If you haven't had the pleasure yet, please take the time to read David Waldstein's article about the Mets Chris 'Animal' Carter and his Grandfather, Bill Carter.
Carter's grandfather Bill is legally blind; his eyesight decimated by the ravaging effects of glaucoma. He has a difficult time seeing. He can merely make out colors and certain movements.
Mr. Carter resides in Barberton, Ohio, about a 45 minute ride from Progressive Field in Cleveland, where the Mets will conclude their series against he Indians tonight.
Grandpa Carter's neighbor and friend of 47 years, Edwin Baker, drove Carter to the ballpark. He would give Carter the play-by-play, because of his inability to discern most of the action.
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“Ball one, Bill,” Baker said on Tuesday night, turning his head toward Carter as his left-handed-hitting grandson took a pitch in his second at-bat of a game that the Mets went on to win, 7-6.
“Strike one, Bill,” Baker added as Chris Carter swung through a changeup from Indians pitcher Justin Masterson.
_______________________________________________________________Said Carter, "I can detect colors and motions, and I can definitely tell that swing. I don’t think anybody else swings like he does.”
At 86 years old, and being Animal's only surviving grandparent, Carter made sure to attend the games the Indians played against the Mets.
Carter, who was a Red Sox fan, especially a Ted Williams fan, remembers when Chris got his chance to play in Beantown. I am unable to provide any better insight than Waldstein, so I will quote directly from his article:
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So when Chris made his debut for the Red Sox in 2008, it was an especially rewarding moment for the family. Bill Carter made that trip to Boston, and when he heard his grandson announced over the public address system, and made out the blurry image of Chris at the plate, he was overwhelmed.
“He was standing in the same batter’s box that Ted Williams stood in, and he played left field under that wall where Ted played,” the grandfather said. “They said I was crying. I couldn’t tell, but they said there were tears. When I heard that name announced, I got goose bumps. I still do today.”
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The younger Carter was pleased that his grandfather was able to see him play against the Indians. Said Carter, “It’s been a long road for me, and my grandpa has helped me a lot. He was always there supporting me, playing soft toss when I was a kid and watching me the whole time. For him to be here now is really, really nice for me.”
The Indians management deserves a considerable amount of credit for their handling of Mr. Carter. Carter was seated in the family section at the ball park, which isn't close to homeplate. Upon hearing of Mr. Carter's condition, they provided seats behind homeplate for both Carter and Baker so that it would be "easier" to see the action - seats usually afforded to professional scouts.
Tonight the Mets go for the sweep against Cleveland. What would be more fitting than a grandfather seeing his grandson crush one in person?
Bill Carter picture courtesy of New York Times
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