Sunday was a sad day for Dominican baseball and the MLB world in general.
Outfielder/first baseman Rico Carty passed away in Atlanta, Georgia, at 85 years old.
Carty had an underrated MLB career that saw him hit .299 with 204 home runs and 890 RBI.
He played for six different franchises from 1963 to 1979: the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves, the Texas Rangers, the Chicago Cubs, the Oakland Athletics, the Cleveland Guardians (then Indians) and the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Guardians didn’t forget about him, as he gave them four solid seasons in which he showcased contact, power and on-base ability.
The team sent its condolences after learning the sad news.
“The Cleveland Guardians are sadden to learn of the passing of Rico Carty. (He) was a member of the club from 1974-1977. While in Cleveland, he amassed 47 home runs and a .303 average. Our thoughts are with his family and friends,” they posted on X.
The Cleveland Guardians are sadden to learn of the passing of Rico Carty.
Carty was a member of the club from 1974-1977. While in Cleveland, he amassed 47 home runs and a .303 average.
Our thoughts are with his family and friends. #ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/91RbANWiEt
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) November 25, 2024
During his peak, Carty was quite the offensive weapon.
He was capable of doing what every hitter should feel proud of accomplishing: a .300/.400/.500 season.
He did it twice early in his career and was close to achieving it with the Guardians a couple of times.
Also during his peak, he was capable of keeping his strikeout rate under 10% and actually walked almost as much as he struck out, showing incredible plate discipline.
He made one All-Star team and won a batting title in the National League, both in 1970.
He was, at one point, among the leaders in home runs in his native Dominican Republic’s league.
Baseball will miss him.
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