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 
You entered our hearts with your first game in a Mets uniform. You were one of the two leaders of the best team that has ever worn that same uniform. Your spirit and smile made you a fan favorite as much as your bat. Keep battling where there is life there is hope. Thank you for everything you have ever done for my favorite team. I will forever see you lifting Jesse Orosco in victory and I was lucky enough to attend game 4 in Boston and see you show how small Fenway can be when a hitter is in a groove.
GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS WILL KEEP YOU IN OUR PRAYERS
Gary you were the heart of the 1986 Mets! You made them a team, you are a wonderful person besides being an awesome Met, my prayers and my heart are going out to you.If anyone can beat this you can!! You brought alot of memories to my son and I during that 1986 year and I thank you I will never forget you pumping your hand in the air after a home run! Love you Gary!
Only now do we all realize what a player and person you were as a met..I have been long life fan..You were the energy of mets then and you are still are now…thank you for being you..sincerely scott passanante, elmira mi
I was a big fan when you were with the Expos and was blown away when you came to NY. You madde us a winning team. You were a stand up player and a great role model. I wish you the best of health. Right now you are up in game 6 with 2 out in the ninth. I know you will come through once again!!!
God Bless you and your family. Thank you for all the memories!
Our prayers to Gods hands keep the faith.
When you see the videos of his time with the Mets, you always see a guy loving the game, his teamates and it was one of the reasons we Met fans fell in love with him.
I wish you the best, a full recovery and its said a man can be measured of what others thought of him, well, we Met fans loved you!!!!
When you stepped up to the plate when there were 2 outs in the 86 world series you were determined not the make the last out, and you didn’t. That’s why I believe that you will beat this!!! Get well and Godspeed Gary.
Dear Mr.Carter, You are a class act and the type of ballplayer I always admired and wanted to be. Thanks for all the great memories and a speedy recovery.
Gary, you gave me enough memories to last a lifetime, and I thank you for that…. I enjoyed your style, your willingness to perform at a high level, & your professionalism.. I wish you all the best… Get well soon!…
Gary – My prayers are with you and your family for God’s strength during this difficult time, and for a full recovery.
You and the 86 Mets have always been favorites of mine.
God Bless
Lots of prayers & good thoughts Mr. Carter!
My earliest memories are watching the NY Mets while my grandfather watched the first Met teams on his Black & White TV in Brooklyn. My love for this team grew as I did, and have often been the butt of jokes from friends and coworkers who called me a “big kid”. When I answered that’s why you were my favorite player, my friend Jackie made me an awesome T-shirt on which she drew a picture of you in your catcher’s gear. While I can no longer wear that shirt, my 21-yr old daughter proudly wears it now. While it is a little faded and worn, your strength and spirit still shine bright. I know that they will bring you through this challenge. Our love & prayers are with you and your family!
The joy I got from watching you play lit up my summers. My thoughts and prayers are with you and you family as you fight the good fight.
Gary-
I have been a Yankees fan since 1960 but your arrival in New York made me put the Yanks in second position. God bless you and heal you.
Gary, I became a fan of yours back when you played in Puerto Rico for the Caguas Criollos. Your hustle, great bat and great personality were always there to admire. Afterwards you became a Met and that really thrilled me. As a Met, your years there were great years with great memories for me and my kids. Take care and may God always bless you and your family.
Gary – As a young reporter, you were my first interview ever. It was the night you and Yogi and Johnny Bench and Pudge Rodriguez, Carlton Fisk, etc were on hand to honor Mike Piazza at Shea. While I was incredibly nervous and more than somewhat in awe, you couldn’t have been more gracious to me, patting the dugout bench for me to come have a seat and chat, which we did at length. To learn first-hand that one of your heroes is even more of a great guy than you thought he was, it fills my heart every time, since it’s all too rare. You’ve given so much to so many people, Gary, and always with a smile – a big broad one. Please know how much you are in all of our hearts. And wishing courage, strength, peace, hope, etc to you and your family.
Remember sitting there at Shea at the end of Game 6, when everyone thought all hope was gone, and you got a hit to spark that amazing rally that thrilled all of us fans. I think you might have another miracle within you, and am pulling for you and your family.
I remember when my whole family watched you play, during the seasons, the series, even your 300th home run. Thank you for the memories.
Our church put up your name in our prayers, we all all rooting for you still! Our prayers are with you.
Gary, I was a senior in High School in 1986 and am a lifelong Mets fan. You were such a great role model. I always loved baseball and watching the Mets but there is no doubt that you were clearly the backbone of that team and the reason for the Mets turn around. I am very sad to hear about you having a disease. I am not a very religious man but I am praying for you. You helped make my dreams come true by bringing me my first World Series win that I remember and if it means anything, I will be there praying for you to beat this thing. Thank you for everything Kid.
I REMEMBER WHEN YOU WERE TRADED TO THE METS I WAS SOOOO HAPPY FELT BAD FOR THE EXPOS BUT SOOOO HAPPY WE HAD YOU HERE IN NY I KNEW THEN WE WOULD WIN THE WS. AND YOU DID 2 MONSTER SHOTS IN BOSTON WOW. THAT STANDS OUT THE MOST. ANYWHO I JUST WANT TO SAY GET WELL AND HAVE FAITH KID. US MET FANS LOVE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY SOOOO MUCH OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
As a devout Mets fan, you gave me so many thrills in the 1980’s. Have always admired you kindness, smile and great heart ! Have prayed for your speedy recovery and will continue to pray. May god bless you and your family…
We are all rooting for you Gary. Keeping you in my prayers.
Good luck Gary – I Believe in you and your will to get through this very challenging situation. Be strong and keep your head up!
Gary,
We’re all pulling for you, get well. Fight like we know you can. We’re with you in battle once again. God Bless you and your family.
My mother was diagnosed with GBM Stage 4 (temporal lobe, which sounds different than Gary’s case) in April and we feel the family strain every day. Yet we are proud of her for getting up every morning and doing as she is told by her medical team, and so far she is winning the fight. Although every case is different, I expect nothing less from Gary. I grew up near Philadephia in the 80’s and watched him play regularly against the Phillies, always impressed with his character on and off the field.
Good luck to Gary and his family and don’t be afraid to reach out to to ask for help.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I hope and pray that you will beat this and have a healthy recovery.
I hope and pray for the best Gary.. your attitude and spirit made a young boy from Alabama a lifelong fan of not only you, but baseball! Thank you for all you have done and always know that we are all rooti.g for you! Best wishes Gary and our prayers and good thoughts are with you!!!
As a Yankees fan, I don’t watch many Mets games but I do know who you are and I am rooting for your speedy recovery. You’re a strong man and you will beat this, stay strong Mr. Carter
Gary, You were kind enough to send me an autographed picture when my son was born in 86. The Picture Hangs Promently in my sons room to this day. He And I are among your Biggest Fans. God Bless you and Help you through this latest Challenge. We Hope And Pray for your full recovery.
In 1986 you gave the Mets all you had. Now we, as true Met fans are giving all we have, in our kind words and thoughts and most of all our prayers. May almighty God, wrap His loving arms around and your family and make you well. Get well soon Kid.
When I think of the Mets, you are always in the picture. Sincerest wishes for a successful and speedy recovery!
Gary, I will never forget the Summer of ’86, and the spirit you showed that brought the Mets to a 20 game lead in the NL East, and a World Championship. God bless, Gary…don’t give up fighting the good fight!
Gary, my best wishes as you fight this thing. You have always extolled the virtues of faith to your fans. I pray that your faith will sustain you, no matter how tough the road ahead may be. You have always exuded confidence, class and warmth to the public. I hope that you will know when to reach out to others for help as you take on your illness. I will say a prayer for you at Mass and for others struggling with the same illness. God Bless you, Gary Carter.
GARY- YOU ARE ONE OF MY FAVORITE METS OF ALL TIME. MY FRIEND AND I WERE AT GAME 1 AND 7 OF THE1986 WORLD SERIES. IT WAS ONE OF THE GREATEST MOMENTS IN OUR LIVES. PLEASE KNOW THAT EVERY MET FAN IS ROOTING AND PRAYING FOR YOU. I WAS A CATCHER IN SCHOOL, AND I KNOW CATCHERS ARE THE TOUGHEST AND STRONGEST. THE BEST TO YOUR FAMILY AND KEEP THE FAITH.
I believe in miracles, signs, and wonders. God is great, and greatly to be praised. I was always a great fan of yours, and I am cheering and praying for you now.
Gary, All my hopes and prayers are with you for a speedy recovery. I know you will beat this and I can’t wait to see you walk out on Citi Field and stand at home plate. When you do that I will stand up and cheer for you. God speed for a quick and complete recovery.
Gary. I am the biggest Met fan that you have ever seen. Thank you for five wonderful years of day in and day out playing baseball with the heart of a lion. The players today should learn from your passion and drive to be the best that you can be. I know you can kick the crap out of this terrible disease. Its only one obstacle that you will overcome. My prayers go out to you and your family.
I still have your jersey, an old school psychotherapist here
in New Mexico now. Besides seeing you at Shea I had my
husband bring me to Macy’s NYC, where you graciously
signed autographs for both of us. I still can see your infectious smile and your vibrancy. May that wondrous
vibrancy fill you with both courage and comfort, and a knowingness that many are traveling with your right now..
Standing firm in faith with you and your family, trusting in the promises of His Word: And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Phill 4:19, NKJV; He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Psalm 107:20, NKJV; Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-5, NKJV
Gary,
Loved the way you played the game. The best part was that you always seemed to enjoy playing and it certainly showed up in the stats. I have fond memories of the Mets teams with you as the catcher. I was always rooting for you and I still am.
Gary your influence in New York is enormous. My first memories of anything Mets involve you be it not getting the last out in Game 6. Hitting a Walk-Off in your first ever game, or the pictures of you that covered the walls at Shea. Have a quick recovery. It wouldn’t be the same without you.
You have and always will be my favorite Mets player. I saw you get inducted at Cooperstown and it was so wonderful to see you in person. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. My license plate is personalized with your number on it.
You always played the game right and inspired others to do the same. Whether it was against us or Leading us to the Championship. You and your family will be in me & my family’s thoughts & prayers.
Gary – Best of luck and many prayers to you and your family. My wife just recently lost her battle with melanoma cancer. She fought long and hard against it and cherished every day she had here. You can beat this Gary. There’s a lot to be said for the power of love and prayer. You have both.
Wishing you a quick and healthy recovery!!!
You were an inspiration to all fans, so much so that I admired you even before you became a Met You were the essence of dignity on the field. You played with grit, guile, class, determination, unbridled joy and an unyielding will to win. May those same attributes walk with you during this fight. My prayers are with you and your family.
I have always been a big fan of yours. I wish you a speedy recovery.
I was one of your biggest fans as a child. I hope you have a speedy and healthy recovery.