Game 6 of the 1993 World Series. Bottom of the ninth inning. Mitch Williams is on the mound for the Philadelphia Phillies, trying to preserve a narrow 6-5 lead over the defending World Series Champion Toronto Blue Jays. There is one out, and runners are on first and second base.
Joe Carter steps to the plate. He watches two balls from Williams to go ahead in the count. Williams works back to even things 2-2. Williams throws a fastball. Carter swings. The rest is history.
Carter’s walk-off home run to win the 1993 World Series has been repeatedly cited in the decades since as one of baseball’s greatest moments. Carter, himself, still gets emotional thinking about the moment, as he told MLB.com’s Bill Ladson in October 2023:
“To see the ball go over the fence — right now, just talking about it — I still get chills, because it brings back the whole feeling of what it was like when the SkyDome erupted,” Carter said. “When you see your teammates react in that way, it gives you great joy. You always want to come through for the man in front of you and behind you.”
The SkyDome may now be called the Rogers Centre, but the memories of Carter’s homer still live in the building. Now, Carter will forever stand outside it, as well, as the Blue Jays announced plans to unveil a statue of the franchise legend later this summer, with ceremonies planned for Saturday, July 18, before the Jays host the Chicago White Sox.
Joe Carter’s Toronto Tenure
Initially drafted with the second-overall pick in the 1981 Draft by the Chicago Cubs, Carter spent eight years in the big leagues before arriving in Toronto in a December 1990 trade with the San Diego Padres that also brought second baseman Roberto Alomar to Canada. The duo made an immediate impact on the Blue Jays.
Carter won the AL Silver Slugger and finished in the Top 5 in MVP voting in each of his first two seasons with Toronto. He would spend seven seasons in total with the club, appearing in five All-Star Games while hitting .257/.308/.473 (104 OPS+) with 218 2B, 203 HR, and 736 RBI.
Meanwhile, Alomar slashed .307/.382/.451 (123 OPS+) over his five seasons with the Blue Jays, going to the All-Star Game and taking home a Gold Glove Award each year.
The Jays, of course, won back-to-back World Series titles in 1992 and 1993, with the pair at the core of their lineup.
Joe Carter’s Newest Honor: A Statue
The Blue Jays have honored 11 names on their Level of Excellence within the Rogers Centre: José Bautista, Paul Beeston, George Bell, Joe Carter, Tom Cheek, Carlos Delgado, Tony Fernández, Cito Gastón, Pat Gillick, Roy Halladay, and Dave Stieb.
However, only two former players have had their uniform numbers retired by the franchise: No. 12 for Alomar and No. 32 for the late Roy Halladay. Alomar’s number was subsequently unretired in 2021 and issued again for the first time in 2023 (to Jordan Hicks).
Carter was honored with his addition to the Level of Excellence in July 1999. He is the first player the team will honor with a statue.
Carter’s statue will reportedly be placed between Gates 5 and 6 at the Rogers Centre.
Blue Jays to Honor Franchise Legend with Statue