Carter interview

“When I get into something, and I make a commitment to something, I give it 110 percent. So if I do this, I guarantee you that I’m going to be into it. I’ll treat it like it’s the big leagues. That’s the way I played the game. I played it every day the hardest and best that I possibly could.”

Even if he doesn’t land the Barnstormers job, Gary Carter provides an interesting story. He’s a Hall of Fame player who can’t land a coaching or managing job in professional baseball. Sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it?

In this interview, Carter talks about his past experiences as a manager, his dreams of returning to the big leagues and what intrigues him about the Barnstormers:

Why consider coming to Lancaster?

The thing that is attractive about the independent league is the association that they have with all the other general managers and major league affiliates. My heart’s desire is to manage in the major leagues, just like so many others.

You don’t have any so-called outside interferences here. They’re all for winning. That’s what I’m all about. That’s all I really want to do. There’s a fine line in organizations about developing players and stuff, but in most cases isn’t it about winning? I guess last season was not the kind of showing that they wanted (in Lancaster). They’re looking to build it back up again and I would love to be part of that.

Can you tell me about your managerial background?

I managed two years and in 2006 in the Florida State League with the Mets affiliate we won the championship. They offered to send me to Binghamton without much encouragement. They had just given Willie Randolph a three-year extension and I knew I was at a crossroads because I had proven myself the two previous seasons. If I managed in Binghamton, and Ken Oberkfell was the Triple-A manager, does that mean I have to come back to Binghamton to stay around? It was a matter of making the progress forward.

So I turned it down. I’m disappointed with the whole scenario of things. That turned out to be my only chance. I did an interview for the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate in Las Vegas. I got a call back three days later and they said they were looking for a manager with more experience. They hired Lorenzo Bundy. I don’t know what his background is, but I was surprised at that. Their team ended up in last place.

Then I did an interview with (Rockies GM) Dan O’Dowd and (manager) Clint Hurdle for the hitting coach job. I guess they decided to go from within and they hired Allen Cockrell. He was being endorsed by Garrett Atkins and Matt Holliday and Brad Hawpe. They knew him and I understood all that.

I was also in line for the first base coaching job at the major-league level with the Mets. It was me, Howard Johnson and Ken Oberkfell. They chose Howard. I made one last valiant effort to see if I could go to Triple-A with New Orleans and be the Triple-A hitting coach and learn from Ken Oberkfell. I wanted to still be around. I wanted another assignment. Just don’t send me to Binghamton.

What do you like about managing?

My heart’s desire is to be on the field. I broadcasted for seven years. I played on the celebrity golf tour. I was a roving coach. Then I managed two years. I loved it. I loved everything about it. I loved throwing batting practice and working with the kids. (Lancaster) is more of a challenge because we’re talking about players who may have had major league experience — or at least Triple-A or Double-A. To me that’s appealing. I was ready to move to the next level (with the Mets) and all I wanted was a little assurance that they were trying to groom me for the future.

I have no ill feelings toward the Mets. I’m obviously disappointed with the way things are. I know that the game is funny in that regard. It’s not what you know. It’s who you know.

But you’re a Hall of Fame player. Doesn’t that count for something?

It doesn’t matter in this case. It really doesn’t. It’s very surprising, but it does not matter. It has happened to other Hall of Famers who have attempted the same thing. Mike Schmidt managed one year in Clearwater and he got an email back — not even a phone call — from (GM) Ed Wade. He was very disappointed about that.

It’s funny how the business is. I don’t understand why they wouldn’t be receptive. We love the game, we enjoy the game, we have a lot to offer the game, but it’s not the way baseball is going. They’re going more for the guys who spent 10-12 years in the minor leagues — no big names or anything.

Do they believe stars don’t make good managers?

I guess not. I don’t know why. I would think there would be an exception to that rule at some time. I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity of being back in uniform. I’ve been playing ball since I was six. I can’t play it any more, but I can certainly manage it and coach it, throw batting practice and run around with the guys. But I can’t play it. My knees are shot. I’ve had 11 knee surgeries. I just love the camaraderie and the inter-mixing with the kids and stuff.

This is mostly Phillies country and fans associate you with beating up on the Phils. How do you think they would respond to you?

I think they would respond quite well. I think they would like to see me on the home side. I know when they imploded Veterans Stadium, I had a tear in my eye. I did quite well there. (smiles)

If you manage the Barnstormers, you’ll have a strong say in the construction of the roster. How do you feel about that role?

I’m excited about it. I would need to get some feedback from some of the other general managers and I would be talking with Keith and Jon and whoever is out there. The emphasis should be placed upon the pitching. We would work diligently about getting strong up the middle and — in this ballpark — I’d want some left-handed power. I’m already getting an idea of what kind of team to compose to try to win this thing.

What do you think of the Atlantic League?

What’s interesting about this league is it has the notoriety and it sent, in the last year, just under 50 players back to affiliates and some to the big leagues. In past years some of them have left this league and gone on to make millions. I would just love the opportunity. That’s all I’m asking for. Because I didn’t manage in 2007, I feel like in my heart and my mind I need to exhaust all of my avenues. If it means coming to an independent league, I’m ready to do that.

I like that these guys are very receptive to wanting to work with you. I said, ‘What kind of reports have to be done?’ Keith (Lupton) said, ‘You just have to talk to me every day.’ That would be fine with me. When I get into something, and I make a commitment to something, I give it 110 percent. So if I do this, I guarantee you that I’m going to be into it. I’ll treat it like it’s the big leagues. That’s the only thing you can do. That’s the way I played the game. I played it every day the hardest and best that I possibly could.