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 
Get well Gary!
You were my favorite baseball player growing up and I still have a picture you autographed at spring training for me.
Best wishes and take care!
Josh
Keep fighting, Kid. My thoughts and best wishes are with you & your family. Thanks for all the wonderful memories!
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
I must tell you that I have been a METS fan since 1966 & live and breathe the METS. I remember going to Shea when there was probably only 6 to 7 hundred fans in the stadium. Gary Carter was one of those players that was able to fill the Shea to the rafters. I will never forget the home run that won the game or the smile that brightened even the most dismal lose. My husband and I both belive in our Lord, Jesus Christ, and there is no one better to give your troubles to. Our payers are with Gary and his entire family at this time and know that our Lord and Savior will keep him and his family in his loving arms at this time.
Fight the good Fight.
GOD BLESS You and your family.
Gary-
Thank you for all the great Mets memories. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Game 6, 2 outs, the Kid laces a single to start the greatest comeback in World Series history. One more miracel left in you Gary….we are praying for you.
My prayers are with you and your family,Gary.May god give you the strength to fight the good fight.You are always a part of the Mets family.We will never forget how you conducted yourself both on and off the field.Take care
Thanks for some great memories, you are one of the all great Mets and will be in my prayers, fight the good fight and beat this kid!
We’re praying for you,Gary! God bless you and your family in these difficult times.God works miracles! You had a wonderful baseball career,but what really matters the most is the way you have lived your personal life.You are loved,Gary!
Keep fighting,and keep hugging that family of yours.
You brought us great joy. I pray for a full and. Speedy recovery
Dear Gary,
I didn’t start following baseball until 1986, but when I started watching the Mets you were the one I gravitated to. You seemed to approach the game with both a sense of duty and appreciation. I can only hope that someone looks back on me with the same admiration someday. Best wishes for a healthy future.
Scott
HI Gary , the first time i ever saw you play was at Shea you where on the Expos it was
in the early 80’s not sure of the year . You hit a home run down the left field line into the upper
deck right over my head i heard what a sound it made i said wow. We need to get him on our
team . So a few years later your where a Met i was so happy . Then we won the it all it 1986
with your help . l loved the way you conducted yourself on & off the field your were a True leader
on the team . I just like to say Get well soon and we like to see you at Citi Field soon so we can all welcome you back as a True Met . BE WELL
W. Skelly
Gary,
Although still young I remember the years leading up to the glorious ’86 victory. You were central to that, and you were my favorite player (Somewhere i have your Starting Lineup figure).
All my best to you for a speedy recovery!
Lee Burton, Milford CT (Met fan since ’78)
Gary,
I know you probably won’t read this, but healing thoughts and prayers have been sent your way. I know you’re going to beat this. No question!
Signed,
Mark Squire
Gary,
I became a catcher because of watching you play. I was at the 86 series and cheered you all the way. I copied your stance and it imporved my hitting. I got injured in cllege but still play in fast pitch softball and baseball leagues as well as slow pitch. I still catch even today and its all cause of you. Please have a speedy recovery.
Hey Gary “The Kid” Carter, just letting you know my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I pray that the Lord will continue to give you the strength, peace and comfort that you need to get through this and get better! God bless you friend!
As a Mets fan since ’94, I really hope you get better. I’ll pray for your recovery. Good Luck Gary.
Fight the Good Fight Kid………….. Get Well soon
Being 23 I never watched you play since I was so little, but I watched the highlights of 86 world series on tape and fell in love with you and the mets. I appreciate everything you did for the mets and pray for a speedy recovery.
Gary,
First I want to say how difficult it is for me to see you is this fight, but knowing the type of individual you are, it will be a fight till the end.Growing up in the 70′s was special to me. Many great ball players were coming up.When I saw you play for the Expos early in your career I just hoped and prayed that the Mets could be lucky enough to have a backstop as powerful as you were.It was an amazing day when you were acquired from Montreal.I knew the missing piece was now in place.I can’t mention all your special moments to me, but one surely stands out.
It was Opening Day at Shea in 1985.Your first game there wearing the blue and orange.Me, my friends and the whole sell out crowd were so psyched to see you against the Cardinals.As you struggled during this game, some fans became a little frustrated toward you,even some booing in the upper deck.I shook my head muttering”It’s only 1 game people,relax”! As you stepped to the plate against former Met Neil Allen, the fans did not know what they were about to see.The beginning of the Gary Carter era with the Mets. True to form, you deposited his pitch over the left field wall and an euphoric roar energized “Big Shea”. I’ll never forget running down the ramps leaving. I looked at my my friend and said “we are going to win a World Series very soon” A year later that dream was realized probably because of your never quit attitude ( see Game 6 in WS )
I hope and pray for you every day sir that you have a speedy recovery and get back on the field where you belong. My wishes go out to you,your wife and your whole family. May God look over and be with you during your fight.
Sincerely,
Steven Lambias
Gary, you were an all time great Met and will forever be linked to us Met fans in some way or another with the memories you provided for us…Heres hoping to many more memories for you and our thoughts and prayers are with you…Good Luck “Kid”.
Gary,
First I want to say how difficult it is for me to see you is this fight, but knowing the type of individual you are, it will be a fight till the end.Growing up in the 70’s was special to me. Many great ball players were coming up.When I saw you play for the Expos early in your career I just hoped and prayed that the Mets could be lucky enough to have a backstop as powerful as you were.It was an amazing day when you were acquired from Montreal.I knew the missing piece was now in place.I can’t mention all your special moments to me, but one surely stands out.
It was Opening Day at Shea in 1985.Your first game there wearing the blue and orange.Me, my friends and the whole sell out crowd were so psyched to see you against the Cardinals.As you struggled during this game, some fans became a little frustrated toward you,even some booing in the upper deck.I shook my head muttering”It’s only 1 game people,relax”! As you stepped to the plate against former Met Neil Allen, the fans did not know what they were about to see.The beginning of the Gary Carter era with the Mets. True to form, you deposited his pitch over the left field wall and an euphoric roar energized “Big Shea”. I’ll never forget running down the ramps leaving. I looked at my my friend and said “we are going to win a World Series very soon” A year later that dream was realized probably because of your never quit attitude ( see Game 6 in WS )
I hope and pray for you every day sir that you have a speedy recovery and get back on the field where you belong. My wishes go out to you,your wife and your whole family. May God look over and be with you during your fight.
Sincerely,
Steven Lambias
Thank You Gary! God bless you always. Thoughts and prayers from the Salvin Family.
Thanks for helping to create some great memories for me! God Speed Kid!
Kid you were an amazing player and your energy and smile were infectiouse. Great player and great mad. Fight the good fight and as you always do you will come out a winner. God bless you and you family.
You’re an inspiration to everyone; keep up the good fight, we’re all rooting for you!
You brought such excietment to the game. I never loved a player more. I idolized you and traveled many miles for the opportunity to meet you and get your autograph. I was in Cooperstown when you were inducted. It was one of the highlights of my life.You are in my prayers constantly. I wish you and your family an easy time as you recover. Be Strong Gary.
From one GARY TO GARY, keep fighting the good fight and all good things will happen, your name mate and friend GARY FRIEDLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Being a Mets fan in a family of Yankee fans has never been easy, I’ve taken alot of heat for it. I wouldn’t have it any other way! I have been a die hard Mets fan since the 80’s and that will never change. May the love and support of your fans, friends, and family see you through, and thank you for all the great years on the field.
Met fan since 62 Gary you were one of my favorites my thoughts and prayers are with you and the family
Get well kid
Bob
I had the honor of meeting you two years ago at a Camden river sharks game in New Jersey!!! I’m praying for you!!!! Hang in there ” KID” Remain positive and we’ll all be there for you!!!
As a kid of the 80’s I still have an autograph from you with “God Bless” at the end, may God bless you too! Be strong, you are in my families thoughts! get well soon…
Gary, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers as you take on this next chapter in your life. The joy and happiness that you brought to me and my family over the years has made you an everlasting piece of our Mets-related history. We wish you luck as you face Cancer, and we are rooting for a quick recovery! Stay well and our thoughts and prayers are with you!
Gary, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers!! Hope you have a quick recovery.. You are one of my all time favorite Mets players!!!
Mr Carter, thanks for all the memories you have given us in the past and more importantly thanks for the memories you will give us in the future. You will beat this as you’ve knocked out every challenge you’ve ever faced. Our thoughts and prayers go with you and we hope you get back to the business soon!
Wishing you all the best Gary. Get well soon!
Sending you best wishes and my prayers. Stay strong!!!
Gary,
Both you and your family will remain in my prayers. Get well soon “Kid”.
Our best wishes for a full and speedy recovery.
Bruce, Karen and Lee Slutsky
Thank you for all the great memories! You and your family are in my thoughts.
Good luck in your recovery, Gary. all my best wishes for you and your family.
Thank you for all the great memories. You and your family are in my thoughts.
Gary, without you and your leadership, the “86 Mets may not have won the World Series. You are the consummate professional athlete. Sending you much love and light your way. Hoping to see you at the Silver Anniversary celebration at Citifield. Keep smiling and never give up the fight. God Bless you and your Family.
Let’s Go Mets!
Elena
Although I am too young to truly understand what you mean to my favorite team, The Mets, anyoone who has brought home a World Series championship is ok in my book. I wish you a speedy recovery and hope your family and yourself lean on God because He will get you through anything. And you have the best fans in the word cheering for you-something you are already used to I’m sure.
Mr. Carter, our prayers are with you and hope you are on a speedy recovery to perfect health! God Bless and keep you!!
The Murphys
Kevin, Dolores,Mary,Grace and John
P.S. We weren’t great fans during the Expos days BUT you sure won us over!!!!
Our Payers is with you and your family. You are the Best Kids of the 80’s Thank you for everything you did for the New York Mets champions.
Get better Kid and thanks for all those great memories
Get Well Gary! Wishing you a speedy recovery.
you were my idol growing up and through my time playing ball. i try and emulate the way you carried yourself on field when i’m on field. i’m praying for your quick recovery.