Gary Carter

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Carter's tenure with the Mets began on April 9, 1985, when he hit a walk-off home run in the tenth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals for his first game victory in New York. The team won 98 games that year but lost the division crown by three games. In 1986, Carter helped lead the Mets to 108 wins and an NL East title. His most defining moments arrived in the postseason: he hit a walk-off RBI single in Game 5 of the NLCS against the Houston Astros to secure a victory, and in Game 6 of the World Series against the Boston Red Sox, he started a two-out rally with a single that led to three runs in the tenth inning. Carter also hit an eighth-inning sacrifice fly to tie Game 6 before the Mets completed their comeback. He finished fourth on the NL MVP ballot that year.

In Their Own Story

The pressure was immense during the 1986 World Series against the Boston Red Sox. In Game Four, Carter hit two home runs over Fenway Park's Green Monster, becoming the only player to hit two home runs in both an All-Star Game and a World Series game. Later, in Game Six, the Mets trailed in the tenth inning. With two outs, Carter stepped up and singled against the Red Sox, sparking a rally that scored three runs and turned the tide of the series. He also contributed with an eighth-inning sacrifice fly to tie the game earlier in the contest. These clutch contributions were instrumental in the Mets winning the championship in seven games. Beyond the stats, his leadership was vital; he served as co-captain alongside Keith Hernandez from 1987 through 1988, guiding the team even during slumps.

Reader's Guide

Gary Carter's impact on the New York Mets is defined by his arrival in December 1984 and his immediate contribution to the team's success. He hit a career-high 32 home runs and drove in 100 runs in his first full season with the club (1985), helping the team reach the division race. His partnership with Keith Hernandez, who was named captain the previous season, solidified a leadership duo that carried the Mets through 1986's historic run. Carter played five seasons for New York, hitting 89 home runs and driving in 349 runs before being released in November 1989. During his time there, he broke Bill Freehan's career record of 9,941 putouts by a catcher, ending the 1988 season with 10,360. His ability to handle pitchers and lead from behind the plate made him a cornerstone of the franchise's most successful era.

Did You Know?

• Carter is the only player in history to hit two home runs in both an All-Star Game (1981) and a single World Series game (Game 4, 1986).
• He was one of several players named captain of the New York Mets.
• Carter broke the career putout record for catchers held by Al López, finishing with 10,360 putouts in 1989.
• In his final career at-bat on September 27, 1992, he grounded out to second base.
• Carter was the first Hall of Famer whose plaque depicts him as a member of the Montreal Expos, despite winning his World Series with the Mets.