Major League Baseball has lost one of its distinguished figures, Rico Carty, who held the title of the 1970 National League batting champion. Carty passed away on November 23, 2024, at the age of 85. A family friend confirmed to Listín Diario, a Dominican Republic newspaper, that he passed away in an Atlanta, Georgia hospital on Saturday night.
Ricardo Adolfo Jacobo Carty, born on September 1, 1939, in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic, began his professional baseball journey after representing the Dominican Republic in the 1959 Pan American Games. Carty signed with the Milwaukee Braves as a free agent in 1959 and started his Major League career in September 1963.
In his rookie season in 1964, Carty showcased remarkable talent, batting .330 with 22 home runs and 88 RBIs, which landed him in second place in the National League Rookie of the Year voting, behind Dick Allen.
Following the Braves’ relocation to Atlanta, Georgia after the 1965 season, Carty made the franchise’s first hit in their new home on April 12, 1966, against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Carty reached the height of his career in 1970 when he led the Major Leagues with a .366 batting average, earning the National League batting title. In the same year, he was elected to start the All-Star Game as a write-in candidate, sharing the National League outfield with baseball legends Willie Mays and Hank Aaron.
Throughout a career spanning 15 years, Carty played for multiple teams, including the Cleveland Indians, Toronto Blue Jays, Oakland Athletics, Texas Rangers, and Chicago Cubs. When he retired after the 1979 season, he left with a career batting average of .299, 204 home runs, and 890 RBIs.
The influence of Carty on baseball extends beyond his impressive performance on the field. He was among the initial Latino stars to make a significant impact in the Major Leagues, becoming a hero to millions in his native Dominican Republic, his birthplace of San Pedro de Macorís, and Atlanta, Georgia, where he symbolized resilience and motivation for future athletes during a period of societal transition.
In 2023, Carty’s contributions to the sport were recognized with his induction into the Braves Hall of Fame. The Braves honored him in a statement saying, “While his on-field accomplishments will never be forgotten, his unforgettable smile and generous nature will be sorely missed.”
Both Major League Baseball and the Players’ Association paid their respects to Carty, acknowledging his pioneering contributions and lasting legacy in the sport.
The death of Carty signals the end of an era for many baseball enthusiasts who remember his extraordinary skills and charismatic personality. His legacy as a pathfinder for Latino players and his significant contributions to the sport will continue to be celebrated and remembered for years to come.
