Gary Carter (1974-1984, 1992)
Nicknamed ‘Kid’ because of his exuberance and constant smile while on the diamond, Gary Carter quickly became a fan favorite with the Expos.
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Widely regarded as one of the best catchers of his time, Carter was a star from the start. After a nine game stint as a 20 year old in 1974, Carter made the All Star Game and finished second in the Rookie of the Year vote, although he began his career in right field. Following a hand injury in 1976, Carter established himself as one of the top catchers in the game.
During his time in Montreal, Carter was a seven time All Star, finishing as high as second in the MVP vote. He won three Silver Slugger awards and three Gold Gloves, as he was one of the best all around catchers in the game. His offense was excellent as well, as Carter produced a .269/.342/.454 batting line with 220 homers and 274 doubles.
When he was traded after the 1984 campaign, it marked a shift for the franchise. As one of their top players, he was sent to the Mets for four players. Although the Expos had quite a few holes to fill, Carter was one of the top players in the league. His moving to New York officially turned the franchise into a smaller market club, and marked the end of the Expos Golden Era.
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Gary Carter was the biggest star of the Expos franchise. When he left, it marked the beginning of the end.