TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY

February 16 2012 – Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter dies of brain cancer in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.

Gary Carter, "The Kid," emerged as the best catcher in the National League as Johnny Bench began to wane. Carter starred in Montreal until he was traded to the Mets prior to the 1985 season. In New York, he blasted a game-winning 10th-inning homer on opening day and helped lead the Mets to a World Series title in 1986, guiding a talented pitching staff and supplying a clutch bat. His single in Game Six of the 1986 World Series started the three-run rally that shocked the Boston Red Sox and forced a seventh game.

Like most catchers, Carter aged quickly, but not before he established himself as the best catcher in the National League in the 1980s.

Nicknamed "the Kid" for his youthful exuberance, Carter was named an All-Star 11 times, Won 2 AS Game MVPs, 3 Gold Gloves, 5 SS, and was a key member of the 1986 World Series champion Mets. He is one of four players to be named a Captain of the NY Mets and was the first player to wear a Montreal Expo hat in Cooperstown when he was inducted in 2003. His #8 was retired by the Expo franchise.

Carter joked he wanted a half-and-half hat, but Dale Petroskey declared that Carter's achievements with the Expos over 12 seasons had earned his induction, whereas his five seasons with the Mets alone would not have. He said, "We want to have represented on the plaque the team that best represents where a player made the biggest impact in his career. When you look at it, it's very clear. Gary Carter is an important part of the history of the Expos."

The Montreal Expos, who were my favorite strat o matic team back in the day, made their only playoff appearance in 1981; Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau once remarked: "I am certainly happy that I don't have to run for election against Gary Carter." Over two series the Kid hit .429 in 10 games hitting 2 homeruns and driving in 6.

Carter punished the Red Sox in the 86 World Series with 2 hrs and 9 RBIs in the seven-game classic.

It is hard to believe the Expos tried to make him an outfielder on multiple occasions because he was an outstanding catcher; his 810 baserunners caught stealing are the most for any major-league catcher since the end of the dead-ball era when stolen bases were more prevalent he ended up catching the most games in NL history at the time of his retirement, he broke the 100-assist barrier in 1977, he joined Johnny Bench and Jim Sundberg as the only major-league catchers to have more than 100 assists in a season since the end of World War II. He also ranked 7th in both homers as a catcher 307 and RBIS 1225.

Carter is also in the New York Mets Hall of Fame, Canadian Hall of Fame, and Washington Nationals Ring of Honor. His number 8 has never been worn by a Mets player since he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003.

The 11th edition of the Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, published in 2012, credits Carter, who rarely used profanity, with the first recorded term "f-bomb."

Gary sadly passed away at the young age of 57.

Historic Days!

February 16 1950 — Former Giants Mel Ott and Bill Terry are the top vote-getters, but fail to be elected into the Hall of Fame.

February 16, 1952, Hall of Famer Honus Wagner announces his retirement after a lifetime in baseball. The 77-year-old Wagner had served for 50+ years as a player and coach. He receives a pension from the Pittsburgh Pirates, with whom he spent most of those years. Wagner, a career .327 hitter, was one of the first five players elected to the Hall of Fame in 1936, along with Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, and Christy Mathewson.

February 16, 1961, Hall of Famer Clarence “Dazzy” Vance dies at the age of 69. Vance went 197-140 over a 16-year career. Vance led the National League in wins in 1924 and ’25 with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

February 16 1961 — Charlie Finley purchases the outstanding 48 percent of the Athletics stock to become their sole owner.

February 16, 1967 — Red Ruffing, the former Yankee pitcher who authored 273 major league wins over 22 seasons, is selected to be in the Hall of Fame by getting the most votes on the second ballot made necessary as a result of the BBWAA failing to choose a player in January.

Passed away, February 16, 2001 Bob Buhl, Although he won in double figures six times with the Braves, this fast worker pitched in the shadows of Warren Spahn and Lew Burdette in the 1950s. A paratrooper in Korea in 1952, Buhl broke in with the Braves in 1953 and went 13-8 (2.97). In 1956 a fractured finger on his pitching hand in August kept him from winning 20; he finished 18-8. His herky-jerky motion caused arm problems, and though he missed a month in 1957, he went 18-7 (2.74 ERA) to help Milwaukee win the pennant.

February 16 2012 - Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter dies of brain cancer in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. After becoming a perennial All-Star with the Montreal Expos, Carter led the New York Mets to a World Series title in 1986.

Todays featured clip:

TRIVIA

TRIVIA: Gary Carter finished 2nd in the NL MVP Award and 6 years later he finished 3rd. What player won both years?

A. Andre Dawson

B. Mike Schmidt

C. Keith Hernandez

D. Dale Murphy

Answer in tomorrows newsletter

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Birthday Boys!

 ANSWER TO YESTERDAY’S TRIVIA

TRIVIA: Hank Greenberg became the first AL MVP Award winner at two different positions, can you name the other three?

A. A Rod

B. Jimmie Foxx

C. Joe DiMaggio

D. Robin Yount

E. Yogi Berra

F. Cal Ripken, Jr

G. Frank Thomas

H. Mickey Mantle

I. Reggie Jackson

Alex Rodriguez (2003, 2005, 2007)

2003 (Texas Rangers, SS): Won the MVP as a shortstop, leading the league in home runs (47) and RBIs (118).

2005 & 2007 (New York Yankees, 3B): After being traded to the Yankees, Rodriguez shifted to third base, winning MVPs at this new position with outstanding offensive seasons.

Miguel Cabrera (2012, 2013)

2012 (Detroit Tigers, 3B): Won the MVP during his Triple Crown season, playing primarily at third base.

2013 (Detroit Tigers, 1B): Won again while playing mostly at first base, following a position switch to accommodate team needs.

Robin Yount (1982, 1989)

1982 (Milwaukee Brewers, SS): MVP as a shortstop, helping lead the Brewers to the World Series with a stellar offensive season.

1989 (Milwaukee Brewers, CF): After moving to center field due to arm issues, Yount captured another MVP with consistent offensive production and strong defense in the outfield.

Passings.

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