Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Joe Carter

How Joe Carter built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Joe Carter is a former American professional baseball player who played as an outfielder and first baseman in MLB. He played for several teams, including the Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, and San Francisco Giants. Carter is known for his game-winning home run in the 1993 World Series for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1981: Drafted by the Chicago Cubs

In the 1981 MLB draft, the Chicago Cubs chose Joe Carter with the second overall pick.

1982: Minor League Success

In 1982, Joe Carter began to blossom in the minor leagues, batting .319 with 25 home runs and 98 RBIs in 110 games for the Midland Cubs of the AA Texas League.

1983: Promotion to AAA Iowa Cubs

In 1983, Joe Carter was promoted to the AAA Iowa Cubs, where he batted .307 with 22 home runs and 83 RBIs in 124 games.

1983: Promotion to the Major Leagues

In 1983, the Cubs promoted Joe Carter to the major leagues. He hit .176 in 23 games.

June 13, 1984: Traded to the Cleveland Indians

On June 13, 1984, Joe Carter was traded with three other players to the Cleveland Indians for Rick Sutcliffe, George Frazier, and Ron Hassey.

1984: Back to Iowa

Joe Carter began the 1984 season back in Iowa.

1986: Breakout Season with the Indians

In 1986, Joe Carter enjoyed a breakout season with the Cleveland Indians, leading the major leagues with 121 runs batted in and recording career highs of 200 base hits, 341 total bases, and 108 runs scored.

1987: Member of the 30-30 Club

In 1987, Joe Carter became a member of the single-season 30–30 club for home runs/stolen bases.

1989: Traded to the San Diego Padres

After the 1989 season, the Indians traded Joe Carter to the San Diego Padres for prospects Sandy Alomar Jr., Carlos Baerga, and Chris James.

1991: Clinching single of AL East championship

In 1991, Joe Carter helped the Toronto Blue Jays win the division title and hit the game-winning single that clinched the AL East championship.

1991: Game-Winning Single

In 1991, Joe Carter hit the game-winning single to drive home Roberto Alomar and clinch the American League East division championship for the Blue Jays.

1992: Final Out of the 1992 World Series

In 1992, Joe Carter caught the final out at first base in the 1992 World Series.

1992: First World Series championship

In 1992, Joe Carter helped the Toronto Blue Jays win their first World Series championship, the first ever won by a Canadian-based team. Carter recorded the final out of the Series.

1993: Joe Carter wins the World Series

In 1993, Joe Carter hit a walk-off home run to win the World Series for the Toronto Blue Jays, their second consecutive championship.

1993: Championship Plays

In 1993, Joe Carter was involved in two key plays: catching the final out on a fly ball in the American League Championship Series, and hitting the walk-off home run in Game 6 of the World Series.

1993: Walk-off Home Run in Game 6 of the World Series

In 1993, during Game 6 of the World Series, Joe Carter hit a three-run walk-off home run off Phillies pitcher Mitch Williams to win the World Series for the Toronto Blue Jays.

1993: American League Record

In 1993, while a Toronto Blue Jay, Carter set an American League record when he hit 3 home runs in a game for the fifth time in his career.

1993: Two Home Runs in One Inning

Joe Carter hit two home runs in one inning against the Baltimore Orioles in 1993.

1994: Led the Blue Jays in Home Runs and RBIs

In 1994, Joe Carter led the Toronto Blue Jays in home runs and RBIs during the season that was cut short due to a strike.

1994: 100 RBIs

Joe Carter drove in 100 runs in the 1994 season, which was cut short due to a strike.

1995: Led the Blue Jays in Home Runs and RBIs

In 1995, Joe Carter again led the Toronto Blue Jays in home runs and RBIs.

1996: Booed at the All-Star Game

In 1996, when Joe Carter represented the Blue Jays at the All-Star Game hosted by the Phillies at Veterans Stadium, he received boos for his World Series home run.

1997: Continued to Play for the Blue Jays

Joe Carter continued to play for the Toronto Blue Jays until 1997.

1998: Brief Time with Orioles and Giants, Retirement

In 1998, Joe Carter became a free agent and briefly played for the Baltimore Orioles and San Francisco Giants before retiring, ending his career with a pop out against the Chicago Cubs.

1999: Color Commentator for Toronto Blue Jays

From 1999 to 2000, Joe Carter served as a color commentator for the Toronto Blue Jays on CTV Sportsnet.

2000: Color Commentator for Toronto Blue Jays

From 1999 to 2000, Joe Carter served as a color commentator for the Toronto Blue Jays on CTV Sportsnet.

2001: Color Commentator for Chicago Cubs

From 2001 to 2002, Joe Carter served as the color commentator for the Chicago Cubs on WGN-TV.

2002: Color Commentator for Chicago Cubs

From 2001 to 2002, Joe Carter served as the color commentator for the Chicago Cubs on WGN-TV.

2010: Joe Carter Classic

In 2010, Joe Carter co-founded the annual "Joe Carter Classic", a celebrity golf tournament in the Toronto area to benefit the Children's Aid Foundation.