ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Rico Carty, a former Atlanta Braves star, has died at 85, the team announced on Sunday.
Also known as “Beeg Boy,” Carty paved history as one of the first Dominican baseball players in the major leagues. He was inducted into the Braves Hall of Fame in 2023.
According to Listin Diario, a Dominican Republic newspaper, Rico died in an Atlanta hospital on Saturday. He had reportedly been there for two weeks.
“Few players in franchise history connected with Braves fans like Rico Carty,” the Braves said in a statement. “…. While his on-field accomplishments will never be forgotten, his unforgettable smile and generous nature will be sorely missed.”
Carty played for the Braves in the ‘60s and ‘70s, helping bring the team to its first National League Western Division title win in 1969. He was also a 1970 National League All-Star with a .366 batting average, which remains the franchise’s modern-era single-season record, the Braves said.
Carty also played for several other teams, including the Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians and Toronto Blue Jays.
