CLEVELAND — Rico Carty, who won the 1970 NL batting title when he hit a major league-best .366 for the Atlanta Braves before resurrecting his career with the Cleveland Indians, has died. He was 85.
Major League Baseball, the players' association and the Braves paid tribute to Carty on social media on Sunday. A family friend told Listín Diario — a newspaper in Carty's native Dominican Republic — that he died Saturday night in an Atlanta hospital.
"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," the players' association said in its statement.
The Braves said Carty, affectionately nicknamed "Beeg Boy," left an indelible mark on the organization.
"While his on-field accomplishments will never be forgotten, his unforgettable smile and generous nature will be sorely missed," the team said in its statement.
Carty made his big league debut with the Braves in September 1963. He batted .330 with 22 homers and 88 RBIs in his first full season in 1964, finishing second to Dick Allen in voting for NL Rookie of the Year.
The Braves moved from Milwaukee to Atlanta after the 1965 season, and Carty got the franchise's first hit in its new home on April 12, 1966, against Pittsburgh.
Carty had his best year in 1970, batting .366 with 25 homers and a career-best 101 RBIs. He started the All-Star Game after he was elected as a write-in candidate, joining Willie Mays and Henry Aaron in the NL outfield.
After leaving Atlanta, Carty bounced around MLB and the Mexican League before signing with the Indians in 1974. Previously plagued by inconsistent play, he experienced a renaissance in Cleveland and became a fan favorite, hitting .303 over parts of four seasons as the Tribe's designated hitter. In 1976, he posted a .310 average with 13 home runs and 83 RBIs to capture the local BBWAA's Man of the Year Award.
Despite Carty's talent, he also had a reputation for clashing with teammates and clubs, including Aaron with the Braves. Paul Hoynes of 3News media partner Cleveland.com recalled an incident where he called out manager Frank Robinson for a perceived lack of leadership during the Man of the Year banquet, and the two continued to butt heads before Robinson was fired in June of 1977.
Carty batted .299 with 204 homers and 890 RBIs over 15 years in the majors, also playing for Toronto, Oakland, Texas and the Chicago Cubs. He retired after the 1979 season.
