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 
Even before December 10, 1984, you were a terrific catcher and a well-respected opponent. On the fateful December day when you became a Met, I knew that great days were to follow.
Your contributions to the Mets have been well documented, and your off-field activities have always been for everyone’s betterment. Now, in this fight, we want you to come back the same way the Mets did in Game 6. Just like that game where you started the rally, one step at a time will beat this.
Take care and best wishes. We want to see you get the honor you truly deserve if and when the Mets decide to retire number 8 (by the way, we share the same birthday-April 8).
Andrew P, Brooklyn, NY (Mets fan since 1969)
Dear Gary,
You were a great part of the Mets success in ’86! I wasn’t born yet but my dad STILL tells me stories about how great you were and it makes me wish I was around to see you play. You are in many Mets fans prayers! I hope you stay strong and beat this. Goodluck to you and your family and get well soon 🙂
Met fan since birth here…and also a fan of the game. Gary Carter you have been an icon in the league for as long as I can remember. When you joined the Mets it was a great day for all Mets fans.
I send you love, prayers and appreciation for all you have given us baseball fans over the years. I hope you kick this thing’s a$$ and live a long healthy life. We love you Gary. God Bless you. Be well.
Joey Morelli
Gary, your passion and strength is an inspiration to us all. You’re a legend both as a ballplayer and a person. Every fan is lucky to have seen you play, and anyone who has met you is even luckier to have had the pleasure. All the best Kid, we’re all pulling for you.
Gary,
Get well soon kid. I may have been a little young in 86 but thanks for everything you did. Keep fighting like a trooper that you are.
Best wishes to you, Gary Carter! Keep fighting Kid!
Gary…wishing all works out for you…you were one of my favorite players and a great broadcaster.
Thanks for the great memories and I hope you get well soon!!!!! Rooting for you!!!!!!
Chicky Lyons
Gary – you have been in my thoughts and prayers! My sisters and I met you many times at Mets Spring Training and you were always a class act! So many great memories!!! You have always been my FAVORITE Met!!! Hope you get well soon….stay positive! You have so many people praying for you! ❤
All the best to you, Gary! Your enthusiasm for the game was contagious. I’ll always remember that single that kept Game 6 vs. the Red Sox going!
Dear Gary Carter,
Still a hero. Praying for you.
God Bless,
Courtney
Best Wishes and prayers for you. God Bless you .
Gary, Stay strong and show the spirit that lead the 86 Mets to glory. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this rough time. May God Bless, Jim
Get well Mr. Carter!
Thanks for all you have done for baseball!! My prayers are with you and your family!!
Get well, Gary. You showed how much resolve you have in Game 6. You can do it now.
Matt Kalman
To my favorite player ever,
I met you a few times back in 1987 and 1988, and I’ll never forget your generosity, kindness and love for your fans. Get well (and please come back and catch for the Mets).
Melissa
Wishing you prayers and positive thoughts. You are such a key part of our Mets memories! Get well soon, Gary.
Dear Gary,
I think of this like it’s 2 outs and 2 strikes and down 5-3 in the bottom of the 10th……1 strike from elimination…….and we all know how that turned out……… If you fight this with all that you have like you did when you played baseball….. you will come out like the winner that you are….
Best wishes ……….you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Mr. Carter,
You and your family have been in my thoughts a lot. I came to be a fan of yours the first time I saw you play. And I can still replay the 1986 season in my mind like it was yesterday. It is extremely rare for an athlete to be blessed with so much talent, and still be someone that can be admired and respected. When my son was born in 2002, I gave him the middle name of Carter, after my favorite baseball player. Now he is 9, has been diagnosed with autism, and is the most amazing child. He loves to listen to me talk about how I named him after such a wonderful baseball player. He wears the biggest smile on his face, and I know that you were always known for an infectious smile, as well.
You’re facing a huge battle right now. You have an amazing support system in your family and loved ones, and your medical team. My family and I will continue to have you in our thoughts, and hope that every day carries along with it new hope and encouragement for you.
Julie Seaford, Ohio
Gary,
Keep fighting and keep smiling.
Gary,
You made 1986 one of the best years of my life!
Not only did I win the pool at work 4 times during the world series, my husband and I watched one of the best world series ever in October. Because of you it was so wonderfully memorable. I pray for you every single day.
Judy Hillmann
Dear Gary
My Best Wishes and my prayers are with you and your family. You were a fighter and you can beat this too. Still remember your last at bat as a Met. A double off Roger McDowell to keep the game going!
Gary
We know you’re treating this the same way you treated a two-strike, Game 6 fastball from Schiraldi… Do we feel sorry? Sure. For the tumors. Glad to be rooting for you to go out and kick your opponent’s ass. Again.
Get well soon, Kid.
Tom
Gary you play in my team in Puerto Rico Caguas Criollos in the 70″s you love the seventh inning song Que Te Parece Cholito, HOPE GET WELL SOON ,WE CALL YOU MR.CHOLITO IN CAGUAS Health GOD Bless Kid
Gary Carter you are my favorite Met of all time. I recently lost my 50 year old sister from cancer so I know cancer is never easy to deal with. Please know my prayers are with you. I know you are a spirtual man and a strong man and you will get through this. Love Lizzy
Dear Kid,
I was 11 years old when you came to the Mets. You were a great professional catcher who me and my brothers looked up to. You quickily became our favorite player when you arrived in New York. I remember the 85, 86, 87, 88 seasons fondly. You gave us so much to cheer for and root for!! The excitement on your face when you had a game winning hit!! You are always well spoken and liked!! My brother even went out to Arizona to see you at your first Spring Training with the Giants!!!
As an Amazing Met, you know, ” Ya Gotta Believe !! ”
We all believe you can do this Kid!!!!
See you back at this park soon!!
Matt
Dear Gary,
Growing up as a Mets fan during the ’70’s, every time the Expos came to Shea, I always wished that the Mets could have a player with such toughness, drive and talent as Gary Carter. When you came to the Mets prior to the 1985 season, I knew that you were the final piece to a championship team, and you did not let me or the other Mets fans down. You are a class act in every sense of the term, and your conduct both on and off the field is what all professional athletes should aspire to emulate. It is always difficult to hear that a man in the prime of his life is very ill, especially when he is one of the good guys. Hope you get well soon and don’t ever give up–thank you for all the great years with the Mets, and lets see you the next time the ’86 Mets get recognized at Citi Field!
Dear Gary,
When I think back as far as I can remember, I loved baseball. My entire family loves baseball. Especially our Montreal Expos. When I think of the Expos, Gary Carter is always the first name that comes to my mind. I’m 38 yrs old now, I play softball every Tuesday and I proudly wear no.8 on my jersey in honor of you! I had the honour of meeting you last year when you played golf at a charity event at The Grand Cypress in Orlando Fl. in which I am employed at. I was in awe meeting you, thank you for the signed baseball cards. I proudly carried your clubs to the warm up teebox. Sounds dumn but that was an honour as well. I couldnt wait to get home and call all my family back in Canada and tell them who I just got to meet! You are a hero, humanitarian and a gift from God! Good luck in your battle with cancer. Keep strong in your faith and you will survive anything! Thank you for being a great role model to the world!
Todd Henry- Windermere Florida
Dear Gary,
I have been a Mets fan since 1962. I was at the first Wrold Championship in 1969. However, you were one of the most memorable players to watch. You always gave 110% and you were a gentleman. I wish you all the best and you will be remembered, Thank you.
Norman
Dear Gary,
You gave us many great moments with the Mets. We’ll always remember your passion for the
game and your gritty determination to win. We’re rooting for you to win this battle with the same
courage you showed on the field. All the best to you and your family.
Tom and Patti Marquardt
dear gary, you have always been my favorite met….you are in my prayer. may God give you the strength needed at this difficult time. thank you for all the wonderful memories.
Dear Gary,
My family and I have been life-long METS fans. You were the best catcher we ever had. We loved your never give up attitude and loved your enthusiasm and passion for the game. Thanks for the great memories which we will never forget. We pray that you feel better soon.
Mary Meyer
Dear Gary,
Get Well. You will be in our prayers. Believe you can and you’re halfway there. Quote by Theodore Roosevelt. I hope to see you at Citifield in the future which would bring us (Mets Fans) such joy. My best wishes for your recovery. Happy Father’s Day!!!
dear gary, always my favorite met……!!!!! God bless you and give you the strength to overcome this. thank you for all the great memories.
Dear Gary,
You are the BEST catcher the Mets have ever had. I’ve been a Met Fan for 42 years. I have followed your career from the beginning. You are the Best . Get Well Soon. My prayers are with you and your family.
EA Walker
Gary, You would never leave as the last out and we will never give up on you. Keep fighting.
Dear Gary,
I watched you and the Mets growing up and still do. My Dad and I are true Mets Fans for a very long time. I couldn’t believe when I heard the news about your illness. I work with someone who lost her oldest son 25 yrs of age for the same thing. He fought it for 5 years. It will be 1 yr he lost his life on July 8th, 2011. I wish you well wishes, keep your spirit up, and listen to what the doctors tell you. My heart and prayers go out to you and your family in this time of need.
Nancy Gagliano
A true and will always be Mets Fan.
Our prayers are with you and your family. Thanks for all the great Met’s memories!
Dear Gary
I wear my shirt with your name and number to the Mets games. My wishes to you for a recovery.
Louise
Dear Gary,
I’ve been a huge fan since I was a little kid. I was lucky enough to meet you when I was 10 yrs old. My thoughts are with you. Keep fighting. Best wishes.
Lori Vella
Gary, thanks for the great memories from the Mets and other teams you played for. You are an inspiration to all of us and you will beat this!
Pete
Get well Kid ! I grew up watching you play ball …. You are part of my childhood along with your teammates in ’86 …. I wish you well and my prayers are with you ! …..
Best Wishes
Brian K.
Gary,
It was such a thrill to watch you play. The enthusiasm you showed for the game and the joy you brought Mets fans will always be remembered. Stay strong, you can beat this.
Get well soon!
John Varuolo
Dear Gary,
Thanks for the memories during the 1980s on those great Met teams.
I was there watching from the mezzanine when you hit your first dinger in 85
and saw many great ones after that. Best wishes and a speedy recovery.
Ira Langstein
Dear Gary,
I grew up in Long Island watching the early 80’s Mets, and things were not looking very good. Thanx to some big time prospects, and The trade for Keith, this ballclub became a competitor. However, if it weren’t for the trade to acquire you, the 86 Mets don’t win! You were my favorite Met player growing up! You are a Hall of Famer, and more importantly, a great person, and i know that you will beat this! My thoughts and prayers are to you and your family.
Mark Tartaglione
Gary,
Thanks for the wonderful memories…just writing this to let you know that I pray you beat this setback and that you will make many trips to Queens and Citifield for many years to come…God bless you and your family and Happy Fathers Day…
Gary,
I remember how happy you made me in the 80s with the Mets and how sad I was when I knew you were playing your last games as a Met. I wish – and pray – for your health to improve so you can show up at Citi Field to reveal your duely retired #8.
Dear Gary,
I know that you are going through very tough times…But you have the support of the entire Mets Organization,Expo Fans as well as the MLB and the other teams. Just keep on fightin and you have our support thanks for the great memories…
Hi Gary
Godd Luck in your upcoming days . I am a Cancer suriver .It’s a tough road but I know u being the Kid will handle it well u always were a leader on the field ad off. Thanks for all the great moments u provided to us Mets fans. Good Luck and keep on fighting.
Dear Gary,
I have been a fan of yours since your early days with the Expos. You made a significant impact in my life and taught me how to love the game as a child. I hope you get better and cant wait to see you back on the field. Good luck and you will be in our prayers. Giorgio Zeppieri Jr.
Dear Gary,
I grew up in Flushing and followed the Mets since their start. I still remember the day I heard you came to the team, I thought they were kidding me. I barely can recall a player with such
enthusiasm and love for the game. You were a powerhouse on the field. Thanks for all the great
memories, you are a class act .Hope you feel better and get well soon.
Mike Ehrenman