One ex-Yankees star hangs boot, another returns to MLB

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A pair of former Yankees who left distinct marks on the franchise are embarking on different journeys as their baseball careers evolve. Matt Carpenter, whose remarkable 2022 resurgence captivated Bronx faithful, has officially announced his retirement from Major League Baseball after 14 seasons. Meanwhile, Corey Kluber, author of the first Yankees no-hitter in over two decades, is returning to his roots by joining the Cleveland Guardians as a special pitching assistant.

Carpenter concludes 14-season journey

Matt Carpenter, 38, revealed his decision to step away from professional baseball during an appearance on the “Get in the Game” podcast, closing the book on a career that spanned three organizations. The three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger award winner remained unsigned throughout the offseason before making his announcement in conversation with former teammate Scott Linebrink.

“I was very fortunate to play for some great organizations and had quite a thrill being able to don the St. Louis Cardinals logo for many years,” Carpenter said. “A brief stint with the New York Yankees and also the San Diego Padres.”

A cornerstone of Cardinals baseball for more than a decade, Carpenter established himself as one of the National League’s most disciplined hitters during his prime. His standout 2013 campaign saw him lead the league with 199 hits while batting .318 and crossing the plate 126 times, helping propel St. Louis to a World Series showdown against Boston.

Carpenter’s production declined significantly by 2021, when he managed just a .176 average before parting ways with the Cardinals. After signing a minor league contract with Texas and subsequently opting out when he failed to make the opening day roster, his career trajectory took an unexpected and dramatic turn upon joining the Yankees in May 2022.

In New York, Carpenter engineered one of baseball’s most surprising comeback stories. Across just 47 games, he produced at an elite level – batting .305 with 15 home runs, 37 RBIs, and a league-best 1.138 OPS among players with at least 150 plate appearances. His 2.4 WAR represented his highest mark since 2018, and he quickly became a beloved figure among the Yankee faithful.

His Bronx tenure also yielded franchise history when he became the first Yankee to hit six home runs in his initial 10 games with the club. A fractured foot unfortunately derailed his momentum, sidelining him for much of the season’s second half. Though he returned for postseason action, he managed just one hit in 12 at-bats throughout the Division and Championship Series.

Carpenter converted his Yankees renaissance into a contract with San Diego, though he couldn’t replicate his New York success. He hit .176 across 76 games with the Padres before returning to St. Louis for a final 2024 campaign, where he posted a .234 average and .686 OPS.

Over 1,511 career games, Carpenter compiled a lifetime slash line of .259/.366/.449 with 179 home runs.

“My wife, Mackenzie. Anyone who’s played professional baseball knows it takes a really strong woman at home to get through what that life looks like, and she was the rock in our household that was able for me to go out and play the game I love for so long,” Carpenter reflected during the podcast. “…And then, obviously, my parents.”

Looking ahead, Carpenter expressed enthusiasm about his post-playing life:

“I’m excited for what’s next and getting to spend some much-needed quality time with my wife and kids on a more consistent basis now that you put the cleats up. It’s exciting stuff.”

Kluber returns to Cleveland

While Carpenter transitions to retirement, Corey Kluber is reengaging with baseball in an executive capacity.

The Cleveland Guardians have announced that the former pitching ace will serve as a special pitching assistant, marking a homecoming for the 39-year-old right-hander. Kluber’s prime seasons unfolded in Cleveland, where he earned three All-Star selections and captured two American League Cy Young Awards – becoming the only pitcher in franchise history to claim multiple such honors.

From 2011 through 2019, Kluber anchored Cleveland’s rotation, posting a stellar 2.96 ERA while establishing himself as one of his generation’s most dominant starting pitchers.

After departing Cleveland, Kluber’s career path led him through brief tenures with Texas, New York, Tampa Bay, and Boston. His Yankees chapter, though abbreviated, produced an indelible moment in franchise history. On May 19, 2021, Kluber authored a no-hitter against the Rangers – the first by a Yankees pitcher since David Cone’s perfect game in 1999.

Kluber made 16 starts in pinstripes that season before shoulder troubles limited his availability. He subsequently joined Tampa Bay for the 2022 campaign and Boston in 2023, where injuries continued to hamper his effectiveness. With the Red Sox, he registered a 7.04 ERA across 15 appearances (including nine starts) before landing on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation.

His transition to a front-office coaching position signals a pivot toward developing young pitchers – a responsibility he appears well-suited for, given his analytical approach and methodical pitching philosophy.

Brief but memorable Yankees tenures

Though neither Carpenter nor Kluber wore Yankees pinstripes for extended periods, both left significant imprints on the organization. Carpenter’s unexpected 2022 offensive explosion stands among the most compelling comeback narratives in recent team memory, while Kluber’s no-hitter provided a singular highlight during an otherwise injury-affected campaign.

Despite their relatively short Yankees stints, both players’ contributions resonated deeply, from the clubhouse to the bleachers.

As Carpenter embraces his family-focused retirement and Kluber begins his coaching journey, the Yankees chapter remains a meaningful segment in both of their baseball legacies.

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