I Am Back To Where I Belongs: Joe Carter Stuns College Hoops World with Emotional Return to Toronto Blue Jays as

July 27, 2025

TORONTO — In a move that no one saw coming, Joe Carter, once a surprising figure in the college basketball scene, is returning to where his heart always was — the Toronto Blue Jays.

The former Blue Jays slugger and World Series hero was officially named Executive Director of the team on Saturday morning, sending waves of excitement through Toronto and across Major League Baseball. Carter, 65, had recently been making headlines for his mentorship role in college basketball, where he had become a charismatic and inspirational figure among student-athletes. But despite his unexpected foray into the world of hoops, it turns out Carter’s ultimate loyalty never left the baseball diamond — or Toronto.

“This is home,” Carter said, his voice cracking slightly at a packed press conference inside Rogers Centre. “No matter where life has taken me, my heart has always been with this team and this city. I’m not just coming back — I’m coming home.”

A Legacy Sealed in October

Joe Carter’s name is etched in Canadian sports lore. His walk-off home run in Game 6 of the 1993 World Series remains one of the most iconic moments in baseball history — not just for Blue Jays fans, but for the entire sport. That blast off Phillies closer Mitch Williams sealed Toronto’s second consecutive title and elevated Carter to legendary status north of the border.

Over the years, Carter maintained a visible presence in baseball through charitable work and occasional media appearances, but his shift into college basketball in the early 2020s surprised many. Partnering with historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Carter provided mentorship and leadership programs for athletes, helping bridge the gap between sports, education, and personal development.

“I loved what I was doing,” Carter admitted. “Working with young people, guiding them through life beyond sports — that’s important. But when the Blue Jays called, it wasn’t just a job opportunity. It was a calling.”

The Role: A Modern Vision with Old-School Heart

As Executive Director, Carter’s role will be wide-reaching. He will oversee community outreach, youth development, and internal culture building within the Blue Jays organization. Sources close to the team say Carter’s influence will be “felt from the clubhouse to the community.”

Team President Mark Shapiro praised the hire as “a bold step forward that also honors our past.”

“We wanted someone who understands not just the game of baseball, but the soul of this franchise,” Shapiro said. “Joe Carter brings integrity, leadership, and an unwavering love for the city of Toronto. He is the embodiment of everything we want this organization to stand for.”

Carter’s first official act? Visiting the Jays’ minor league affiliates in Dunedin and Buffalo, where he plans to spend time with young players, instilling the values of teamwork, humility, and perseverance — traits that defined his playing career.

A Surprise to the Hoops World

Carter’s return to baseball caught many in the college basketball world off guard. Just last year, he had been named an honorary assistant to the coaching staff at North Carolina Central University, where he often gave pregame speeches and organized leadership retreats.

“I’m happy for Joe,” said NCCU head coach LeVelle Moton. “He was never just about basketball or baseball. He was about people. The Blue Jays are lucky to have him back. But he’s going to be missed here.”

Carter brushed off the notion that he was abandoning his basketball mentees.

“I’ll still be there for those guys,” he said. “This isn’t goodbye — it’s just a new chapter.”

Fans Rejoice

Blue Jays fans — many of whom still rewatch Carter’s 1993 home run on YouTube with tears in their eyes — greeted the news with emotional outpouring online. “This feels like destiny,” one fan tweeted. Another simply wrote, “Joe Carter never left us — now it’s official.”

Outside the stadium on Saturday afternoon, fans gathered wearing throwback No. 29 jerseys, taking selfies next to Carter’s plaque and reflecting on what his return means.

“This franchise hasn’t felt quite the same since he left,” said longtime fan Maria Delgado. “Now it feels whole again.”

A Story Still Being Written

As Carter embarks on this new role, the excitement is palpable. While he may not swing a bat again, his influence on the franchise could be just as powerful as his unforgettable swing back in ’93.

“I’m here to give back, to lead, to lift people up,” Carter said with a smile. “The home run was one moment. Now, I get to help build something that lasts much longer.”

And in Toronto, where legends never fade, Joe Carter is exactly where he belongs — home.