Rico Carty, who played 15 seasons in the major leagues and won the 1970 National League batting title with the Atlanta Braves, has died at the age of 85.
A family friend confirmed to Listín Diario, a newspaper in Carty's native Dominican Republic, that the former outfielder and first baseman died Saturday night in an Atlanta hospital.
"Carty was one of the first groundbreaking Latino stars in the major leagues, and he established himself as a hero to millions in his native Dominican Republic, his hometown of San Pedro de Macoris, and the city of Atlanta, where he was a beloved fan favorite," the MLB Players' Association said in a statement.