One of the game’s best pitchers when healthy, Chris Carpenter is hoping to return to form in 2009 after making only four appearances over the past two seasons due to a fragile right arm. Signed by the Cardinals in December 2002 after six seasons in Toronto, Carpenter missed the 2003 campaign due to a torn labrum but returned to go 51-18 for the Redbirds from 2004-2006, capturing the National League Cy Young Award in 2005. The 33-year-old Carpenter discussed his future prior to the Granite State Baseball Dinner in Manchester, New Hampshire on November 22.
David Laurila: You had Tommy John Surgery in 2007 and more recently have had an issue with your shoulder. What is your health status right now?
Chris Carpenter: My elbow is feeling good. I just had a little simple surgery to move a nerve, so I’m feeling good. The doctors don’t feel that it’s going to be an issue. As for my shoulder, time will tell. When I get back to St. Louis, after this event, I’m going to get some tests done, and some nerve conduction studies done, to see how my nerve is healing. Nerves take time to heal, but I think that everybody believes that I’m going to be able to come back and pitch, it’s just a matter of how long before that happens.
DL: Do you see your repertoire or velocity changing once you’re back on the mound?
CC: I wouldn’t be able to answer that question right now, not until I come back and start throwing. But I don’t see anything changing.
DL: After missing the 2003 season, you came back and established yourself as one of the best pitchers in the game. Why?
CC: I grew up and gained experience, and the difference between when I came back from my shoulder in ’03 – you know, my stuff didn’t change. I wasn’t throwing as hard as I was when I was in Toronto, before the surgery, but I learned how to pitch and was able to go out and execute pitches. That’s what makes you succeed. There are many guys in this game that throw anywhere from 86 to 100, and there are guys who throw 100 that get hit around, and there are guys who throw 86 and go out and win all the time. So it’s about learning how to execute, and how to pitch, and going out and executing your game plan.
DL: What impact has Dave Duncan had on your career?
CC: He’s had a ton of impact. He’s a great pitching coach, and I owe him a lot for the ability to do all of that. He definitely helped me to go out and learn how to read hitters, how to have a game plan, how to execute that game plan, and how to stick with that game plan. I owe him a lot.
DL: You have an excellent curveball. Can you say a little about its development?
CC: I’ve thrown it since I was 12 years old, so I wouldn’t say there’s been much development involved. It’s a pitch that has always been there. I was born with it and have always been able to throw it. It’s just been there my whole life.
DL: What are your thoughts on Tim Lincecum beating out Brandon Webb for the Cy Young Award in the National League, and which numbers do you feel are most important for a pitcher?
CC: To be honest with you, it’s the consistency; it’s what you do all year long. It’s not about the amount of strikeouts or the lowest ERA; I think it’s about being able to go out there and giving your team a chance to win every time. And if you’re consistent all year long, which Webb and Lincecum both were, you might have to go to the total amount of numbers. If Lincecum beat Webb in most categories besides wins, I don’t see an argument. I don’t know everyone’s numbers, though. I don’t pay attention to, or care too much about numbers. All I care about is being consistent. If I can take the ball and do that, I think I’ll always have a chance to win.
"it’s the consistency", "And if you’re consistent all year long", "I don’t pay attention to, or care too much about numbers", and "All I care about is being consistent." If Carpenter's rehab is unsuccessful, he could always be the new announcer on ESPN's "Sunday Night Baseball."
5 comments have been left for this post.
"it’s the consistency", "And if you’re consistent all year long", "I don’t pay attention to, or care too much about numbers", and "All I care about is being consistent." If Carpenter's rehab is unsuccessful, he could always be the new announcer on ESPN's "Sunday Night Baseball."