He played harmonica and taught himself songs on a guitar, starting with "When the Roses Bloom in Dixieland, " a Carter Family favorite.

WSJ: Folk Musician Doc Watson Dies

There also was this on Carter-Williams' mind, though: His family home in Massachusetts was hit by a fire last weekend.

WSJ: Michael Carter-Williams does it all for Syracuse

For a brief moment, Gary Carter was at peace and had everything that he needed in the world: family, faith and baseball!

FORBES: Mets' Next Chapter Should Start With Honoring Gary Carter

Michael Carter: My mom grew up in a very working class, Mexican-American family.

FORBES: Move up http://i.forbesimg.com t Move down

In the mid 60s, he met June Carter Cash, from country music's famous Carter family.

BBC: NEWS | Entertainment | Country legend Cash dies