Matt Carpenter and Wonderful Wife Mackenzie Set to Enjoy World Series

They have supported each other since high school. Now, Matt and Mackenzie Carpenter get the opportunity to once again share in the remarkable opportunity that is the MLB World Series. 

The St. Louis Cardinals second baseman will lead off for the Red Birds. Hopefully he can deliver some of the pop he provided for the better part of the regular season. 

There is a good chance that Carpenter becomes one of the more visible characters in the Fall Classic. It's worth noting that on the biggest stage is one of the more adorable romances. 

Here are the two on Valentine's Day, via Mackenzie's Instagram. 

And here is a more recent post from Carpenter, which gives fans a glimpse of just how fortunate he feels to be headed to the Fall Classic. 

You see, Carpenter met his wife, Mackenzie, way back when the two were in high school. Player Wives does a nice job of summing things up. 

The two dated through the ups and downs that presented themselves throughout amateur baseball. The best story comes in a 2011 Sports Illustrated profile by Jeff Pearlman.  

That's where we first learned of Carpenter and the gift his wife once gave him when they were dating: a Lance Berkman poster. 

When Pearlman suggested that he might take it down from the wall at his parents' house now that he had made it to the bigs, Carpenter shrugged off the suggestion: "It's always hung there, sort of as an inspiration. Anyone would love to have that type of career. So why mess with a good thing?"

Perhaps the poster is a bit of good luck, because Carpenter played a minimal role with the 2011 Cardinals team that eventually went on to beat the Texas Rangers in the World Series. 

However, he has gone on to become a major contributor to the current Cardinals roster and will play a vital part in any success the team might have in the coming week. 

While he may have struggled as of late, this is the same guy who batted .318 with 11 home runs in 157 games this season. 

As Player Wives notes, Mackenzie continues to lend a hand to the Cardinals wives. This is the same organization that held a grab-bag fundraiser to help those affected by domestic abuse. 

Things aren't always easy. As Carpenter relayed to Bleacher Report's Corey Noles back in April, time away from the wife and family can be exhausting emotionally. 

"It’s tough being away from family, but that goes on in baseball even at the start of your minor league career," Carpenter said. "They’re my best supporters and my biggest fans. That’s why it’s so nice to have a good relationship with your wife and loved ones, so that you always have their support and they understand what that’s going to entail."

Now the two get to enjoy in the special week ahead. There is no telling how things will go for Carpenter and the Cardinals, but there is no question of the support he has in the stands, support that has been there for years and will remain well after the 2013 World Series.