Rico Carty, former Braves star and 1970 NL champion, has died at age 85.

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Rico Carty, former star outfielder for the Atlanta Braves who played for 15 years in Major League Baseball, has died. The Players and Teams Association said Sunday he was 85 years old.

A family friend told the Dominican Republic’s Listin Diario that he died Saturday night in an Atlanta hospital.

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Milwaukee Braves outfielder Rico Carty “was one of the first breakout Latino stars in the big leagues,” the players association said in a statement. (Malcolm Emmons-USA Today Sports)

“Carty was one of the first Latino stars in the major leagues, and he has established himself as a hero to millions in his native Dominican Republic, San Pedro de Macoris. and the city of Atlanta which he is a big fan of Favored,” the players association said in a statement.

The Braves added that Carty left an indelible mark on the organization.

“Whilst his achievements on the field will never be forgotten, But his unforgettable smile and generous nature will be sorely missed,” the team said in a statement.

The Atlanta Braves’ Rico Carty (right, Hank Aaron, left) and Lew Burdette look up into the stands on May 22, 1972, before an exhibition game with the Brewsters. Verses in Milwaukee (AP photo, file)

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Carty started with the Milwaukee Braves in 1963 and played full time through the 1964 season. He finished second in National Rookie of the Year voting. He played with the Braves until 1972.

In 1970, he made his first and only All-Star team. He captured the batting average with a .366 average and led the majors with a .454 on-base percentage.

He then played for several other teams including the Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, Oakland Athletics, Cleveland Indians, and Toronto Blue Jays.