Joe Carter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Joe Carter |
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Carter in 2017
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| Outfielder / First baseman | |||
| Born: March 7, 1960 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| July 30, 1983, for the Chicago Cubs | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 28, 1998, for the San Francisco Giants | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .259 | ||
| Hits | 2,184 | ||
| Home runs | 396 | ||
| Runs batted in | 1,445 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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 Baseball Hall of Fame |
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| Induction | 2003 | ||
Joe Carter is a famous American former professional baseball player. He was born on March 7, 1960. Joe played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as an outfielder and first baseman. He played for several teams, including the Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, and San Francisco Giants.
Joe Carter is most famous for hitting a special walk-off home run that won the 1993 World Series for the Toronto Blue Jays. This amazing hit gave the Blue Jays their second championship in a row! He is one of only two players ever to end a World Series with a home run.
Contents
- Joe Carter's College Baseball Journey
- Joe Carter's Professional Baseball Career
- Life After Baseball
- Helping Others: Charity Work
- Awards and Special Honors
- Images for kids
Joe Carter's College Baseball Journey
Joe Carter went to Wichita State University for college. He was a fantastic player there. In 1981, a magazine called The Sporting News named him the College Player of the Year. He left college after his third year to start his professional career.
Joe Carter's Professional Baseball Career
Becoming a Pro: Draft and Minor Leagues
In the 1981 MLB draft, the Chicago Cubs picked Joe Carter as the second overall player. This meant they thought he was one of the best young players available. He started playing in the minor leagues in 1982. He did very well, hitting .319 with 25 home runs and 98 RBIs for the Midland Cubs. In 1983, he moved up to the AAA Iowa Cubs, where he continued to play great.
Playing for the Chicago Cubs (1983)
Joe Carter made it to the Major Leagues with the Cubs in 1983. He played in 23 games that year. In 1984, he started the season back in the minor leagues with the Iowa Cubs.
Time with the Cleveland Indians (1984–1989)
In June 1984, Joe Carter was traded to the Cleveland Indians. He had a fantastic season in 1986. That year, he led all of Major League Baseball with 121 runs batted in. He also had career highs in hits, total bases, and runs scored.
While in Cleveland, Joe became known as a powerful hitter. He often hit 35 home runs in a season and regularly drove in 100 or more runs. He was also a very good baserunner, stealing 20-30 bases each year. In 1987, Joe Carter joined the special 30–30 club. This means he hit 30 home runs and stole 30 bases in the same season!
Moving to the San Diego Padres (1990)
After a strong 1989 season, Carter was traded to the San Diego Padres. He continued to drive in runs for his team. However, he was soon traded again to the Toronto Blue Jays. This trade involved other big players like Roberto Alomar and Fred McGriff.
Becoming a Toronto Blue Jay (1991–1997)
Joe Carter's game improved a lot in 1991 when he joined the Toronto Blue Jays. He helped the team win their division title. He even hit the game-winning single that secured the championship for the American League East. He also became a strong leader for the team.
In 1992, Joe helped the Blue Jays win their first ever World Series championship. This was a huge moment, as it was the first time a Canadian-based team won the World Series. Carter hit two home runs in that series. He also made the final out of the Series by catching a throw at first base.
The Famous 1993 World Series Home Run
In 1993, the Toronto Blue Jays made it to the World Series again. They played against the Philadelphia Phillies. In Game 6, the Blue Jays were leading the series three games to two. The score was 6-5 in favor of the Phillies in the bottom of the ninth inning. There was one out, and two Blue Jays players were on base.
Joe Carter came to bat. With a 2-2 count (meaning two balls and two strikes), he hit a three-run walk-off home run! This incredible hit won the World Series for the Blue Jays. It was only the second time in history that a World Series ended with a home run. What made it even more special was that it was the only time a team won the World Series with a home run when they were behind in the bottom of the ninth inning.
After hitting the home run, Joe Carter jumped up and down with excitement. The Blue Jays' radio announcer, Tom Cheek, famously called the play: "Touch 'em all, Joe, you'll never hit a bigger home run in your life!"
Later Years with the Blue Jays (1994–1997)
Joe Carter continued to play for the Blue Jays until 1997. He led the team in home runs and RBIs in both 1994 and 1995. In 1996, he played in the All-Star Game, which was held in Philadelphia. Some fans booed him because of his famous home run that won the 1993 World Series against their team, the Phillies.
Final Season: Orioles and Giants (1998)
In 1998, Joe Carter became a free agent, meaning he could sign with any team. He played briefly for the Baltimore Orioles and then the San Francisco Giants before he retired. His career ended in a special one-game playoff against the Chicago Cubs.
Joe Carter's Career Highlights and Statistics
Joe Carter was chosen to play in five All-Star teams during his career. He hit a total of 396 home runs and drove in 1,445 runs. He had 10 seasons where he drove in 100 or more runs. This included the 1994 season, which was shorter due to a player strike.
Joe was the first player to get 100 RBIs for three different teams in three years in a row. In 1993, while with the Toronto Blue Jays, he set an American League record. He hit 3 home runs in a single game for the fifth time in his career.
Joe Carter was also part of the final plays in four different games where the Blue Jays won a championship:
- In 1991, he hit the game-winning single to win the American League East division.
- In the 1992 World Series, he caught the final out at first base.
- In the 1993 American League Championship Series, he caught the final out on a fly ball.
- In the 1993 World Series, he hit the famous walk-off home run in Game 6.
Life After Baseball
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After retiring from playing, Joe Carter worked as a baseball commentator. From 1999 to 2000, he talked about Toronto Blue Jays games on TV. Then, from 2001 to 2002, he was a commentator for the Chicago Cubs.
In 2003, Joe Carter was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame. This is a great honor for his contributions to baseball, especially with the Toronto Blue Jays. In 2015, fans voted him as one of the four most valuable players in Toronto Blue Jays history.
Helping Others: Charity Work
Joe Carter is also involved in charity work. He helps lead an event called the "Joe Carter Classic." This is a celebrity golf tournament held in the Toronto area. It started in 2010 and raises money for the Children's Aid Foundation. The tournament has raised over $2.5 million to help children in need. Many famous people, like Charles Barkley, have joined him at these events.
Awards and Special Honors
Joe Carter has received many awards and honors throughout his career:
- He was a 5-time All-Star (1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996).
- He won the Silver Slugger Award twice (1991, 1992).
- His name is on the Toronto Blue Jays Level of Excellence.
- In 1988, he was inducted into the Wichita State University Pizza Hut Shocker Hall of Fame.
- In 1999, he was inducted into the Missouri Valley Conference Hall of Fame.
- In 2003, he was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.
- In 2004, he was inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame.
- In 2008, he was inducted into the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame.
Images for kids
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Joe Carter (left) and his family with United States Secretary of Defense William Cohen at the Pentagon in 1998
