Nick Morabito got Gary Carter’s famous No. 8. (Randy Litzinger, George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
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The New York Mets’ youth movement continued Tuesday night, but another decision regarding it caused almost immediate backlash.
The Mets promoted outfield prospect Nick Morabito prior to their game against their NL East rival, the Washington Nationals, and he was issued No. 8, which had not been worn by a Met since 2001.
The reason the Mets have mostly kept it out of rotation is in honor of Gary Carter, who helped lead the 1986 Mets to the World Series, though the number has never been officially retired. Carter spent five seasons with the Mets and was an All-Star in four of them after starring for the Montreal Expos.
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Nick Morabito got Gary Carter’s famous No. 8. (Randy Litzinger, George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
With the Mets, the catcher was a fan favorite and an MVP candidate. He played in Queens from 1985 to 1989 and it has rarely been released since he left the team. Three players had carried it since Carter, the most recent being Desi Relaford in 2001.
That changed Tuesday, quickly irking fans and even longtime Mets play-by-play announcer Howie Rose.
“There has been some debate as to whether Gary Carter’s number should be retired, but releasing it in this 40th anniversary season in 1986 just seems wrong,” Rose wrote to X.
New York Mets left fielder Nick Morabito prepares to swing at a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the sixth inning at Nationals Park in Washington, DC on May 19, 2026. (Rafael Suanes/Imagn Images)
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However, the New York Post reported that Morabito will be given No. 55 instead. However, it was too late to make the switch on Tuesday, so Morabito took the track with the No. 8.
The Mets have honored their former players more since Steve Cohen bought the team from the Wilpons in 2020. Before Cohen’s ownership, only the numbers of Casey Stengel, Gil Hodges, Tom Seaver and Mike Piazza were retired, but since Cohen bought the team, six numbers have been retired, with a seventh coming this summer.
But none have been for Carter, who died in 2012.
David Wright, Darryl Strawberry, Doc Gooden, Keith Hernandez, Willie Mays and Jerry Koosman have all had their numbers posted in the Citi Field rafters, and Carlos Beltran will join them this year.
Nick Morabito of the New York Mets jogs to first base during the third inning of his major league debut against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park in Washington, DC on May 19, 2026. (Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images)
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Morabito nearly made a spectacular play in left field, but a ball ricocheted off his glove and resulted in an inside-the-park single for Nats slugger James Wood. He made a brilliant catch over the wall in bad territory.
