Is Joe Carter overrated as a run producer?

Question

He averaged only 4.9 runs created per game, very average. He always struck me as overrated, looking at his batting average and OBP. Any comments or debate?

Answer 1

Carter had good power, but wretched on-base ability. He was fortunate to often bat behind some of the best on-base guys in the game, hence his fat RBI totals. Useful player, certainly, especially when inserted into the lineup correctly (as he was), but not really the sort of guy who could make the difference between third and first place more than once.

Answer 2

Carter is hard to guage. By the statistical measure you mention he is average at best. But he consistently knocked in runs on whatever team he played on. I think he went from Cleveland to San Diego to Toronto knocking in over 100 RBI a year for many years in a row.

Sometimes an average hitter can get lucky being on a good team and get 100 RBI but it is hard to imagine that Carter was lucking for so many seasons on so many different teams.

Maybe he just transcends the Runs Created formula. I don't know what else to think.

Answer 3

He has 1445 RBI's in his career, and he is on the Blue Jays level of excellence, as well as played a huge role in the Blue Jays two World Series Championships. He is not overrated at all. How can you score over 1400 RBI's and be overrated?

Answer 4

He was a lot better than the narrow gauge you're looking at. He was a sharp base runner, not being thrown out much. He also was a clutch hitter, as his walk-off homer shows, a little at least. No, he was a lot better than average. 5 tool sort of guy.

Answer 5

He wasn't in the 93 Series with the walk-off. :)

Answer 6

He was never great. He just had a great moment. By the way, he never talks about it when he's interviewed, either. I'M BEING SARCASTIC.