Saying goodbye to The Kid (1954-2012)
Baseball mourns the loss of Gary Carter, who helped the Mets to the 1986 title and was inducted in the Hall of Fame after a 19-year career with the Expos, Mets, Giants and Dodgers. “The Kid” passed away peacefully on Feb. 16, 2012, at the age of 57 in his home state of Florida after a courageous battle with brain cancer.
“Driven by a remarkable enthusiasm for the game, Gary Carter became one of the elite catchers of all-time,” Commissioner Bud Selig said. “‘The Kid’ was an 11-time All-Star and a durable, consistent slugger for the Montreal Expos and the New York Mets, and he ranks among the most beloved players in the history of both of those franchises. . . . I extend my deepest condolences to Gary’s wife Sandy, their daughters Christy and Kimmy, their son D.J., their grandchildren, his friends and his many fans.”
Major League Baseball invites fans to please leave any condolences and memories of Gary in this guestbook blog’s comments.
Remembering Gary Carter 
Good luck Kid…..You can kick this one I know it…Chin up all the way….
Get Well Kid!
Gary, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. You provided everyone with some amazing moments over the years – now it’s time for another one. Get well!
I’ll never forget ’86, and it’s that drive and determination that makes believe that you can beat this. But still know that you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Go get’em “Kid”!!!
I was too young to have seen you play but when I look back at the highlights of the Mets of the past I always recognize how much fight you had in you. You’re in my thoughts and prayer Gary. May God be with you and your family as you Fight through this difficult time. I’m praying God gives us all one more Gary Carter Highlight.
You and your family are in my thoughts & prayers. Thanks for all the smiles you brought to Mets fans! Can’t wait to see you smiling again.
Michelle
Belford, NJ
Our thoughts are with you Gary. We wish you well. Stay strong. Love the Mathison Family
Mr. Carter, you were the ideal leader for the Mets. The fire and desire you brought to the organization, is legendary. You helped the Mets become more popular than ever before, and showed New York how good they, and you could be. You are a great man, played great ball, and we all love you. Be strong. You have me and my family of Mets fans prayers and best wishes.
You’re the best. All my mets jerseys have #8 sewn on them in your honor. I wore #8 when i played.
I know you can beat this thing
Stay strong Gary!
Get well soon Gary!
Best Wishes Kid, my thoughts and prayers are with you !
Game 6, 1986 World Series, down 2, 2 outs, 2 strikes, it was you, Gary, that led the way to that amazin’ comeback. it was you who showed us all never give up despite the odds. and now all these years later it’s that same spirit that will carry you through this, the darkest of times. God bless and keep you my friend.
Gary,
My prayers and best wishes for your battle and recovery from your illness. You were always one of my favorite players and what you brought to the fans of NY is appreciated. You played the game hard and with such obvious enthusiasm and joy, the nickname of “The Kid” is fitting.
Gary and Family,
With your great spirit and faith I truly believe you will beat this. My family prays a special pray called the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy and we will be pray it for you. May Our Lord show His great mercy and defeat this disease.
God’s Peace
to you & your family
Joe & Gloria Scarola
Queens, N.Y.
get well soon!
Gary, Best Wishes, Mets fans everywhere are praying for you,
Best Wishes!!
Get Well Gary. You are a true hero, on and off the field. Sending you many prayers and get well wishes. I know you will get through this.
We are all praying for you Gary. Your emotions and passions for the game are now being shared in your battle.
dear Garry Carter,
I am a young mets fan who was unfortunate not to see you play during your time. however by watching old games of you during the 86 season and other years I realized how much emotion and thrill that you brought to the game. it shows then just as it shows now. you put a standard fir all catchers after you to follow everyday in the games played not just in the majors but for the mets now. we fans have been bless to see a legend play during an amazing era. I hope that you see it through this terrible crisis and you have my blessing as well all mets fans blessing. your in our hearts and in our souls #8 Gary “the kid” Carter!
Gary,
I have met you a few times and at you were always the ALL STAR we love..I know that with your strength and faith this bump in the road will not stop you….Love you always..SEE YOU AT CITI for an alumni event SOON! xoxo
Donna Bauer
In 1986 we were 25, newly married and surrounded by friends who are our best friends to this day. We all, together, watched every moment of every game of that World Series. The Mets winning that World Series was one of the defining moments of our young adulthoods in Brooklyn. And it was especially thrilling for all of us to catch a glimpse of our beloved Mets at the Ticker Tape Parade downtown Manhattan! We have these precious memories that we share with our own kids now because of you Gary! Thank you for that! We are praying for you and your family, may your strength and courageous spirit carry you and yours through your treatment. God Speed for a quick and complete recovery!
The O’Brien Family
Gary, you were the guy who brought the positive attitude AND the on-field success to the Mets.
Keep the faith, and beat this thing!
Best wishes to you and your loved ones, Gary.
My prayers are with you Gary, get well soon!
you have always been my favorite player and a great person…get well soon. we will all be praying for you…
Hang in there Gary, I know you will get thru this.
Gary is truly one of the good guys to ever play this game & my favorite player, he always left his heart out on that field after every game, kid & i share the same birthday, & one time i sent him a letter & a picture i had & he wrote back to me “Dear Frank, thanks for all the kind words, best of luck & may god bless you always” its my most cherished possession that i will keep forever, i also have a personalized license plate with my initials & the number 8!!! The way he fought on that field, is the way he will fight this!! God Bless you kid!!!
Gary the kid,
May God bless you and your family through this most difficult time in your lives. You will come out of this with flying colors.
Good luck Gary.
I wish you the best Carter and our hearts and prayers are with you
Gary
It will be a tough road, but like all things in life, much good can come from it as well. I pray that your road will show you all the good that is possible
I pray for your well being.
Gary – keep fighting and we will pray for you and your family.
Get well soon Kid!
Growing up in the 80’s, you were my favorite Met. One of my fondest memories is going to West Palm Beach to watch the Expos play the Mets in a sprig training game when you were playing on the Expos. Before the game I tried to get your autograph, and my dad got your attention by yelling “Al Nipper.” You came right over and signed my journal – I was thrilled.
Best wishes from one of your biggest fans.
I will always remember that opening day at Shea when you hit a home run in your first game as a Met. It’s one of the reasons I am still a Met fan. Oh and 1986 of course. Thanks for everything you did for our team. Best wishes and a gigantic Get Well Soon!
Gary,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless and keep fighting.
The Salvia Family
Gary,
You were and remain my favorite ballplayer of all-time. As a kid I wanted to be a catcher and wear number eight to emulate you. I’ve always rooted for you become a coach on the Mets, just so I might get another chance to see you in the orange and blue. Good luck, we are pulling for you.
All the best,
Robert Emrich
I hope the same way you willed the team to victory in game 6, all the good energy we send out can help will you to victory over cancer…
Get well Gary! Some of my best Mets memories are from when you were there! Hang in there!
Dear Gary,
I wasn’t old enough to remember a lot of your Mets days but from what i have seen you were the heart of this team. I as a met fan appreciate everything you have given to this organization not only during your playing days but in the years that have followed…i wish you all the best luck and get well soon
Get well soon Kid.
Gary,
You played the game with passion and live your life with vibrance and positivity. I will never forget the times “The Kid” made me jump out of my chair in joy while watching the Mets. We are praying for you and hoping for the best.
God Bless You,
The Tarsney Family
Gary,
You will always be my favorite Met. My family and I are praying for you everyday. I had the honor of meeting you shortly after you won the World Series. You have always been one of the most approachable players I have ever met. Thank you for all of the wonderful memories you have given us. We look forward to seeing you again real soon.
God bless you always,
Ritchie Santos & Family
Brooklyn NY
Gary,
I loved watching you play for the Mets. Its time for new fight kid beat ths dreaded disease. I am praying for you .
Bob
Gary Carter will always be me my favorite player because he was as nice a guy as gets, besides being a great player. When i heard the news of you on the radio, i pulled over. I felt like someone in my family was in trouble. You made the mets in the 80’s great. You were the leader and the key to that 86 team. I always liked the positive attitude you had, and i hope you try to stay positive through this ordeal you’re going through now. The Kid. You are number 1 with me and i’m and praying for you. Good luck Gary.
My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family through these most difficult times.
God Bless
Gary. As a child, I always concidered you my hero. You were my favorite player, on my favorite team and we played the same position. I chose catcher as a player so I could be just a little bit like you. As an adult, I cherish the memories you and your teammates created for me those years ago. I took my future wife with me to your hall of fame induction. And on our honeymoon, yes, honeymoon, we went to a
Mets game in Miami, and followed it up with a 2 he drive up to see you manage in port st Lucie. We bought first row tickets behind home and I spent half the game staring into the home dugout or third base where you also coached. When I finally got some nerve up to walk over and ask for an autograph, the only words I could muster were a very soft, “uh, thanks”. And last week when we heard a snippet about you having tests run, and I searched your name on the web, I cried. I haven’t really ever met you. And the chances you’ll ever read this are slim. But I just want you to know how important you’ve been to this 34 year old, 250 lb, normally strong little boy. Because I’ll always be a little boy when I think about you. You were the greatest at what you did while you were doing it. And baseball aside, just a wonderful human being. Despite being non religious myself, I’ll pray for you Gary! You’re a fighter, a slugger, a champion. BEAT THIS!!!
Anton
gary carter the kid you and you famly i saw you go into the hall of fame im a big mets fan i reamber the 86 ws my pray goes out to you and you famly you angel is watching over you gary carter get better
Gary & family,
I pray for the Lord to give you the strength to fight this cancer, that your family is comforted by His Holy will, and that He bless your caregivers so they can help you on your road to recovery.
Dear St. Anthony, you recognized Our Lord Jesus as the Divine Healer. In your goodness and kindness, please intercede for all those who are suffering from cancer.
If it is God’s will, I ask that this day, the gift of healing be granted to them. Comfort them during times of unbearable pain, and ask our Lord to grant them peace and patience in suffering.
May God give them the fullness of life here on earth, or call them home to eternal glory forever. Amen.
Best Wishes “Kid”. Keep up the GOOD FIGHT!
Dios te bendiga, Gary eres el Mejor!!!!!. Go Mets