The Kid Becomes the Old Veteran

Gary Carter earned the nickname “Kid” as a 19-year old rookie in 1973 for his enthusiasm. More than a decade later, Carter was a 31-year-old veteran leader on a Mets team setting National League records. In this weekend series against the Cincinnati Reds, Carter made a huge impact on the Saturday afternoon game. With the Mets clinging to a 2-1 lead, Carter’s two-run home run in the 8th inning helped lift New York to a 5-1 win at home. Though his offensive production dipped slightly, Carter’s leadership, particularly with the team’s young pitching staff, earned him enough NL MVP votes to finish third in balloting that season.