Status: Hall of Fame MLB catcher from 1974-92 with Montreal Expos, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers.
DOB: April 8, 1954 In: Culver City, CA
Sports Heroes/Inspirations: “Well, first of all, it would have to be my father. And second of all, I’d have to say Mickey Mantle. When I was involved in ‘Punt, Pass & Kick’ contests – which I was one of the very first winners in 1961 as a seven-year-old, I’d have to say back then I was a Rams fan and I liked Roman Gabriel. Basketball – I’ve admired and respected the great respect than Michael Jordan had. I followed the Lakers and loved Jerry West and Elgin Baylor and Wilt Chamberlain and that group.”
Early Basetball Memory: “I was just excited to have a uniform. And I got that when I was eight-years-old. And then, obviously, when I signed professionally, to play in my first Major League game which was in September if ‘74. And never had to look back, I mean, it was a dream come true. That’s what every young kid thinks about when they first put on a uniform – is to play in the Major League and then, ultimately, play in a World Series. To me, that was the ultimate, winning in ‘86.”
Favorite Meal: “Steak and potatoes.”
Favorite Breakfast Cereal: “Cap’n Crunch with Crunchberries.”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Pralines and cream.”
Nicknames: “The Kid, Kid Carter.”
Favorite Movies: “Baseball movies would have to be Field Of Dreams – that one little segment at the end, when it says, Hey dad, do you want to have a catch? For The Love Of The Game. I’ve got a lot, my wife and I are big movie-goers. So I’d have to say I’ve got a lot of favorites.”
Favorite TV Shows: “I like Friends, and I liked Joey.”
Musical Tastes: “I like mellow music. I like some jazz. But I’m not a big hard rock guy.”
First Job: “Was a nerspaper boy – Fullerton News Tribune.”
First Car: “1963 Ford Fairlane – ugly beige/brown – that my father gave me.”
Pre-Game Feeling: “To win, nothing more.”
Greatest Sports Moment: “Was as a team winning the World Series. Gotta be the 1986 World Series, no question. Personally – getting inducted into the Hall of Fame.”
Most Painful Moment: “[Laughs] Ten knee surgeries. I had my knee replaced. Comes along with the territory.”
Funny Baseball Memory: “Just being around the guys always made me laugh. I like the three-man lift deal. It’s kind of a tradition that you get a rookie, put him in the middle, wrap your arms and legs around him, then douse him with everything you can get a hold of – shaving cream, ketchup, mustard, everything. It’s kind of like a pie in the face after a guy is successful. (Who did you get?) Oh gosh, every rookie that came through. Anybody that was gullible enough to accept that.”
Closest Baseball Friends: “Jerry Royster, Tommy Hutton, Jeff Reardon – the ones that I’ve been around.”
Funniest Players Encountered: “Oh my goodness, Roger McDowell would have to be number one.”
Family: Wife, Sandy; children, DJ, Christy, Kimmy; three grandkids.
Career Accomplishments: 11-time All-Star; Two-time All-Star Game MVP (1981, 1984); Won three Gold Gloves; Recipient of Roberto Clemente Award in 1989; World Champion with Mets in 1986; .262 career batting average with 324 HRs and 1,225 RBI.
Topics: 1963 Ford Fairlane, Breakfast Cereal, Culver City Ca, Elgin Baylor, Hall Of Fame Mlb, Hey Dad, Los Angeles Dodgers, Mellow Music, Mickey Mantle, Montreal Expos, Movie Goers, New York Mets, Pralines And Cream, Punt Pass, Roman Gabriel, San Francisco Giants, Sports Heroes, Sports Moment, Steak And Potatoes, Wilt Chamberlain
Classic Biofile with Gary Carter | 