Rico Carty, born September 1, 1939, in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic, was the son of Daniel and Juana Carty. Initially interested in boxing, he shifted focus to baseball, where his raw talent quickly emerged. After signing with the Milwaukee Braves organization in 1959, Carty played for several minor league teams, including
the Dubuque Packers (Class D Midwest League) and the Austin Senators (Class AA Texas League). His strong performance in the minors earned him a call-up to the majors in 1963. Rico Carty had a stellar MLB career marked by his exceptional hitting. His first full major league season was outstanding with the Atlanta Braves in 1963. He hit .330 with 22 home runs and 88 RBIs, finishing second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting.
Bio
- Bats – Right
- Throws – Right
- Height – 6’3″
- Weight – 200lbs
- Birth Name – Ricardo Adolfo Jacobo Carty
- Nickname – Beeg Boy – Rico
From 1965–1969, Carty consistently hit over .300 when healthy, though injuries limited his games in several seasons. Carty’s peak year was 1970 when he won the National League batting title with a .366 average, alongside 25 home runs and 101 RBIs. He also played in his only All-Star Game. Despite his hitting prowess, injuries and a tuberculosis diagnosis in 1968 caused interruptions in his Braves tenure.
My mother wanted me to be a doctor, but I didn’t like that. My mother wouldn’t let me go to the ball field, but i used to steal time to play. I tell my mother I going to school but I used to go to the river and swim and play ball instead. I would have ended up in the mill but for baseball.
Rico Carty
After missing the entire 1971 and 1972 seasons due to injuries, Carty joined the Texas Rangers. He hit .232 with 8 home runs in 90 games, a modest season by his standards. Traded midseason, he had brief stints with both the Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics (1973), hitting a combined .254 with 4 home runs. With the Cleveland Indians (1974–1977) Carty revitalized his career as a designated hitter.
In 1975 he hit .308 with 18 home runs and 64 RBIs. In 1976, he had a strong .310 average, 13 home runs, and 83 RBIs. His tenure with the Indians solidified his reputation as a reliable offensive player despite limited defensive duties. He played one season for the expansion Toronto Blue Jays, hitting .284 with 19 home runs and 68 RBIs, showcasing his consistent bat even in his late 30s. Returning briefly to the Oakland Athletics (1978), he hit .277 with 3 home runs before retiring after the season.
Career
- Batting average: .299
- Home runs: 204
- RBI: 690
- Hits: 1,677
- Games: 1,651
Carty’s career was defined by his consistent ability to hit for average and power, even as injuries and health issues disrupted his playing time. Off the field, Carty was known for his humanitarian efforts, supporting underprivileged communities in the Dominican Republic. He earned an All-Star nod in 1970 and was inducted into the Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame. Carty’s personal life reflects resilience, as he overcame tuberculosis and injuries that could have ended his career.
Carty was one of the first groundbreaking Latino stars in the major leagues, and he established himself as a hero to millions in his native Dominican Republic, his hometown of San Pedro de Macoris, and the city of Atlanta, where he was a beloved fan favorite.
MLBPA
Few players in franchise history connected with Braves fans like Rico Carty. A fan-favorite almost instantly after the club arrived in Atlanta from Milwaukee in 1966, Rico left an indelible mark on the Braves organization. He owns the club’s first ever hit in the city of Atlanta. His +366 batting average in 1970 is the franchise’s modern-era single-season record. He was a 1970 National League All-Star and a 2023 Braves Hall of Fame inductee. And the left-field seats at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium will always be known as “Carty’s Corner.” While his on-field accomplishments will never be forgotten, his unforgettable smile and generous nature will be sorely missed. It is with a heavy heart we send our sincerest condolences to his family, friends, and numerous fans around the world.
The Atlanta Braves
His legacy remains significant in both baseball and his home country’s community development efforts. Rico Carty died in a hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, on Sunday, November 24, 2024, at the age of 85.
Further Reading
Sources
- Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rico_Carty
- SFGate “Rico Carty, who won the 1970 NL batting title with the Atlanta Braves, dies at 85” https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/rico-carty-who-won-the-1970-nl-batting-title-19939824.php
- USA Today “Rico Carty, 15-year MLB vet and former batting champ with Braves, dies at 85” https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2024/11/24/rico-carty-dies-1970-nl-batting-champion/76551022007/
- MSN “Rico Carty, who won the 1970 NL batting title with the Atlanta Braves, dies at 85” https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/world/rico-carty-who-won-the-1970-nl-batting-title-with-the-atlanta-braves-dies-at-85/ar-AA1uFu3o
- Fox 5 Sports “Rico Carty, who won the 1970 NL batting title with the Atlanta Braves, dies at 85” https://www.fox5atlanta.com/sports/atlanta-braves-rico-carty-dies-85
- Baseball Almanac “MLB Stats for Rico Carty” https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=cartyri01
- Baseball Reference “Rico Carty” https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Rico_Carty
