Matt Carpenter Gets Emotional Upon Returning To St. Louis (Video)

New York Yankees outfielder Matt Carpenter was overcome with emotion as he spoke about telling his family he was returning to St. Louis to face the Cardinals, his former team.

Matt Carpenter spent most of his career with the St. Louis Cardinals, the team that selected him in the 13th round of the 2009 MLB Draft. He debuted with the team in 2011 and stayed with the team until 2021. Now his career as a member of the New York Yankees has picked up steam again.

This weekend, the Yanks are in St. Louis to face the Cardinals in a three-game series. Before the game on Friday, August 5, Carpenter met with the media and was overcome with emotion as he discussed telling his family he was returning to St. Louis for the series.

You can see Carpenter’s reaction in the video below, courtesy of ESPN’s Marly Rivera.

Matt Carpenter emotional ahead of returning to St. Louis

Carpenter had many great memories from his time with the Cardinals. From winning the World Series in his very first year at the Majors, to winning the Silver Slugger Award in 2013 and making the All Star Game three times (2013-14, 2016).

However, over the years, Carpenter’s production declined. In 2020 and 2021, he averaged well under .200 batting every season. At the end of the 2021 campaign, the Cardinals declined his option and made him a free agent.

Carpenter signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers earlier this year, but they agreed to part ways last May. The Yankees came on as a substitute and signed him for the entire major league season. Ever since I put on the pinstripes, Carpenter experienced instant success.

In 43 games starting Friday night, Carpenter averages .322/.435/.791 while recording 15 home runs, 36 RBI and 37 hits.

Carpenter will enter Busch Stadium Friday night as a member of the Yankees, batting sixth in the lineup. We’ll see his reaction as he’s greeted by Cardinals fans as he enters the batter’s box.