Chris Carpenter to Retire

Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

Cards righty endured numerous surgeries.

This is one of those newsy tidbits that somehow slipped under the radar. I didn’t notice it until last evening when I saw a scroll at the bottom of the TV screen.

In a Nick Cafardo column for the Boston Globe, Cafardo states that Chris Carpenter‘s agent, Bob LaMonte, said the Cardinals righty will retire. Cafardo adds that LaMonte says Carpenter “may have an opportunity to work for the Cardinals organization”.

Having endured a total of six surgeries have worn down the Cards ace, also according to LaMonte.

“Chris basically came back from five career-ending surgeries. I don’t think you’ll ever see anyone do that again. He had a sixth one and it was too many. He had a great career, a great human being.”— Bob LaMonte, agent for Chris Capenter

The last procedure he endured required the removal of one of his ribs in part as an attempt to relieve thoracic outlet syndrome. Thoracic outlet syndrome involves the compression at the superior thoracic outlet within the shoulder and creates excessive pressure in nerves within the shoulder. The result can be a sharp or dull pain in the upper limbs, including the hand. A tingling sensation can be commonly present as well.

Hard to believe that the Cards are in the postseason and Carpenter is not taking the ball. Love him or hate him, you cannot deny what Carpenter brought to the mound. His tenacity on the field was practically second to none. Carpenter has found his role during this postseason to that of a mentor and a teacher, but the young Cards arms have surely benefited from this.

If this is indeed Carpenter’s farewell as a player, he exits the game with a record of 144-94, an ERA of 3.76 and a WHIP of 1.276. He won the NL Cy Young award for the 2005 season when he tossed seven complete games and won 21.