Elite talent distinguished Chris Carpenter at a young age, but he became a great baseball player by listening and learning. His focus was off the charts.

That's what Trinity High of Manchester coach Ed Poisson remembers most about Carpenter, who'll pitch Game 1 of the World Series against the Rangers tonight. The future St. Louis Cardinals ace graduated from Trinity in 1993 and was drafted 15th overall by the Blue Jays, who were coming off a World Series title — and on the way to winning another one.

Scouts loved Carpenter's 93-mph fastball, his 6-foot-6 frame and mental toughness, recalled Poisson.

“He was a great kid to coach because he would listen to what you had to say. He'd never second-guess you because he knew you were there for him. It all goes back to his upbringing.”

Carpenter's father, Bob, coached his son through Little League and into Babe Ruth, though many of those games were “senseless” as the youngster either dominated or wouldn't get a pitch to hit at the plate. At age 15, Chris showed a determination and focus that belied his age while battling 18- and 19-year-olds in American Legion ball.

“All you can do is teach the basics along the way and let things fall where they may. The big thing I saw from (Chris) was a competitiveness and focus. He always knew where to make the play,” said Bob Carpenter, an assistant for Manchester Post 79 when his son played.

Chris grew into an All-State baseball player and hockey player. On Major League Baseball's draft day, he became the first New Hampshire native selected in the first round. Later that day, he threw a shutout against Manchester West in the semifinals. Trinity, which won the ‘92 title, lost in the ‘93 finals to Nashua High, with Carpenter playing first base.

Want to talk about focus?

“Let me tell you a quick story,” Bob Carpenter said. “He got invited to a Brockton (Mass.) invitational as a senior and pitched against juniors and seniors in college. There were people and scouts everywhere. He went out and recorded six straight outs. After the game, I said, ‘Can you believe how many people were watching you?

► Check out Union Leader sportswriter Kevin Gray's blog, graymatter123.blogspot.com, for notes on Fisher Cats playing in the Arizona Fall League.

“He said, ‘I never saw them. All I saw was the glove. I didn't even know who was hitting.' That's when it donned on me, when I realized how he goes about pitching.”

During the National League Championship Series, some vocal Milwaukee Brewers tried to play head games with Carpenter — and failed. Zack Greinke said “a lot of guys on our team don't like Carpenter.” Last month, Nyjer Morgan tossed a wad of chewing tobacco in Carpenter's direction, inciting a bench-clearing incident.

“(The Brewers) tried to chirp and chirp and get to him, but he's too focused to get the out. None of that other stuff matters,” the father said.

In 2003, an assortment of elbow and shoulder injuries nearly ended Carpenter's career. Released by the Blue Jays, he signed a minor-league contract with the Cardinals and spent the entire season on a comeback mission.

“It goes back to his determination and drive,” Poisson said. “After the Blue Jays let him go, he sat down with his wife and cried and said, ‘What's the next step?' Next thing you know, the Cardinals gave him one more shot.”

Carpenter's parents and family will be at Game 1 in St. Louis. Poisson and his wife will be watching on TV as a member of their extended family takes the mound at Busch Stadium.

“We get a kick out of it. My wife isn't a baseball fan, but when Chris pitches, she watches the game,” Poisson said. “We saw him when he was 16 years old and now look at him. Hopefully, he comes back and remembers me and says, “Hi.' That's all I'm looking for, to be part of the Trinity family, and he's done that.”

Staff writer Kevin Gray covers pro baseball for the New Hampshire Union Leader and New Hampshire Sunday News. His email address is kgray@unionleader.com; blog: graymatter123.blogspot.com