“That’s completely up to (manager) Mike Matheny and our staff,” said Carpenter, who led the club with a .392 on-base percentage and topped the National League in hits (199), runs scored (126) and doubles (55). He was third in total bases, unusual for a leadoff man, with 301.

“Being a coach’s son, I’ve always been able to understand the role of the manager,” Carpenter said. “Your job is to stay out of the way. Whatever he puts in the lineup, you’d better just be ready to go.

“I hate to sound cliché-ish, but I just do what I’m told. I play wherever they play me and I hit wherever Mike decides. If he decides ninth, I hit ninth.”

Carpenter, according to Post-Dispatch research, actually came to the plate last season more than any other Cardinal ever had, counting postseason games. He made a whopping 793 plate appearances, one fewer than major league leader Dustin Pedroia of Boston, who had 794.

Fittingly, perhaps, the man who batted most often in the National League had the last at-bat for the National League. Carpenter struck out swinging to end Game 6 of the World Series as the Cardinals lost four games to two.

“I wish it was the other way around,” said Carpenter, “and that last at-bat could have won a game for us. But that’s the way it goes.