Cardinals Veteran Matt Carpenter Announces Retirement After 14 MLB Seasons

Matt Carpenter, a three-time MLB All-Star and fan favorite for the St. Louis Cardinals, announced his retirement after 14 seasons in the major leagues. Drafted in the 13th round in 2009, Carpenter made his mark with a smooth left-handed swing and a consistent on-base presence, highlighted by league-leading doubles in 2013 and 2015 and a career-high 36 home runs in 2018. He played primarily for the Cardinals, with later stints at the Yankees and Padres before returning to St. Louis in 2024. Carpenter shared that his decision to retire was influenced by a desire to spend more time with his young children. In a related retirement, Evan Longoria, a three-time MLB All-Star and Tampa Bay Rays franchise icon, is also retiring after 16 seasons, planning to sign a one-day contract to retire officially with the Rays. Longoria, known for his defensive prowess and offensive contributions, led the Rays in numerous franchise records and spent later years with the Giants and Diamondbacks before stepping away from the game.