Rico Carty, amongst the first MLB players born in the Dominican Republic, passed away this morning after a two-week hospitalization in Atlanta for intestinal troubles. Carty was 85.
Carty's passing comes less than two months after the death of Ozzie Virgil, Sr., the first Dominican born player to suit up in MLB. Originally from San Pedro de Macoris, Carty signed with the Milwaukee Braves in 1959 after playing in the Pan American Games that year in Chicago.
Carty made his MLB debut with the Braves late in 1963 before making an immediate impact during his rookie season in 1964. In 133 games, Carty hit .330 with 22 HR and 88 RBI finishing runner up in NL Rookie of the Year balloting behind Dick Allen of the Philadelphia Phillies. Carty's .330 batting average was second only to Roberto Clemente who captured the second of four NL batting titles for his career with a .339 mark.
After hitting .310 and .326 in 1965 and 1966 as the team moved from Milwaukee to Atlanta, Carty slipped to .255 in 1967 before missing the entire 1968 season with tuberculosis. Carty would rebound in 1969 hitting .342. Although Carty did not have enough plate appearances to qualify for the NL batting race, he would be a key contributor to the Braves reaching the post-season capturing the inaugural NL West title even if they were situated well east of the Mississippi.
Carty would reach the pinnacle of his career in 1970 capturing his lone NL batting title with a .366 mark along with 25 HR and 101 RBI. That year, Carty would make his only NL All Star Team as a write in candidate sharing the outfield with Braves teammate Hank Aaron and Willie Mays.
Unfortunately, Carty would shatter his knee playing Winter Ball forcing him to miss the entire 1971 season. That year, Carty sustained a serious eye injury when he was assaulted by three white Atlanta police officers. Atlanta Mayor Sam Massell suspended the three officers involved calling their actions "blatant brutality."
Carty would struggle with the Braves in 1972, and the team finally parted ways with him trading him to the Texas Rangers for journeyman pitcher Jim Panther. The Rangers envisioned Carty as their first DH given his limited defensive abilities as an outfielder. However, Carty struggled in the role, and he would soon be traded to the Chicago Cubs. Carty would clash with Cubs legend Ron Santo and Carty would finish the season with the Oakland A's but would be released before the post-season so he would not enjoy a World Series ring.
A stint in the Mexican League would help Carty regain his form and the Cleveland Indians would sign him late in the 1974 season. Carty would serve as the Tribe's regular DH from 1975 through 1977. In 1978, Carty split the season with the Toronto Blue Jays and the Oakland A's belting a career high 31 HR at the age of 39. Carty would return to Toronto for the 1979 season where he would wind down his 15-year big league career. In 1651 games played, Carty collected 1677 hits for a lifetime batting average of .299 with 204 HR and 890 RBI. Carty hit .300 or better 8 times in his career.
In 2023, Carty was inducted into the Braves Hall of Fame. R.I.P.
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