Carl Everett

Carl Everett made an impact on and off the baseball field, and not always for positive reasons. Everett, born in Tampa, Florida, was an incredible athlete at Hillsborough High School, where he played three sports, baseball, football, and track. Everett’s athletic ability was impressive enough for him to be drafted by the New York Yankees in the first round of the 1990 free-agent draft. While Everett had a bright future, his tumultuous career would span 14 seasons with eight different teams, two All-Star Game appearances, one World Series with the 2005 Chicago White Sox, and plenty of controversy and scandal.

Everett’s fiery personality made him a polarizing figure in baseball, as his confrontational nature frequently drew more attention than his undeniable talent. While his skills on the field showcased his athleticism and potential, his temper often disrupted team dynamics and strained relationships with players, coaches, and media members alike. Everett’s outbursts and controversial behavior overshadowed his accomplishments, leaving a legacy marked as much by conflict as by his contributions to the game.

Carl Edward Everett was born on June 3, 1971, in Tampa. When he was 7, his parents, Carl Everett and Allie Preston, separated. He grew up in the working-class Belmont Heights neighborhood, where he played in the renowned Belmont Heights Little League program. This league gained fame for competing in five world championships between the early 1970s and early 1980s and for producing future major-league stars like Dwight Gooden and Gary Sheffield.

At Hillsborough High School, Everett excelled as a three-sport athlete, earning statewide recognition for his achievements in football, track, and baseball. As a junior he was part of Hillsborough’s state-winning 440-yard relay team and posted an impressive 100-meter time of 10.5 seconds. On the football team in his senior year, he rushed for 948 yards. Everett also formed a significant relationship with his baseball coach, David Pittman, who became a mentor and father figure to him during challenging times.

Although Everett received offers to play football from several Division I colleges, he chose to focus on a baseball career. Known for his blend of power and speed as a switch-hitting outfielder, he was selected by the Yankees as the 10th overall pick in 1990.1 Earning recognition on Baseball America’s Top 100 Prospects list, Everett was ranked number 88 prior to the 1991 season, and his stock rose significantly to number 32 before the 1992 season. Everett remained a top prospect heading into 1993, ranked number 69. In 1990 he began in the Gulf Coast League, batting .260 with a .706 OPS. In 1991, with Greensboro in Class A, he improved his production, batting .271 with 96 runs scored and a .376 on-base percentage. Despite some struggles in 1992 with two teams at the high A level, Everett rebounded strongly in 1993, splitting time between high A and Triple A while hitting .296 with 25 doubles, 10 triples, 16 home runs, and a robust .908 OPS. After three seasons in the Yankees’ minor-league system, Everett was picked up by the newly created Florida Marlins during the major-league expansion draft in November 1992.

Everett started his major-league journey with the Marlins, where he had limited playing time during his first two seasons. In 1993, his debut year, faced challenges adapting to major-league pitching, finishing with a .105 batting average in 19 at-bats. The next season, he saw a modest increase in playing opportunities, appearing in 16 games and raising his batting average to .216 while hitting the first two home runs of his career. Everett’s first major-league home run, on May 22, 1994, against the St. Louis Cardinals’ Allen Watson, was a solo shot to center field. His 1994 campaign ended when his Triple-A team, the Edmonton Trappers, suspended him for lack of hustle and insubordination that included a verbal confrontation with his manager, Sal Rende.2

Everett’s career saw a shift when the Marlins traded him in November 1994 to the New York Mets for Quilvio Veras. With the 1995 Mets, Everett found more opportunities to grow as a player. In his first four games, he made an immediate impact, hitting two home runs – matching the total from his first 70 major-league at-bats – while batting .353. He also showcased his defensive skills, making two remarkable throws, including one that cut down Brian Jordan at the plate on a potential sacrifice fly.

By 1995, Everett began to establish himself as a productive player, hitting .260 with 12 home runs and 54 RBIs in 79 games, contributing a solid 1.9 WAR. He dipped in 1996, despite playing in 101 games, he drove in only 16 runs and hit .240. By 1997, he became a regular starter, appearing in 142 games. He delivered 14 home runs and 57 RBIs, although his .248 batting average continued to reflect some inconsistency at the plate. Over three seasons with the Mets, Everett totaled 27 home runs and 127 RBIs. Despite his on-field contributions, Everett’s tenure with the Mets is often remembered more for off-field controversies that ultimately led to his departure.

From the start, Everett’s time with the Mets was strained. On his first day at spring training, Everett casually walked to retrieve a ball during batting practice. Mets manager Dallas Green, observing from behind the cage, expressed frustration, muttering, “Now I see why people say the kid’s a dog.”3 Green’s criticism set the tone for their relationship, and Everett later claimed, “He wanted you to kiss his tail, and I wouldn’t.”4 Green, who was fired in 1996, never gave Everett consistent playing time.

In addition to his on-field struggles, Everett faced significant personal and legal challenges. A pivotal moment came when he and his wife, Linda, were investigated for child abuse.5 The case arose after bruises and welts were found on their 6-year-old daughter, Shawna, prompting the Mets to report the family to child protective services. A judge found the couple guilty of child neglect, citing Linda Everett’s use of excessive corporal punishment and Carl’s failure to intervene. As a result, the Everetts’ 4-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter were placed in foster care.

The case drew widespread media attention, fueled by reports that the couple disciplined their children using a belt. Everett addressed the controversy in an interview with CNN/Sports Illustrated, defending his parenting style in a passionate, meandering statement. “They’re trying to say that we beat ’em with our fists,” Everett said. “Trying to say that we slapped our kids. I mean, anyone that’s my age or older knows you’re going to get your spankings, you’re going to get discipline. But in this day and age, you have people that don’t have any kids trying to tell [other] people how to raise their kids.”6

Everett also criticized lawmakers, arguing that they lacked the experience to legislate on parenting. “Most of the people that make these laws don’t have kids, don’t have a relationship. Can’t tell you the first meaning of how to change a diaper … how it is to stay up to 3 or 4 o’clock in the morning with a sick child or a hungry child.”7

After the 1997 season, Everett was traded to the Houston Astros for pitcher John Hudek. In Houston, Everett found both consistent playing time and personal fulfillment over two seasons, solidifying his reputation as a fierce competitor. His intensity was on full display during one memorable incident when he reacted angrily to being given a day off by manager Larry Dierker. Frustrated, Everett ripped the lineup card off the clubhouse wall, stormed into Dierker’s office, tore it into pieces, and threw the scraps onto the manager’s desk, demanding that a new one be prepared.8 Despite the outburst, Dierker stuck to his original lineup.

Everett’s performance with the Astros reflected his growth as a player. In 1998 he hit .296 with 15 home runs and 76 RBIs, helping Houston secure a playoff spot. The next season, 1999, Everett reached new heights, delivering a breakout performance. He batted .325 with 25 home runs and 108 RBIs, contributing 5.8 WAR. His .969 OPS and .425 weighted on-base average (wOBA) underscored his elite offensive capabilities.

Despite Everett’s success, the Astros faced tough decisions about their roster. With Everett eligible for free agency after the 1999 season, Houston opted to trade him to the Boston Red Sox for infielder Adam Everett and pitcher Greg Miller. Astros general manager Gerry Hunsicker explained the decision: “We chose [second baseman Craig] Biggio and [first baseman Jeff] Bagwell over Everett rather than putting dollars into an outfielder. We had young outfielders, such as Daryle Ward, Lance Berkman, and Richard Hidalgo, who we thought could be impact players.”9 Both Biggio and Bagwell later became Hall of Famers.

Everett’s time with the Red Sox was a mix of on-field excellence and off-field controversy. He quickly made his mark. In 2000 he was named an All-Star, hitting .300 with 34 home runs and 108 RBIs – leading the team in the latter two categories by a considerable margin. He posted a .959 OPS and a 4.7 WAR. Despite injuries in 2001, he managed 14 home runs and 58 RBIs in 102 games, finishing his two-year stint in Boston with 48 home runs and 166 RBIs.

In a highlight of his on-the-field production for the Red Sox, Everett, pinch-hitting, broke up Yankees pitcher Mike Mussina’s bid for a perfect game in 2001. In the ninth inning, with Mussina one out away from a perfecto, Everett lined a single to left field. Yet, his production as a hitter could not overshadow his actions outside the batter’s box.

In a July 2000 Red Sox game against the Mets, Everett argued with umpire Ron Kulpa over batter’s box positioning and head-butted Kulpa, drawing a 10-game suspension.10

Later that season, during a game against the Mariners, Everett hit a home run but responded to being hit by a pitch from Jamie Moyer by grabbing his crotch and spitting in Moyer’s direction, resulting in a fine from Major League Baseball.11

Everett had a confrontation with a Boston Globe reporter in the clubhouse between games of a doubleheader in 2001.12 Angered by a story published in the Globe, Everett directed a string of expletives at baseball writer Gordon Edes. Even though Edes’ name was not attached to the article, the incident followed a report by the Globe’s Bob Hohler stating that Everett had missed the team bus from the hotel to Detroit’s Comerica Park.

Everett held many unusual beliefs that he openly shared, including the idea that dinosaurs never existed and that the moon landings were staged. These views prompted Boston Globe sportswriter Dan Shaughnessy to nickname him “Jurassic Carl.”13

In response, Everett coined a derogatory nickname for Shaughnessy, calling him the Curly Haired Boyfriend (CHB) of beat writer Edes.14 The term “CHB” has since become a lasting way for Red Sox fans to refer to Shaughnessy.

Everett’s behavior strained his relationship with the Red Sox. He was suspended twice in 2001 – once in spring training for missing a team bus and again in September for being late to a team workout after the 9/11 attacks. His frequent confrontations with manager Jimy Williams and his late arrival to games further isolated him within the organization.

On December 12, 2001, Everett was traded to the Texas Rangers for pitcher Darren Oliver. During his time with the Rangers, Everett provided consistent offensive production. In 2003, he split his season between Texas and the Chicago White Sox, finishing with a strong performance: 28 home runs, 92 RBIs, a .287 batting average, and an .876 OPS.

Everett’s tenure with the Rangers was not without controversy. During a game in Arlington, he reported being hit by a cellphone thrown from the stands, stating, “It’s just ignorance and alcohol and probably too much of both. That’s what causes this.” He pressed charges against the person responsible.15 Everett also accidentally hit an Oakland Athletics employee with a thrown phone while trying to clear debris from the field. The employee was bandaged and returned to work without serious injury.

Another incident occurred when Everett’s bat slipped from his hands during an at-bat against the Athletics, striking a 15-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy in the stands.16 The game was delayed for medical personnel to attend to the injured fans. While visibly shaken, Everett expressed deep concern for their well-being. Both fans recovered, with the girl receiving hospital treatment and the boy treated at the ballpark.

Despite his offensive capabilities, Everett faced criticism for his defensive play in center field. His performance drew frustration from teammates and management after he failed to catch a routine fly ball and missed a cutoff man, with costly results. Manager Jerry Narron moved Everett to designated-hitter duties, citing dissatisfaction with his defense.

At spring training, Everett confronted Dallas Observer columnist John Gonzalez in the clubhouse, questioning his credentials and escalating the encounter into a heated exchange of expletives. When Gonzalez asked Everett a question about professional boxing, Everett responded by saying, “You don’t want to talk boxing. You wanna box me? (Turns to me, squares off, puts fists up by his head.) You don’t wanna box me.17”

Everett was traded to the White Sox on July 1, 2003, for Frank Francisco, Josh Rupe, and minor-leaguer Anthony Webster. He bumped his .274 batting average for the Rangers up to .301 for the White Sox, though in 73 White Sox games he drove in 41 runs as compared to 51 for the Rangers in 74 games.

After signing as a free agent with the Montreal Expos for the 2004 season, Everett was traded back to the White Sox on July 18, 2004, for pitchers Gary Majewski and Jon Rauch.

On August 21, 2004, Everett made headlines when he argued with home-plate umpire Doug Eddings after striking out with the bases loaded during a game against the Red Sox.18 This fiery demeanor epitomized Everett’s competitive intensity throughout his tenure with the White Sox.

In 2005 Everett drew attention for controversial comments to reporters, including remarks on homosexuality, his disdain for Wrigley Field (saying it should be imploded), criticism of baseball fans for not knowing “diddly” about the game, and calling congressional hearings on steroids a waste of time.19

Everett became a critical part of the 2005 White Sox, especially after a season-ending injury to Frank Thomas. He delivered 23 home runs, 87 RBIs, and a competitive edge that helped propel the team to the playoffs. Though his batting average dipped to .251, his power hitting and clutch performances were pivotal. In the American League playoffs, Everett returned to Fenway Park, where he faced his former team, the Red Sox, amid heavy boos from the crowd. Everett dismissed any nostalgia for his time in Boston, stating, “It’s just another ballpark. There’s no special feeling in this ballpark, not even when I played here.”20

The White Sox swept the Red Sox in the ALDS, and Everett’s performance continued to shine during the postseason. In the World Series he batted .444 (4-for-9), with 1 run, 4 hits, and a .889 OPS.

A free agent after the World Series, Everett signed a one-year contract for 2006 with the Seattle Mariners with a club option for the 2007 season. “Today we achieved one of our offseason goals,” said Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi in a statement. “Carl Everett is a clutch-hitting run producer with power. As a switch-hitter, he provides our lineup with added versatility. Carl is a winner, most recently as a member of the 2005 World Series Champion Chicago White Sox. His experience and intensity will be welcome additions to our clubhouse.”21

In his final major-league season, with the Mariners, the 35-year-old Everett struggled at the plate, finishing with a .227 batting average and 11 home runs in 92 games. In the first half of the season, Everett was active in the clubhouse and community but struggled on the field, batting just .159 against left-handers. This prompted manager Mike Hargrove to bench him against left-handed starters and led to the acquisition of Perez as Seattle’s DH for such matchups on June 30. Tensions escalated after a July 4 game when Everett and Hargrove had a heated argument over his reduced role. Asked for a comment the next day, Everett responded, “Tell them it’s none of their business.22” However, on July 26, 2006, The Mariners designated Everett for assignment Wednesday, making Seattle the 35-year-old’s eighth former team. The team recalled outfielder Chris Snelling from Triple-A Tacoma to take Everett’s roster spot.

Everett played the next four years in the independent Atlantic League, in 2007 and 2008 for the Long Island Ducks and 2009 and 2010 for the Newark Bears, batting over .300 the first three of the four seasons.

Everett’s reputation as both a talented player and a polarizing figure has drawn mixed reactions from those who have worked with or competed against him. His confidence is legendary, sometimes bordering on arrogance, as highlighted by pitcher Ryan Dempster: “Carl Everett is the best player in the major leagues. Just ask Carl Everett.”23

Everett’s strong personality often left an impression, both positive and negative. Manager John Boles, who worked with Everett during his time in Florida’s player-development system, reflected on the polarizing nature of his character:

“If I didn’t know him, I’d say, ‘What’s his problem?’ But I know him, so it doesn’t affect me. It’s like our catcher, Paul Bako, who played with him in Houston, said: Carl’s the kind of guy opponents hate. When you play with him, you appreciate what he brings. Carl shoots from the hip. Sometimes he’s accurate. Sometimes he’s not.”24

Despite his fiery demeanor, Everett’s talent on the field often overshadowed his outspoken nature. Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martinez acknowledged the balance between Everett’s brashness and skill: “The guy can yap. But he can back it up. It’s a good thing he is this good.”25

In his post-baseball years, Everett was arrested in Lutz, Florida, a suburb of Tampa, in April 2011 on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and tampering with a witness.26 According to police records, Everett pressed a handgun to his wife’s head during an argument. Everett’s attorney, Clinton Paris, described the situation as a family matter, expressing hope that it could be resolved quickly and efficiently.

The arrest affidavit stated that Everett and his wife of 18 years began arguing when Everett put a handgun against the side of her head. Linda Everett reportedly attempted to call 911 twice, but, according to the affidavit, Everett seized both phones and broke them to prevent her from contacting authorities.

Everett has often claimed that his straightforwardness is misunderstood. Reflecting on how others perceived him, Everett once said: “You might think, ‘That butthole,’ before you meet me. I don’t care. If I’m telling you something, I’m just telling you the truth.”27

Everett frequently expressed his views with a rigid, absolute perspective, stating that he dealt only in “wins and losses, truths and lies, and what is in the Bible and what is not.”28 While his candor may have resonated with some, others viewed his matter-of-fact tone as confrontational.

As Everett put it, “You heard what Barry Bonds said, ‘They don’t boo you if you’re bad,’” a fitting legacy for Everett, his life, and baseball career.29

Since retiring from baseball, Carl Everett has maintained a low profile, staying out of the public eye and refraining from engaging with the media. Attempts to gather more information about his post-baseball life have proven uninformative, leaving little insight into his current activities or whereabouts.

Last revised: March 1, 2025

Sources

In addition to the sources cited in the Notes, the author consulted Baseball-Reference.com and Retrosheet.org.

Notes

1 Bryan Hoch, “The Top Yanks Draft Pick from Every Season,” MLB.com, July 14, 2024. https://www.mlb.com/news/all-time-yankees-top-draft-picks.

2 Tom Verducci, “Mighty Mouth / A Man of Many Strong Opinions, Boston Centerfielder Carl Everett Speaks Loudly and Carries a Big Stick,” Sports Illustrated, June 19, 2000. https://vault.si.com/vault/2000/06/19/mighty-mouth-a-man-of-many-strong-opinions-boston-centerfielder-carl-everett-speaks-loudly-and-carries-a-big-stick. See also https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/2001/0917/1251852.html.

3 Verducci.

4 Verducci.

5 Mirta Ojito, “D.A. Still Looking Into Everett Abuse Case,” New York Times, August 10, 1997, https://www.nytimes.com/1997/08/10/sports/da-still-looking-into-everett-abuse-case.html.

6 Verducci.

7 Verducci.

8 “Carl Everett’s Highlights and Lowlights,” Seattle Times, December 15, 2005, https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20051215/everetttimeline15/carl-everetts-highlights-and-lowlights.

9 Verducci.

10 “Everett Head-Butts Umpire,” Tampa Bay Times, July 16, 2000, https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2000/07/16/everett-head-butts-umpire/.

11 Associated Press, “Everett Fined for Incident with Moyer,” ESPN.com, August 17, 2000.

12 “Everett Berates Globe Writers,” Hartford Courant, September 21, 2000, https://www.courant.com/2000/09/21/everett-berates-globe-writers/.

13 Drew Athans, “Boston Red Sox Most Controversial Figures: Carl Everett,” BoSox Injection, https://bosoxinjection.com/2020/05/29/boston-red-sox-controversial-figures-carl-everett/.

14 Athans.

15 John Shea, “A’s Ring Up a Win / Rangers Routed, and OF Everett Beaned with a Cell Phone,” SFGate, April 20, 2003, https://www.sfgate.com/sports/shea/article/A-s-ring-up-a-win-Rangers-routed-and-OF-2621173.php.

16 Associated Press, “Teenage Girl Taken to Hospital for Observation,” ESPN.com, June 25, 2003, https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/2003/0625/1572959.html.

17 John Gonzales, “Sparring with Carl Everett,” Deadspin.com, April 8, 2014, https://www.google.com/earch?q=Sparring+With+Carl+Everett&rlz=1C1VDKB_enUS1069US1069&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8.

18 Travis Landes, “The Curious Case of Carl Everett,” 2SeamSports, March 11, 2024, https://2seamsports.com/?p=372.

19 “White Sox’s Everett Opines on Gays, Wrigley, Steroids,” ESPN.com, June 15, 2005, https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2087125.

20 Jeff Horrigan, “Everett Fans Flames,” Milford (Massachusetts) Daily News, October 7, 2005, https://www.milforddailynews.com/story/sports/2005/10/07/everett-fans-flames/41310313007/.

21 “M’s Sign Everett,” Seattle Times, December 14, 2005, https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/ms-sign-everett-for-one-year/.

22 Associated Press, “Mariners designate DH Everett for assignment”, July 26,2006, https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2530463

23 Verducci, “Mighty Mouth.”

24 Verducci.

25 Verducci.

26 Associated Press, “Carl Everett Arrested in Florida,” ESPN.com, April 26, 2011, https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=6430043.

27 Verducci.

28 Verducci.

29 Horrigan, “Everett Fans Flames.”