Chuck Carr dead at 55: Family reveal death of ex-New York Mets star and original Florida Marlin

Former New York Mets star and National League stolen base leader Chuck Carr has died at the age of 55 after a long battle with health issues.

His family announced the news on Facebook, alongside pictures of the eight-year MLB star in his hospital bed just days before his death.

Carr began his major league career with the New York Mets in April 1990, playing two seasons in Queens before his trade to the St Louis Cardinals.

Chuck Carr was an original member of the Florida Marlins after arriving in Miami in 1993

The larger-than-life character has died at age of 55 following a long battle with health issues

From there, he went on to spend two years at the Florida Marlins - now Miami - and was part of their original team following their formation in 1993.

He also spent time at the Milwaukee Brewers and Houston Astros, but is perhaps most well-known for topping the National League in stolen bases in 1993 with 58.

In 1997, he also helped the current World Series champion Houston Astros to win the National League Central Division, and hit a postseason home run off John Smoltz in Game 3 of the NLDS - the last at-bat of his MLB career.

He also made headlines in 1997 amid his exit from the Brewers, when he was questioned by manager Phil Garner and produced a damning response.

The criticism came after he popped out to third base on a two balls, no strike count, but he responded to his manager's words by noting in the third person: 'That ain't Chuckie's game. Chuckie hacks on 2-0.'

He was released by the team shortly after and moved to the Astros. 

Carr played for the New York Mets at the start of his career, before moving on in 1992

Carr was also the stolen base leader for the entire National League in 1993, with 58