with the Cardinals
‘For the pasty 16 years I’ve been fortunate enough to live out my childhood dream of playing professional baseball,’ Carpenter said on Instagram. ‘This sport has given me more than I could’ve ever dreamed – a career filled with purpose, challenges, and immense joy.’
‘… To the many coaches, teammates, and staff members I’ve had the privilege to work with, thank you for pouring into me. From the earliest days playing little league to my final moments in the big leagues, your work behind the scenes, your support, and your friendship made all the difference. I’m a better person for having known all of you.’
Carpenter retires with 179 career home runs and 659 RBIs. He was a three-time All-Star with selections in 2013, 2014, and 2016.
Carpenter’s final big-league season was not his best offensively, only hitting four home runs and amassing 15 RBIs.
The 39-year-old is considered by some to be a Yankees’ legend, despite his short tenure with the team, by becoming the first player for the storied franchise to hit six home runs in his first 10 games for the team.
