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- Chris’s first major league strikeout victim was Hall of Famer Paul Molitor.
- In 1997, Chris became the first Blue Jay rookie to toss a shutout since John Cerutti in 1986.
- Chris was voted 2004 Comeback Player of the Year.
- The Cardinals won 20 of Chris’s 28 starts in 2004.
- In 2005, Chris became the first St. Louis pitcher to fan 200 batters since Jose DeLeon in 1989.
- Chris was the first Cardinal to win 20 games since Matt Morris in 2001.
- Chris is the second New Hampshire native to start an All-Star Game. The first was Red Rolfe, in 1937.
- Chris donated his jersey and cleats from the 2005 All-Star Game to a cancer charity. The winning bidder paid $3,400 for the lot.
- In high school, Chris’s slapshots from the blue line struck fear into opponents and teammates alike. He once broke the ankle of a fellow Pioneer with an errant shot.
- One of Chris’s early mentors was Blue Jays teammate Pat Hentgen. They had the same agent, Bob Lamonte.
- Chris is one of baseball’s worst post-game interviews. He speaks in a monotone, shies away from self-analysis, and rarely offers more than basic criticism or flattery.
- St. Louis fans had a case of deja vu when the team announced it had signed Chris. A player named Cris (with no "h") Carpenter had pitched out of their bullpen in the 1990s.
Paul Molitor,
2004 Sports Collectors Digest
Red Rolfe, Burke
photo