I can't claim to have watched Gary Carter play -- I'm a bit too young for that -- but it's always a sad day when baseball loses one of its legends. Carter passed away last night at the age of 57, around nine months after being diagnosed with multiple brain tumors.
There are multiple obituaries and takes on Carter out there right now, and I'm finding myself overwhelmed by some of the stories. He was The Kid, the perennial fan favorite that busted his butt even during Spring Training and never had a smile far from his face. He was a devoted family-man -- a classy, wholesome player that set himself apart by his actions on and off the field. Reading all these stories about him, I'm sad that I never got to enjoy following him.
The baseball world keeps spinning, though, and there are some other articles to pass along today as well. Enjoy:
- The A.J. Burnett-Pirates deal might finally be completed over the next day or so. From the recent rumors, it sounds all but completed, with the Pirates taking on $13 million in salary and sending over two non-roster players to the Yanks.
- No Rays appeared on the "Best Curveballs of 2011" list -- although I'd argue that Matt Moore would have show up there if he had pitched more -- but there was one Rays pitcher that made the Worst Pitches list: Wade Davis. His changeup was quite ineffective last year.
- I'm late on this news, but as you probably saw in the recent FanShot by Vin, the Rays have turned D.J. Kitty into a full-fledged mascot (h/t to Rays Index for finding this first). It sounds like D.J. Kitty will make his (her?) first appearance at Fan Fest this weekend.
- If you're ever confused by some of the arcane statistics we toss around here on a daily basis, Amanda Rykoff put together a sabermetric primer over at espnW. It's well worth the read.
- As a sign of how slow the news cycle has been recently, the story about Johnny Damon's quest for 3,000 hits just won't die. Dave Allen took a look over at FanGraphs and found that Damon did expand his zone last season and swing at more pitches, and Joe Posnanski put together a thoughtful piece on how 3,000 hits would impact Damon's Hall of Fame chances. I don't think Damon deserves to be in even with that milestone, but...well, that's certainly going to make for an interesting debate.
I remember hating Gary Carter because I thought he was a fake and an attention whore
In retrospect, I probably hated him because he owned Steve Carlton. But reading all the obits makes me feel like shit, like the guy who hated Gandhi.
So, rest in peace, Kid. Say ‘Hi’ to Jesus for me.
nomoredevil - February 17, 2012
Same as me bro.
I never liked him either because he was a Phillie killer.
DeadeyeRR - February 17, 2012
Very nice
sternfan1 - February 17, 2012
Disliked him as an Expo
got to know him as a Mets fan. I’ll always treasure 1986, but the trickle of detail about what that team that thrilled me that summer was composed of even makes this liberal blush. Real scary crew, lacking most basic morals and constraint.
And in the middle if that was Gary Carter. Probably the only guy on that team not to step on the field thinking about the next coke line, the next shot of Jack Daniels,the next groupie…God, that line of thought can be a mind trap.
My final memory of the man will be him smiling with his daughter next to him at one of the last games he coached for his college gig. About 2 weeks ago. Man is terminal with brain fucking cancer and he is smiling. Probably in more pain than I can imagine, certainly in more pain than I’ve ever experienced.
I hope I can remember his smile in that picture the next time I think life is hard.
tampa_edski - February 17, 2012
RIP GC.
Somewhere “Friend” of the site Jonah Keri is weeping.
DeadeyeRR - February 17, 2012
.
Sandy Kazmir - February 17, 2012
R.I.P. Gary Carter.
He was my favorite ballplayer growing up and still have a picture of The Kid and Dr. K in my office at home.
Peter Piontek - February 17, 2012
.
Sandy Kazmir - February 17, 2012
its the hall of fame not the hall of statistics, sandy.
rglass44 - February 17, 2012
Your bad clubhouse vibes are bringing me down, man. More like DRB Hall of Very Good
Sandy Kazmir - February 17, 2012
Good character=white.
mr. maniac - February 17, 2012
Isn't he a native American?
sternfan1 - February 17, 2012
Haha. No.
Vin - February 17, 2012
His mother is from Thailand.
SRQman - February 17, 2012
You forgot to mention the Red Sox signed Ross Ohlendorf
Now they’re locks to win the ALE and WS
benderbrodriguez - February 17, 2012
Sheeeeeit.
Not when the Rays counter with Brad Coon, Jeff Salazar and Chris Gimenez.
Vin - February 17, 2012
I guess great smile = toothy overbite grin
pudieron89 - February 17, 2012
No mention of the Chris Gimenez signing?
eh?
Alex Eveland - February 17, 2012
Impact signing--I thought this site was usually on top of things.
sc_monsta1015 - February 17, 2012
I'm really busy with a massive project right now, so I'm not going to be able to get something up on that.
I’ll frontpage the fanshot though.
mr. maniac - February 17, 2012
Interesting out of option players available this ST
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/02/out-of-options-2012.html
Some guys who stand out as potential pick-ups(and may be in battles for positions on their respective teams) if the Rays can create some room on the roster.
Brayan Pena(Royals),Brandon Allen (A’s), Craig Tatum(Astros),Shelly Duncun (Indians), Don Kelly(Tigers), Chris Denorfia(Padres). Still think that with the A’s surplus that guys like Chris Carter, Micheal Taylor, Kila Ka’aihue couldn’t be had for peanuts to add depth and potential to DH/OF/1st base for the Rays.
Also of note is that Fuld, Neimann. Lobaton and E. Johnson are out of options and could be moved in the right deal for a needed part before OD.
budman3 - February 17, 2012
Guys, I stumbled on this gem.
http://winmethod.blogspot.com/
Awesome stuff.
mr. maniac - February 17, 2012
Im sure Joey has family up there in New York, right?
BossmanJunior333 - February 17, 2012 via mobile
It has been a long nap, hasn't it?
mr. maniac - February 17, 2012
OMG . . . I am dumber from reading that garbage
ShawnTSA - February 17, 2012 via mobile
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