Chris Carpenter talking about his neck/shoulder/nerve issues

Chris Carpenter has spent the past few weeks strengthening his shoulder and preparing for a throwing program. He said his neck and shoulder feel great, but the true test will come when he picks up a baseball.  In 2004, Carpenter was sidelined with a similar nerve-related injury late in the season and didn’t pitch against the Red Sox in the World Series. 

“Just a lot of rehab right now. We’re taking our time,” he said. “There was a neck issue that affected the nerves in my arm. With my past history, we’re slowing everything down and getting everything working properly ... To be honest with you, with everything that’s gone on in my career, I’m playing with fire all the time. I’m OK with it. You deal with injuries in this business. You never want an injury to end your career, but you deal with it all the time in this business. Fortunately, we have great trainers and doctors that get you back on the field.”

Asked if he’ll be ready to pitch in the 2012 postseason, he said, “I think I’ll be back before that, to be honest with you. I just can’t answer that question until I start throwing again.”

Tony Plush wasn't invited on this trip

World Series champion Chris Carpenter caught this lunker, a peacock bass, on a recent trip to Brazil with fellow Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay. The All-Star excursion included elite angler Skeet Reese and former Blue Jays reliever B.J. Ryan. They returned home with tales of anacondas and alligators.

Photo courtesy of Chris Carpenter

Cy Young winners, anacondas and alligators

Just got off the phone with Chris Carpenter, who returned home from an incredible hunting and fishing trip to Brazil and the Amazon. Carpenter, Roy Halladay and B.J. Ryan were part of a group led by famous angler Skeet Reese, and, boy, do they have stories to tell. BFF’s Carpenter and Halladay, who’ve combined for three World Series titles and 11 All-Star appearances, dueled in the National League Division Series before planning an off-season adventure of a lifetime. Highlights:

• They slept on a houseboat for seven nights, spending most of the day fishing for peacock bass.
• They hunted in the rainforest, shooting caiman (alligator-like creatures), and met a native who'd just been attacked by an anaconda.
•  The snake bit the man in the butt and tore the motor off a 14-foot canoe. Read Skeet's epic tale here.
• From Skeet: "Me and Doc came across a local, sitting bare naked on a tree by the river. He was fishing in the river for tropical fish to sell for aquariums when he got attacked by an anaconda."
• They ate alligator and turtle. They showed a Winter X Games dude, Ryan McCullough, how to fish like a champ.
• More Skeet, LOL: "The snake apparently bit him on the ass but he was able to free himself before the snake wrapped him up."

Picture in the back row are Chris Carpenter, B.J. Ryan and Roy Halladay, who recently embarked on a fishing trip to Brazil. Skeetreeeseinc.com Photo

Last post on Chris Carpenter for a while. Promise. You know the Cardinals team meeting in August that has been referenced several times now? Well, Carpenter keeps downplaying it, but World Series MVP David Freese said last night that it was the Cards' turning point. 

"I sit here right now, and I still can't believe that we actually did this. I keep thinking about mid-August, the mood of the team, kind of the disappointment of what was going down," Freese told the media after World Series Game 7. "Carp said, 'Let's get together and talk about some things.' You know, most importantly we said that the fans deserve for us to make a run at this. You get 3 million plus for the last however many years consecutively, and that's incredible, so they deserve this just as much as anybody else."

Wow. That may not sound genuine if you've never been to St. Louis, but, trust me, there's a real love affair between the fans and players. Both sides fulfill each other's need. It's a symbiotic relationship, like the clown fish and coral.

Redbirds: Carpe Diem, one more time

Former New Hampshire high school All-State hockey player, magazine cover boy, Cy Young Award winner, Comeback Player of the Year, 2006 World Series champion ... and 2011 World Series Game 7 winner:

Chris Carpenter, St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals ace improved to 9-2 (3.05 ERA) in 15 career postseason starts. That's now three World Series wins for Carpenter, including a scoreless eight-inning performance against the Tigers in 2006.

As we were saying ...

Chris Carpenter will start Game 7 of the World Series tonight. I had this story yesterday after confirming with a source that had direct knowledge of the plan: a uniformed member of the Cardinals ... a pitcher.

Roger Ebert's got nothing on TLR

Love how the managers and media are working together on this one. Here's the situation: Tony La Russa enters the press room at Busch Stadium to talk about the World Series. You can't really ask the St. Louis manager about Chris Carpenter pitching a potential Game 7 -- which is a good story -- because the Cards first need to win Game 6. What to do? Talk "Moneyball."

"Good acting. I mean, I was offended because of what the book represented and how a lot of those guys were portrayed," La Russa told reporter before Game 6. "I knew a few of those guys as scouts. It strains the credibility a little bit. (The A's) win 20 in a row, qualify for the playoffs, go two up on the Yankees, and there wasn't anything in the movie except a brief about Miguel (Tejada) and Eric (Chavez), three starters, Billy Koch. It was about a couple of trades and turning Scott (Hatteberg) into a first baseman. That club was carried by those guys that were signed and developed the old-fashioned way. That part wasn't enjoyable. It's a nice story but it is not accurate enough."

Carpenter will start World Series Game 7*

THE WARRIOR is preparing for another start. I have confirmed that Chris Carpenter will pitch on short rest and take the mound for Game 7 if the Cardinals are able to extend the series. The New Hampshire native first teased reporters today during a workout at Busch Stadium, saying, "I think everybody is available for the rest of the year, don’t you? Whatever (manager Tony La Russa) needs me to do.”

It's now definitely a plan. He will start on three days of rest if St. Louis gets there.

How great is Ron Washington? Each time the Texas manager answers a question in a press conference, it makes you realize why his players love going to battle for him. On Wednesday, he was asked, "Since Tony La Russa is a hanging out with Bill Parcells, Rick Carlisle and Bobby Knight, who do you get to hang out with?"

Wash: "I get to hang out with (coaches) Mike Maddux, Jackie Moore, Gary Pettis, Dave Anderson, (Scott) Coolbaugh, and my team. That's it."

When asked about "Moneyball," Washington managed to give credit to the A's front office and simultaneously poke fun of the movie. I love this:

"To me, it was a great movie about a general manager that was hamstrung as far as dollars go, and he had to find players and put them together under a formula that he thought would work ...You know, I realize they didn't mention (All-Stars) Eric Chávez, Miguel Tejada, (Barry) Zito, (Tim) Hudson, (Mark) Mulder, but that wasn't what it was about."

Tremendous!

Question for TLR: What are you thinking?

To quote a kneecapped Nancy Kerrigan, "Why? Why?" What was Tony La Russa thinking in World Series Game 5 while making all those boneheaded moves, leading to a 4-2 Texas win? 


The 9th inning alone was nuts. Allen Craig was thrown out trying to steal second base, sucking the life out of St. Louis with Albert Pujols at the plate. Yes, it was a hit-and-run and La Russa was trying to open up a hole at second base, but that's not a risk worth taking with Pujols hitting. Pujols struck out on a high-and-outside pitch, and Mike Napoli gunned down Craig by a mile. Craig was caught stealing twice in a World Series game for the first time since Billy Martin in 1955.


The bullpen debacle: I'm a big fan of Marc Rzepczynski. Big fan. But "Zep" needed to be on the bench watching Jason Motte pitch against red-hot Napoli, who ended up ripping a two-run double. La Russa later said there was some miscommunication when he called the bullpen and asked for Motte to warm up. 


"I called twice. I called back for Motte, and we got the wrong guy," La Russa said in postgame.


What? In this day and age of human rain delays, if La Russa wanted Motte, he could've gotten Motte. Don't blame it on the phone line or bullpen coach.


Also, why was Craig sac-bunting in the third inning? Pujols simply was intentionally walked (one of three times), and The Machine never really had a chance to hit all night.

Chris Carpenter: "There was a lot of angst."

When the Cardinals were 10-1/2 games back on Aug. 26, following a sweep by the Dodgers, Chris Carpenter stepped forward and gave the team a tongue lashing. This is a story about true leadership. The Red Sox should take notes:


"We just weren't playing well. We didn't look good when we were playing, and it wasn't just me that felt something needed to be said," Carpenter told the media before World Series Game 4. "It was about continuing to play hard, doing the best we can. At that time, Milwaukee was doing their thing ... and there was a lot of angst in what was going on in our clubhouse with the race, with our team, and the expectations of what we had. We didn't want to lose those expectations, even though everybody had written us off. We might not catch Milwaukee, we might not catch Atlanta, but let's go ahead and do everything we can to, one, not embarrass ourselves because we have a great ballclub.


"Let's not embarrass our coaches that worked their butts off to help us win. Let's not embarrass our organization and our fans. Let's at least make it look respectful. And that was it. A few other guys spoke, and we started playing better."

Step to the plate, Albert

Albert Pujols made a crucial error in Game 2, but he made more news by dodging the media after the game. Earth to Albert: It's the World Series. Don't hide in the kitchen after a tough loss, forcing the media to grab sound bites from others.


You're a so-called leader. You've been paid $105 million by the Cardinals. Stand at your locker and answer some questions because that's part of your job. Tony La Russa tried to cover for Pujols today in Arlington, but, really, it all sounded quite lame.


"It's get-away day, we leaving earlier because we had an early workout. They wanted to pack for their families. If anybody had said, we need to talk to Albert, he would have stayed," La Russa said. "I heard the criticism, and it offends me because I know our attitude as an organization is 180 degrees different from the way it's being portrayed. Nobody asked for those guys, and they got out of there."


Pujols didn't own up during workout day in Arlington.


"You want me to wait 40 minutes for you guys? I was in the (kitchen)  getting something to eat," he said. "What about the night before when I spoke for an hour and a half? That's not fair ... Nobody approached me for 40 minutes, and I was on my way home."


Pujols went on to say his responsibility is to God and his family. That's weak, Albert. 

Elvis has left the stadium

Can a defensive play shift the World Series? Texas Rangers SS Elvis Andrus and 2B Ian Kinsler made some incredible plays in Game 2, but the range and glovework by Andrus in the fifth inning was some of the best you'll ever see. 
To recap: Andrus saved a run by diving into the hole deep behind second base, snaring Rafael Furcal's grounder, then flipping to Kinsler.

"The situation and being that it was a World Series game and just a run-saving play, I mean, the play was ridiculous. It was probably one of the best I've seen. Glove flip was right on the money. It doesn't get any better than that," Kinsler said. 


Added Josh Hamilton, "When we get home tonight, I'm going to watch it again."

World Series Game 2: Strategy and Mistakes

CAN'T BELIEVE I'm saying this, but Tim McCarver actually made some great points in the ninth inning as Texas rallied to beat the Cardinals, 2-1, and knot the series. 


With St. Louis leading 1-0 in the ninth, the Cards were burned by their "no doubles" defense when Ian Kinsler's high blooper dropped in the outfield. Kinsler reached because the Rangers outfielders were playing across the Mississippi, and he ended up scoring the tying run. 


Moments later, a failed relay catch by Albert Pujols allowed Elvis Andrus to advance to second after singling. That was huge! Andrus would score the game winner on Michael Young's sac fly. 


"Scrabble" Update: Ex-Fisher Cat Marc Rzepczynski has now retired four Rangers, all righty bats, in the Fall Classic ... Tony La Russa removed Jason Motte a little early, ya think? For all the talk about TLR and his Hall of Fame-managing, Ron Washington got heeeem in Game 2.

World Series postgame: Chris Carpenter

I've been covering Chris Carpenter during my 17-year career and never seen him mesmerize a press corps like he's doing this postseason. More insightful answers after Game 1, on catcher Yadier Molina:


"I read a book called 'The Blind Side,' and they talk about the left tackle covering the quarterback's blind side, and if it wasn't for the left tackle, he wouldn't have the time to get that pass off to make the quarterback a star or that wide receiver a star, because he's not doing his job. That's what Yadi is -- secretly behind the scenes. He just makes it that much easier.


"He makes me be able to go out there and do the things that I do with zero concern, knowing that he is just on the same page and doing the same things that I'm doing, studying hitters, studying our game plan, knowing that he prepares, knowing all the information that he keeps inside, paying attention to what each at-bat is all about. He's phenomenal."

Chris Carpenter surpasses Bob Gibson

CARPE DIEM! New Hampshire native Chris Carpenter picked up another postseason win by defeating the Rangers, 3-2, in World Series Game 1. That's now eight postseason wins, tying with Mariano Rivera for the most among active pitchers. 

The win also moves Carpenter ahead of St. Louis Cardinals great Bob Gibson for most all-time in club history. (I know what you're thinking: Gibson didn't have the NLDS or NLCS. He made nine postseason starts.)


Regardless, Carpenter (13 starts) has shut down the Phillies, Brewers and Rangers in a clinic on the mound. Game 1 was a chilly 40-something degrees, and the ace adjusted by commanding two-seam fastballs with Maddux-like movement. Other pitchers struggled with their off-speed stuff because the cold baseball felt slick. 


"Carp" didn't throw a deuce until his 31st pitch. And how about the Trinity High graduate diving into first base to make the out. Gamer.

CHRIS CARPENTER dives into first base and gets the out
 after catching a throw by Albert Pujols.  Reuters Photo

"That ball in the first, I think we need to work on that one next spring," Carpenter said in postgame. "It was just an instinct. He threw that ball, it was a little out of my reach and I dove. I was like 'I'm going to go get it, and it turned out to work out."


BIRD FEED: Rangy Albert Pujols was tremendous at first base, making an impact with his glove instead of his bat ... Mad scientist Tony La Russa did it again, successfully pinch-hitting for Carpenter and having Allen Craig drive in the go-ahead run.


Lefty reliever Marc Rzepczynski became the first ex-Fisher Cat to play in the World Series. "Zep" struck out a pair of righties to end the 7th.

Chris Carpenter focused on Game 1

I had a really nice talk with Chris Carpenter's dad, Bob, and his high school coach, Eddie Poisson, while working on this feature story. It's amazing how much focus young Carp showed at an early age:

“Let me tell you a story,” said Bob Carpenter, who coach Chris through Little League and into Babe Ruth. “He got invited to a Brockton (Mass.) invitational as a senior and pitched against juniors and seniors in college. There were people and scouts everywhere. After the game, I said, ‘Can you believe how many people were watching you?

“He said, ‘I never saw them. All I saw was the glove. I didn't even know who was hitting.' That's when it donned on me, when I realized how he goes about pitching.”

You know how the Brewers have tried agitating Carp? They failed. Zack Greinke said “a lot of guys on our team don't like Carpenter.” Last month, Nyjer Morgan tossed a wad of chewing tobacco in Carpenter's direction, inciting a bench-clearing incident.

“(The Brewers) tried to chirp and chirp and get to him, but he's too focused to get the out. None of that other stuff matters,” the father said.

In 2003, an assortment of elbow and shoulder injuries nearly ended Carpenter's career. Released by the Blue Jays, he signed a minor-league contract with the Cardinals and spent the entire season on a comeback mission.

“It goes back to his determination and drive,” Poisson said, in the New Hampshire Union Leader. “After the Blue Jays let him go, he sat down with his wife and cried and said, ‘What's the next step?' Next thing you know, the Cardinals gave him one more shot.”

World Series: Rangers vs. Rally Squirrels

A FEW THOUGHTS while watching the Cardinals advance to the Fall Classic:

• Ron Darling is just as good in the broadcast booth as he was in Shallow Hal. Seriously, that was on Sunday night.
• Texas is the only team in MLB that hasn't played at Busch Stadium? Didn't know that.
• To quote Mr. Darling, it's an "embarrassment of riches" to have Mike Napoli (.320, 30 homers, 75 RBI) batting sixth for Texas. And still surprises me to see Nelson Cruz batting seventh. The ALCS MVP had six home runs and 13 RBI, both records for a postseason series. 
• That's now 121 career postseason games for manager Tony La Russa. Chris Carpenter, asked about the skipper, said, "Tony is the most prepared person I've ever been around. He lives and dies by numbers, by matchups, by lineups."
• Carpenter goes for a franchise-record 8th postseason win in Game 1 of the World Series at St. Louis. Likely C.J. Wilson for the Rangers. As Tom Verducci reminded us, the Cards have home-field advantage thanks to Prince Fielder's homer off Wilson in the All-Star Game. That's awesome.
• The Rangers won the ALCS without a starting pitcher earning a victory.
• Front Row Amy gave it her best shot.
• That Shaun Marcum for Brett Lawrie trade is looking better and better for the Blue Jays.
• Good luck to Game 6 winning pitcher Marc Rzepczynski, the first New Hampshire Fisher Cat to reach the World Series. Now if I only I'd grabbed one of those squirrel T-shirts at Busch.
• 
  

Catching up with "Zep" in the NLCS: That's the face of Prince Fielder's worst nightmare.

Can Shaun Marcum save the season?

FEAST MODE. That's how opposing teams have felt when facing Milwaukee righty Shaun Marcum lately. Now the Brew Crew turns to Marcum in a in a do-or-die Game 6 of the NLCS.


In his past six starts, the Missouri native posted an 8.18 ERA and gave up some memorable homers to Paul Goldschmidt (a granny) and Albert Pujols.


Today at Miller Park, reporters pressed Marcum for his thoughts about his struggles. They questioned his confidence. He didn't crack.


"I feel great, actually. My arm feels good, body feels good. Just a matter of going out there, keeping the ball down, throwing strikes and trying to get ahead of these hitters," said Marcum, a former Blue Jays starter. "Being in the American League East, I was used to getting beat up every now and again ... Confidence is still as high as it's ever been. It's just a matter of going out there and making pitches and locating them and trying to get some outs."


One more interesting note: Ryan Braun has 22 all-time hits in the postseason, tying him with Robin Yount for the club record.

NLCS Game 5: Fear the Squirrel

ST. LOUIS -- WEIRD, WACKY things happened at Busch Stadium for NLCS Games 3, 4 and 5. Towering fly balls down the line that were supposed to curl foul (hello, Matt Holliday) stayed fair.
Milwaukee's running game was zapped to a halt, and its defense was atrocious in Game 5 as the Cardinals smoked the Brew Crew, 7-1, before a red sea of 46,904 fans.


Edwin Jackson takes the ball for Game 6 in Milwaukee as the Cards go for their 18th National League pennant. Former New Hampshire Fisher Cats starter Shaun Marcum goes to the bump for Milwaukee.


How about Marc Rzepczynski? The St. Louis reliever once again silenced Prince Fielder as the Brewers rallied in the eighth inning. Big Prince is has gone 0-for-4 with 4 Ks against Zep, who I caught up with at Busch.


Matt Holliday went 3-for-5 and is batting .444 in the NLCS.  "We kept getting runners out there and eventually break through," he said.


Love the rally towels and T-shirts in St. Louis and the squirrel tails dangling from fans' hats. Might've even seen the Snorg T-shirt girl.

NLCS Game 4: T-Plush makes a splash

ST. LOUIS -- They booed him. He beat them. Milwaukee outfielder Nyjer Morgan was back in the lineup for Game 4, and pesky "Tony Plush" had two hits and scored the go-ahead run in the fifth. Brew Crew wins, 4-2, behind Randy Wolf's seven strong innings at Busch Stadium.


The best-of-seven series is knotted at 2-apiece, meaning the NLCS will return to Milwaukee. 


For once, the Cardinals didn't score in the first inning, but they did take a 2-0 lead, thanks in part to Matt Holliday's solo cheapie to RF in the second inning. 


Ryan Braun singled home T-Dot in the fifth -- and the Brew Crew was back in Beast Mode.


Morgan was not available for comment after the game, saying, "No dice" to reporters.


The Ax Man closed it out in the ninth, despite allowing a single by pinch-hitter Lance Berkman.