Nick Morabito famously received the 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 his part sparked almost immediate backlash.
The Mets promoted outfield prospect Nick Morabito before their game against their NL East rival, the Washington Nationals, and he was given the number 8, which had not been worn by a Met since 2001.
The reason the Mets mostly kept it out of rotation is in honor of Gary Carter, who helped lead the 1986 Mets to the World Series, although the number was never officially retired. Carter spent five seasons with the Mets and was an All-Star in four of them after playing for the Montreal Expos.
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Nick Morabito famously received the number 8 from Gary Carter. (Randy Litzinger, George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
With the Mets, the catcher was a fan favorite and MVP candidate. He played in Queens from 1985 to 1989, and he has rarely been delivered since leaving the team. Three players wore it after Carter, the most recent being Desi Relaford in 2001.
That changed Tuesday, and it quickly angered fans and even longtime Mets play-by-play announcer Howie Rose.
“There was some debate about whether Gary Carter’s number should be retired, but releasing it in the 1986 40th anniversary season just seems wrong,” Rose posted on X.
New York Mets outfielder Nick Morabito prepares to field 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 would receive the number 55 instead. It was too late to make the change on Tuesday, however, so Morabito took the field with the No. 8.
The Mets have honored their former players more since Steve Cohen purchased the team from the Wilpons in 2020. Before Cohen took over ownership, only the numbers of Casey Stengel, Gil Hodges, Tom Seaver and Mike Piazza were retired, but since Cohen purchased the team, six numbers have been retired, with a seventh coming this summer.
But none were for Carter, who died in 2012.
David Wright, Darryl Strawberry, Doc Gooden, Keith Hernandez, Willie Mays and Jerry Koosman have all had their numbers displayed in the rafters at Citi Field, and Carlos Beltran 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 ricocheted off his glove and resulted in an inside-the-park home run for Nats slugger James Wood. He made a great catch over the wall in foul territory.
