Nick Morabito received the famous number 8 from Gary Carter. (Randy Litzinger, George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
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The New York Mets’ youth movement continued Tuesday night, but another decision on the matter sparked an almost immediate backlash.
The Mets promoted outfield prospect Nick Morabito ahead of their game against their NL East rivals, the Washington Nationals, and gave him the No. 8, which had not been worn by a Met since 2001.
The reason the Mets have kept it out of the rotation is to honor Gary Carter, who helped lead the Mets to the 1986 World Series, although 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 received the famous number 8 from Gary Carter. (Randy Litzinger, George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
With the Mets, the catcher was a fan favorite and an MVP candidate. He played for Queens from 1985 to 1989 and has rarely been aired since leaving the team. Three players had used it after Carter, the most recent being Desi Relaford in 2001.
That changed on Tuesday, and it quickly upset fans and even longtime Mets announcer Howie Rose.
“There’s been some debate about whether Gary Carter’s number should be retired, but releasing it in this 1986 40th anniversary season seems wrong,” Rose posted on X.
New York Mets left fielder Nick Morabito prepares to throw 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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The New York Post, however, reported that Morabito will be given the number 55. However, it was too late to make the change on Tuesday, so Morabito took the field with the number 8.
The Mets have honored their former players more since Steve Cohen bought the team from the Wilpons in 2020. Prior to 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 in the rafters at Citi Field, and Carlos Beltrán will join them this year.
Nick Morabito of the New York Mets runs 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 almost made a spectacular play in left field, but a ball bounced off his glove and resulted in an inside-the-park home run for Nationals slugger James Wood. He made a splendid catch over the barrier in foul territory.
