On Wednesday, Matt Carpenter announced his retirement after 14 seasons in Major League Baseball. Marp, a nickname created to differentiate him from Chris “Carp” Carpenter, played for three teams in his career. He spent 12 of his 14 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals while having stints with the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres. Today, in celebration of his career, we are going to take a look at the top-5 Marp moments from his time with the Cardinals. This list is the opinion of the writer. Feel free disagree and share moments you believe belong in a top-five list.
Marp’s Top-Five Cardinal Moments
#5 Walk-Off Grand Slam
Who does not enjoy a grand slam? Who does not enjoy a walk-off home run? How about combing the two? That is exactly what Marp did on April 27, 2017 against the Toronto Blue Jays in a 8-4 extra-inning win. The game, the first of a day-night doubleheader with the Blue Jays, was sent into extra innings as a result of a two-run home run by Randall Grichuk with two outs in the ninth inning to tie the game. Then, with the bases load in the 11th, up to the plate came Marp.
What makes this moment memorable is the reaction of the Blue Jays fielders. As soon as Marp made the contact with the ball, none of the fielders moved. They knew it was a home run the second it left his bat. There was no need to even turn and run. Right fielder Jose Bautista moved the most of any Jays fielder by turning his head to watch the ball land behind him in the Cardinals bullpen. Marp walked off the Blue Jays that day in grand style!
#4 2018 Surge
The Cardinals had hoped to enter 2017 with a new third-place hitter, outfielder Gincarlo Stanton. However, Stanton vetoed a trade to the Cardinals in order to go to the Yankees. Instead, the Cardinals acquired Marcell Ozuna from the Miami Marlins to provide power in the lineup. However, the team struggled to generate offense for much of the season. The lineup was not consistent enough to maintain success. The Cardinals found themselves hanging on in the playoff race as a result.
Then Marp got hot. From July 20th to the end of August, Marp went on a tear, including hitting three runs against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. He was named “Player of the Week” in early August after going 11-for-35 with four home runs, seven runs scored, two doubles and eight walks, all while extending an on-base streak to 24 games. Marp’s hot streak put him in contention for National League MVP.
Marp finished the season with 36 home runs, but the Cardinals missed the playoffs for the third-straight year. However, Marp’s surge put the Cardinals in a position to make the playoffs. Behind new manager Mike Schildt, the Cardinals played exciting baseball down the stretch before a 1-5 record in the final week. The Cardinals fell short of their goal, but Marp made it a fun last few months.
#3 No Beltran? No Problem!
Marp became a full-time player in 2012 as a bench player who got regular playing time. Marp became the team’s main left-handed bat off the bench and contributed to the team’s trip to the National League Championship Series.
In Game 3 against the San Francisco Giants, right fielder Carlos Beltran left the game in the second inning and Marp replaced him. Marp’s first at-bat came in the third inning against the Giants ace, Matt Cain. Marp hit a two-run home run over the Cardinals bullpen in right field to give the team the lead. The home run was the first in the playoffs for Marp. The runs ended up being the difference in a 3-1 win. Had the Cardinals managed to win the series and return to the World Series, Marp’s home run would have stood out as a possible turning point in the series. However, the moment still stands as a clutch moment by a young player on the big stage.
#2 Passing “The Man”
Marp entered the 2013 season with no set role, but eventually became the team’s starting second basemen as leadoff hitter. 2013 was a great season for Marp, who was named an All-Star for the first time as well as finishing fourth in MVP voting. Marp tied for the league lead with 199 hits and batted .318.
How special was Marp’s 2013 season? Well, he was so good he broke a 60-year old Cardinals record held by the greatest Cardinal of all-time, Stan “The Man” Musial. On September 21st, Marp hit his 54th double of the season, breaking Stan’s record of 53 doubles set in 1953. Breaking a Musial record exemplifies how great Marp was in 2013.
#1 KO’ing Kershaw
Clayton Kershaw is a 2x World Series Champion with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The left-hander was one of the game’s most dominant starters for many years and a case can be made for him being the best pitcher of all time (but it would fail, because we all know Bob Gibson takes the crown). Had it not been for Marp and the Cardinals in 2013 and 2014, Kershaw may have more accolades on his resume.
In 2013, the Cardinals and Dodgers met in the NLCS. The Cardinals led the series 3-2 as the series went back to St. Louis for Game 6. Marp came to the plate in the fourth inning with the score tied 0-0. Marp would then battle Kershaw for 11 pitches before lining a double into right. Furthermore, the at-bat ignited a four-run inning for the Cardinals. A five-run inning in the fifth KO’d Kershaw and the Dodgers as the Cardinals won the pennant.
Next season, the two teams met again in the National League Division Series. In the seventh inning of Game 1, the Dodgers led the Cardinals, 6-2. Kershaw was dominating and the bats were hot for the Dodgers. Despite Marp hitting a home run earlier in the game, it seemed Kershaw would come out on top this time. Then, in the seventh, the bats woke up for the Cardinals. The Cardinals trimmed the lead to 6-4 when Marp came up with the bases load and two outs. Kershaw got ahead of Marp 0-2, but Marp battled again, evening the count 2-2. On the tenth pitch of the at-bat, Marp hit a bases-clearing double that put the Cardinals o top, 7-6. The Cardinals won Game 1 and won the series in four games. In the four games, Marp hit three home runs and drove in seven.
Once again, the Cardinals had KO’d the best pitcher in baseball. Once again, Marp led the way.
