R.I.P. Rico Carty, former Blue Jays slugger
Former Toronto Blue Jays slugger Rico Carty died on Saturday night at the age of 85.
November 25, 2024
By Kevin Glew
Canadian Baseball Network
Former Toronto Blue Jays slugger Rico Carty has passed away at the age of 85.
Listín Diario shared that Carty died at a hospital in Atlanta on Saturday night. The Daily Mail reported that Carty had been hospitalized for two weeks with “intestinal ailments.”
Carty, who batted .269 with 32 home runs in 236 games in parts of two seasons with the Blue Jays in 1978 and 1979, had been the oldest living former Blue Jays player.
In 1978, the right-handed hitting slugger became the first Blue Jay to hit 20 home runs in a season for the club. Carty finished his major league career as a DH with the Blue Jays in 1979.
“We are saddened to learn of the passing of former Blue Jay and 15-year MLB veteran Rico Carty,” the Toronto Blue Jays said in a statement on Sunday. “A member of the Caribbean Baseball and Latino Baseball Halls of Fame and a humanitarian in the Dominican Republic - Carty’s legacy and impact will be remembered forever. Our thoughts are with his loved ones during this difficult time.”
Former Toronto Blue Jays slugger Rico Carty passed away on Saturday. Photo: Toronto Blue Jays
Born in San Pedro de Macoris, D.R. on September 1, 1939, Carty was signed as an amateur free agent by the Milwaukee Braves on October 24, 1959. After making his major league debut in 1963, the right-handed hitting outfielder quickly became one of the most feared hitters in the Braves’ lineup.
In 829 games in eight seasons with the Braves, he posted a .317 batting average, which is tied for the sixth-best in franchise history. He won a National League batting title with the Braves in 1970 when hit .363. For his efforts, he was named a National League All-Star. Carty also owns the highest career WAR of any left fielder in Braves’ franchise history.
On top of his tenures with the Braves and the Blue Jays, Carty also played for the Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, Oakland A’s and Cleveland. During his 15-season big league career, he hit over .300 eight times in a season – four times he batted better than .330.
In all, in 15 major league seasons, Carty hit .299 with 1,677 hits – including 204 home runs – in 1,651 games.
On August 19, 2023, Carty was elected to the Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame in a pre-game ceremony.
The Braves issued the following statement about Carty on Sunday morning:
Photo: Atlanta Braves