More Than Just A Smile
"With the passing of Carter this winter, we wanted to pay tribute to the Hall of Fame player who spent 12 seasons with the Montreal Expos," said Lake Monsters General Manager Nate Cloutier, "We have always had a connection with Montreal, having spent 11 seasons (1994-2004) as an affiliate of the Expos, and want to celebrate the career of an all-time great Expo."
Former Expos first-round pick, Steve Rogers, who was Carter's battery mate when he pitched for Montreal from 1973-1985, likes the idea of honoring players with bobbleheads.
"It is a fun and current way to be remembered, because players take pride in having a bobblehead." Rogers said, "The Hall of Fame is the biggest way to be remembered, and he has both."
Carter, who passed away in February, was drafted by Montreal in the third round of the 1972 draft, choosing a career baseball over a football scholarship to UCLA. Originally a shortstop, Carter made the transition to behind the plate throughout his time in the minor leagues.
"He was that good of an athlete and it's testimony to his skill set" said Rogers, "It was the rough spots that made him the kind of catcher good enough to get into the Hall of Fame."
Carter made his debut with the Expos in a short stint in September 1974, hitting his first major league home run off Steve Carlton. In 1975, Carter split time between right field and catching, hitting .270 with 17 home runs and 68 RBIs, his first, full big league season. Over the next 16 seasons, Carter went on to become an 11-time All-Star, hitting .262 lifetime with 324 home runs and 1,225 RBI to go with three Gold Gloves as a catcher.
Though he spent the majority of his career north of the border in Montreal, Carter also spent several seasons with New York Mets, which he helped lead to the 1986 World Series championship.
"The one thing I remember about Gary was his smile." Carter's former teammate Mookie Wilson said in February through a Mets' press release, "He loved life and loved to play the game of baseball."
In addition to the Lake Monsters, the Mets and city of Montreal have also honored the memory of Gary Carter. During an Opening Day ceremony at Citi Field, the Mets announced that the team would dedicate the 2012 season to him, and in February, the Montreal city council voted to name a street or place after the late Expo.
"Being able to have him behind the plate and work with him...was a huge benefit, we learned how to play the game together." Rogers said of his former teammate, "His and mine relationships grew at the same time, our personal and professional relationship was as good as you can get."
From the time that he began in the minor leagues, Carter had been given the nickname "Kid", mostly for the youthful exuberance and passion he brought to the ballpark each day. But as Rogers says, there was more than just a nice smile to Gary Carter.
"He was always smiling, but there is not a player out there that wouldn't tell you that he was a gamer, because underneath that smile was someone who would strap it on .. and work hard."
"99 percent of guys who played against him knew what heart and guts lie beneath his chest. You don't' smile your way to the Hall of Fame, you play your way into the Hall of Fame."
It was in 2003 that Carter was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Receiving just under 80 percent of the vote, Carter was inducted alongside eight time all-star outfielder Eddie Murray, as well as current Milwaukee Brewers broadcaster Bob Uecker. During his speech for the induction ceremony, Carter spoke of the journey he had in reaching the major leagues.
"I was blessed with a gift and I thank the Lord above for the wonderful, wonderful opportunity to have played this great game of baseball", Carter said during his speech, "I've always been a fan of the game first, and a player second. Maybe that's why I had the love and passion for this great game so much."
For ticket availability to the August 18th or any game, please visit vermontlakemonsters.com or call (802) 655-6611.