Joe Carter

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Carter's time with the Blue Jays began in earnest after a trade from San Diego in 1990. In 1991, he helped Toronto win the AL East title, hitting the game-winning single that clinched the division. The following year, he contributed to the franchise's first World Series championship. In Game 6 of the 1992 Series against the Atlanta Braves, Carter hit one home run and recorded the final out on a groundout by Otis Nixon. His popularity was evident, though Phillies fans at Veterans Stadium did not give him a warm ovation during the 1993 World Series—they were, after all, rooting for their own team.

In Their Own Story

The defining moment of Carter's career occurred in Game 6 of the 1993 World Series. With the Blue Jays leading the series three games to two, they trailed 6–5 in the bottom of the ninth inning with one out and runners on base. On a 2–2 count against pitcher Mitch Williams, whom he had previously gone 0–4 against, Carter launched a three-run walk-off home run. It was only the second time a World Series ended with a home run, following Bill Mazeroski in 1960, and uniquely, it was the first time a player hit the series-ending home run while his team was trailing. As he rounded first base, his helmet came off and he jumped up and down repeatedly. Radio broadcaster Tom Cheek famously shouted, "Touch 'em all, Joe, you'll never hit a bigger home run in your life!" This swing secured the back-to-back championship for Toronto.

Reader's Guide

Carter played for the Blue Jays from 1991 through the 1997 season. During this span, he was named to the All-Star Game five times and won Silver Slugger Awards in 1991 and 1992. He led the team in home runs and RBIs in both 1994 and 1995. In 1993, he set an American League record by hitting three home runs in a game for the fifth time in his career. Carter was also the first player to record 100 RBIs for three different teams in three consecutive seasons. He concluded his Blue Jays tenure with his tenth and final season of at least 100 RBIs in 1997. Before retiring, he played briefly for the Baltimore Orioles and San Francisco Giants in 1998, ending his career by popping out to end a one-game playoff against the Chicago Cubs.

Did You Know?

• Carter is one of only two players to end a World Series with a home run, joining Bill Mazeroski (1960), and the only one to do so while trailing in the bottom of the ninth.
• In Game 6 of the 1992 World Series, Carter recorded the final out on a groundout by Otis Nixon, but it was not the first World Series to end on a groundout.
• Carter is not the only Blue Jays player to hit two home runs in a single inning; Carlos Delgado and others have done it, and Carter never hit two home runs in one inning for the Blue Jays.
• He was involved in four of the most critical final plays in Blue Jays history: the 1991 division-clinching hit, the 1992 World Series final out, the 1993 ALCS final out, and the 1993 World Series-winning home run.
• In 1997, Carter snuck an unlicensed maple wood baseball bat manufactured by Sam Bat into a game.