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4w ago

Mets Reverse Course After Prospect Wears Gary Carter’s No. 8 in Debut

The team switched Nick Morabito to No. 55 after immediate fan and broadcaster outrage over issuing the long‑held but unofficially frozen number, a move that highlights unresolved questions about how the franchise honors past stars.

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May 19, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; New York Mets left fielder Nick Morabito (8) prepares to swing at a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the sixth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
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Overview

  • Nick Morabito made his major‑league debut for the New York Mets and played left field, finishing 0‑for‑3 in the team’s loss to the Washington Nationals.
  • For that first game the Mets assigned Morabito uniform No. 8, a number closely associated with Hall of Famer Gary Carter that the club had kept out of regular use since 2001.
  • Fans and prominent local broadcasters quickly criticized the decision as disrespectful given the 40th anniversary of the 1986 World Series and Carter’s place in franchise lore.
  • The Mets confirmed they would change Morabito’s number after the debut and he said he chose to wear No. 55 going forward because it was too late to reissue a jersey for the first game.
  • The episode exposed internal confusion over the club’s informal number policy and is likely to renew calls for the Mets to formally retire Carter’s No. 8 or clarify rules for honoring franchise legends.