Baseball Legend Rico Carty Passes Away at 85

Rico Carty, the former Major League Baseball All-Star, has passed away at the age of 85, as reported by Dominican newspaper Listin Diario. Carty, a 15-year veteran of the MLB, was born in San Pedro de Macoris and initially signed as a catcher with the Milwaukee Braves in 1960. However, during his time in the minors, he transitioned to playing in the outfield.

Carty became a staple in the Braves’ lineup from 1964 and quickly demonstrated his hitting prowess. In his first full season, he played 133 games with an impressive batting line of .330/.388/.554, which included 22 home runs and 28 doubles. This outstanding performance earned him the runner-up position for Rookie of the Year honors, narrowly finishing behind Philadelphia Phillies infielder Dick Allen.

His tenure with the Braves continued after their relocation to Atlanta in 1966. Despite experiencing a dip in performance in 1967 and missing the entirety of the 1968 season due to tuberculosis, Carty bounced back in 1969, posting a robust .342/.401/.549 slash line. The highlight of his career came in 1970, when Carty made his only All-Star appearance and led the league with a .366 batting average and a .454 on-base percentage.

Carty’s career faced further challenges due to injuries. A knee injury during winter ball in the Dominican Republic led to him missing the entire 1971 season. Although he returned in 1972, he played only 86 games before being traded to the Texas Rangers.

The following year was tumultuous, marked by a sequence of team changes and injuries. Carty eventually rejuvenated his career in the Mexican League, which led to a successful tenure with Cleveland spanning four seasons. With Cleveland, he achieved a batting average of .303 and hit 47 home runs. Carty’s performance peaked in 1976, putting him back in the spotlight for MVP considerations.

Following brief stints with the Toronto Blue Jays and the Oakland Athletics, Carty retired from professional baseball in 1979. Post-retirement, he contributed to the sport as a scout for the Toronto Blue Jays in Latin America. His legacy was honored in 2023 when he was inducted into the Atlanta Braves‘ Hall of Fame.

Carty’s career statistics include a .299 batting average with 204 home runs and 1,677 hits. His impact on the game, particularly as a pioneer for Dominican players in Major League Baseball, remains celebrated. Condolences have been extended to his family, friends, and fans, all remembering Carty fondly, «The Beeg Boy» as he was affectionately known, for his remarkable contributions to the sport.