## A Moment Forever Etched in History: Joe Carter Statue Coming to Rogers Centre
TORONTO – For decades, Blue Jays fans have cherished the memory of Joe Carter’s electrifying walk-off home run in Game 6 of the 1993 World Series. Now, that defining moment in Canadian baseball history will be immortalized with a statue outside Rogers Centre. This July 18th, the Toronto Blue Jays will unveil a tribute to Carter, commemorating the back-to-back championships of 1992 and 1993.
This year marks the Blue Jays’ 50th anniversary, a season dedicated to celebrating the team’s rich legacy. While the anniversary promises numerous opportunities to revisit past glories, the Joe Carter statue stands as a particularly significant highlight. The response from fans has been overwhelmingly positive, reflecting a long-held desire to see more of the organization’s history prominently displayed around the ballpark.
### Carter’s Enduring Connection to the Moment
What’s truly remarkable is Joe Carter’s ability to relive that iconic moment with unwavering enthusiasm, even three decades later. Whether at golf tournaments, alumni events, or celebrity dinners, he recounts the story of the home run as if it happened just yesterday. He’s shared the tale countless times, yet always greets each new retelling with a playful, “Which one?” and a hearty laugh.
A video released by the Blue Jays captured a heartwarming surprise for Carter. President and CEO Mark Shapiro and President Emeritus Paul Beeston lured him into a boardroom under the guise of a “partnership meeting.” When Carter realized the true purpose of the gathering, his reaction was pure joy. Beeston began to recount the events of October 23, 1993, but Carter interjected with a knowing grin, “11:39 p.m.” – a testament to his intimate recollection of the moment.
Former Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston often joked that opposing teams would hide behind the dugout railing when Carter was at bat, fearing his tendency to send balls foul. To this day, Carter considers keeping that game-winning hit fair, just inside the left-field foul pole, his greatest achievement.
> “When I was 6 or 7 years old, I started playing baseball and that’s what you do in the backyard,” Carter shared at an alumni event. “Bases loaded, bottom of the ninth, Game 7 of the World Series. If you’re a basketball player, it’s 3, 2, 1 for the last shot to win a world championship. You live those dreams. Dreams come true, because I’d thought about that since I was 7 years old. It happened. That’s something you can’t go back and do over again.”
### A Symbol of Canadian Pride
Carter understands the profound impact of his home run, not just on his teammates, but on Blue Jays fans across the country. The statue is a tribute to that connection, and the 50th anniversary season will bring back countless other cherished memories from the team’s history. As Shapiro stated, “The Blue Jays have a rich and storied history in the fabric of Canadian sport, and the back-to-back World Series championships will forever have a special place in the hearts and minds of sports fans across the country.”
The statue is poised to become a popular destination for fans when it’s unveiled on July 18th. The day will also feature a pregame ceremony honouring both World Series teams. The first 15,000 fans will receive replica ’92 and ’93 World Series rings, and on August 10th, another 15,000 fans will receive replica statues.
The existing statue of Ted Rogers will be relocated to a corporate office to make room for this new tribute. According to RCI spokesman Zac Carreiro, “We wanted to make space to honour Joe and the championship teams who brought so much joy and pride to fans in every corner of Canada.”
In the video, Carter’s emotion is palpable. Beeston aptly described the moment as “earned,” acknowledging the years of dedication and the unforgettable impact Carter had on the game and on Canada. [MLB.com](https://www.mlb.com/news/joe-carter-statue-toronto-blue-jays) provides further details on the upcoming celebrations.
This statue isn’t just about a home run; it’s about a nation united in celebration. It’s a symbol of dreams realized and a testament to the enduring power of baseball.
