Ducks Sign Catcher and Hall of Famer Gary Carter As New Manager
Published on December 10, 2008 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Long Island Ducks News Release
(Central Islip, N.Y., Nov. 7, 2008) - The Long Island Ducks today announced former Major League catcher and Hall of Famer Gary Carter will become the fourth manager in the history of the franchise. The Ducks will introduce Carter as manager at a 1:00 p.m. press conference on Monday at Citibank Park.
"As we head into our 10th anniversary season, we are excited to have Gary on board to lead our team," says Ducks principal owner Frank Boulton. "He has had great success in baseball both as a player and a manager, and we are confident he will help bring an Atlantic League championship back to Long Island."
Carter spent the first 11 seasons of his big league career with the Montreal Expos, winning Rookie of the Year honors in 1975, and helping guide the franchise to its lone postseason appearance in 1981. He finished second in National League MVP voting in 1980 and, beginning that year, claimed three consecutive Gold Glove awards as a catcher. The California native was named the MVP of the All-Star Game in 1981 and again in 1984, and later that season was acquired in a trade by the New York Mets. "The Kid" was a part of two National League East Division winners in Queens, as the Mets enjoyed the most successful five year period in franchise history with Carter as their backstop. His two-out, two-strike base hit sparked the Mets three-run rally in the bottom of the 10th inning in Game Six of the 1986 World Series, while his two home runs and nine RBI in the series paced the Amazin's to their second world title. Following his time with New York, Carter spent a season each with the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers before finishing out his 19-year career in 1992 with one more season in Montreal. All told, Carter appeared in 11 All-Star Games, including 10 straight from 1979-1988, and won five NL Silver Slugger Awards in addition to his Gold Gloves. In 2003, he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Following his induction, Carter began a second career in baseball as a manager, and, like he did in his playing days, had immediate success. He was named Gulf Coast League and Florida State League Manager of the Year in 2005 and 2006, respectively, and won the Florida State League championship in 2006 with the St. Lucie Mets. This past season, Carter helmed the Orange County Flyers to a championship in the Golden Baseball League, and was named that league's Manager of the Year as well.
"I'm very excited to be back in New York, and to have the opportunity to manage a first class organization like this one," says Carter. "I'm ready to go, and we're looking forward to seeing everybody on Monday at Citibank Park."
The Ducks won the second half Liberty Division championship in 2008, but were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs for a fourth straight year. Long Island has qualified for the postseason a league record five consecutive times, winning its lone championship in the team's first playoff appearance in 2004.
The Long Island Ducks play their home games at Citibank Park and have played nine seasons in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. For further information, visit www.liducks.com, or call (631) 940-3825.
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- Ducks Sign Catcher and Hall of Famer Gary Carter As New Manager - Long Island Ducks
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