08-07-2019, 01:03 AM
ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Cardinals gave manager Mike Matheny a three-year contract extension through 2017 on Wednesday, rewarding him for deep post-season runs in his first two seasons in the job. The team also said that 2005 NL Cy Young Award winner Chris Carpenter is retiring after missing this season with a recurring nerve issue in his shoulder. Matheny led the Cardinals to the World Series this year, losing in six games to Boston. In 2012, his first season managing at any level, St. Louis fell one game shy of reaching the Fall Classic. The 43-year-old Matheny was a four-time Gold Glove catcher with St. Louis and had one year left on his deal. "We didnt want any distractions, we knew we wanted Mike to be a part of this organization for a long time," general manager John Mozeliak said Wednesday. "So we might as well deal with it and get it behind us. "Obviously, with the success hes had he deserves this contract," Mozeliak added. Chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. characterized Mathenys first two seasons as "pretty historic." Matheny called it an "amazing ride." Mathenys managed 30 post-season games the last two seasons and is among eight managers in major league history to lead a team to the post-season his first two full seasons. The Cardinals picked up Mathenys option for 2014 in February. "You look at how everythings kind of unfolded and you just never know," the manager added. "Opportunities come up and fortunately Ive been surrounded by some very, very good people." Mozeliak said the team hoped to "identify a future role" in the organization for the 38-year-old Carpenter. "When you think back to everything this organization has been through in regard to his ups and downs, he will still go down as one of the greatest weve ever had," Mozeliak said. Carpenter went 95-44 with a 3.07 ERA in nine seasons in St. Louis despite making only seven starts combined between 2007-08 and 2012. His began his career in 1997 with Toronto, signing with the Cardinals after the 2002 season. He missed all of 2003 with an injury and was 144-94 overall. "We think back to his career and what an amazing one it was," Mozeliak said. "He was part of so many highlights and I think he really created a culture of higher expectations." Carpenter won 21 games in 2005 and led the league in ERA in 2009, the same year he was named the NL comeback player of the year -- after having Tommy John surgery. Hes the franchise career leader with 10 postseason victories, the most memorable is his 1-0 win over the Phillies and Roy Halladay in Game 5 of the NL division series in 2011. "Chris will always be remembered as the leader of the pitching staff during one of the great eras of Cardinals baseball," DeWitt said. The Cardinals also purchased the contract of outfielders Oscar Taveras and Mike ONeill, and infielder Greg Garcia. St. Louis has 36 players on the 40-man roster. Taveras is the franchises top prospect and is coming off right ankle surgery after batting .306 in just 46 games at Triple-A Memphis. ONeill hit .320 in 98 games at Double-A Springfield and finished the year at Memphis where he batted .295, and the versatile Garcia batted .271 at Memphis and played second base, third base and shortstop. The Cardinals took left-hander John Gast, outfielder Jermaine Curtis and shortstop Ryan Jackson off the 40-man roster. Gast and Curtis were outrighted to Memphis and Jackson was claimed by the Houston Astros. Mozeliak called it a roster "clean up" prior to the winter Rule 5 draft. The team is seeking a replacement for Bengie Molina, an assistant hitting coach this year who last week was hired as the Texas Rangers first base coach and catching instructor. Cheap Jerseys . Its been two seasons in one for both parties and neither will look back on the first 18 games fondly. "I think I took the fall for a lot of things," said Gay, reflecting on his short time in Toronto ahead of Wednesdays game against his former club. Jerseys NFL Wholesale http://www.wholesalejerseysnfl.net/. So what happens? Stevenson lands a huge left to Dawsons temple only 76 seconds into the opening round and walks away with the championship belt. "I said Id knock him out," said Stevenson (21-1). Cheap Adidas NHL Jerseys .com) - Former foes from the Mountain West Conference battle in the 23rd annual Las Vegas Bowl, as the 23rd-ranked Utah Utes clash with the Colorado State Rams at Sam Boyd Stadium on Saturday. Jerseys Cheap Wholesale ." Bach is in Rome for the European Olympic Committees general assembly and meetings with Pope Francis. He also visited with Italian Premier Enrico Letta. "The prime minister appeared to be interested in a bid from Italy for 24, because he has realized that the games can serve as a catalyst for development for a city and a country," Bach told The Associated Press on Saturday.The Oklahoma City Thunder will try to avenge a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers last week when the two sides meet Thursday night at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Tune in to catch the action on TSN at 8pm et/5pm pt The Clippers toppled the Thunder, 111-103, last Wednesday at Staples Center in a game that got chippy. Matt Barnes of the Clippers and Serge Ibaka of the Thunder were ejected after getting into a pushing match in the first half. OKC lost both games on that trip, including a heartbreaker to the Golden State Warriors the very next night. Since, the Thunder have taken two straight, including a 115-113 home win over the Denver Nuggets on Monday. The Thunder were down 14 at one point in the fourth quarter, but thanks to great fourth-quarter play from Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City was able to come back for the victory. "Were very prideful and were going to keep fighting until the last possession," said Thunder head coach Scott Brooks. "Thats always been a trademark." Durant finished with 38 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Westbrook had 30 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists. Reggie Jackson chipped in 12 off the bench. Thursdays game will be the second in a six-game homestand for the Thunder. The Clips complete a short jaunt east in Oklahoma City. They topped the Minnesota Timbberwolves, 102-98, on Wednesday night and, in the process, put Chris Paul into the record books.dddddddddddd Paul finished with 20 points and 11 assists to become the first player in NBA history to open a season with 12 consecutive games with at least 10 points and 10 assists. "Its like you can always count on him," said forward Blake Griffin. "No matter how hes played through three quarters or three and a half quarters or whatever it is, you know hes going to come up with big plays, whether its assists, steals, scoring, whatever it is." Paul scored 13 points in a row in the final frame and 16 of the teams final 20. "Were all competitive," Paul said, "and as a leader of the team, me and Blake, thats what it is: time to win." Griffin had 20 points and 10 rebounds while three other Clippers -- Jamal Crawford, J.J. Redick and Jared Dudley -- also scored in double figures against Minny. DeAndre Jordan only had four points, but grabbed 12 boards. There may not be the same fireworks as last Wednesday if for no other reason than the fact Barnes isnt with the Clippers. He did not travel with the team due to a left eye contusion. The Clippers victory over the Thunder last week snapped a three-game losing streak against OKC. The Thunder are 4-1 in their last five against the Clips in Oklahoma City. ' ' '