Rico Carty was a veteran Major League Baseball player best known for his time with the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves, winning the National League batting title in 1970 with a .366 average.
- Died: November 24, 2024 (Who else died on November 24?)
- Details of death: Died in Atlanta at the age of 85.
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Rico Carty’s legacy
Not long after winning the National League batting title in 1970 with a whopping .366 average, Carty’s career was almost ended when an altercation with police resulted in a beating so severe, his eyesight was temporarily impaired. When his eyesight returned to normal, he abandoned the idea of a lawsuit and finished out a career as one of the era’s great hitters.
Born in the Dominican Republic, Carty signed with the Milwaukee Braves in 1959 and made the leap to the majors in 1964. He made a splash right away, finishing second to Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente for the batting title with a .330 average and just behind Dick Allen for Rookie for the Year. After missing the 1968 season with tuberculosis, he came back stronger than ever, hitting .342 and helping the Braves – by then, in Atlanta – reach the post-season for the first time since 1958.
His 1970 season was Carty’s best, due to his .366 average paired with 25 home runs and 102 RBI. He also had a 31-game hitting streak, earned NL Player of the Month honors that May, and made the only All-Star Game appearance of his career.
His off-season altercation in 1971 was sparked when Carty said two off-duty officers called him a racial slur. A fight ensued, and when an on-duty officer arrived on the scene, Carty was beaten with a blackjack. He suffered two black eyes and other injuries, and Atlanta Mayor Sam Massell called it “blatant brutality.” All charges against Carty were dropped, and the three officers were ultimately dismissed.
Though unrelated injuries plagued the rest of his career, Carty still managed to have several more strong seasons on five other teams. He retired after his 1979 season with 1,677 hits, 204 home runs, and a .299 career average. Carty is in the Braves Hall of Fame, as well as the Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame.
Tributes to Rico Carty
Full obituary: Associated Press
