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 Kid! My thoughts and prayers are with you! Don’t give up the fight!!!
I have been in your shoes. It makes you either depressed or you can nut up and enjoy each precious moment as i did. I think the communication was more meaningful and the effort my entire family put into our relationships seemed more fulfilling. Just know that you are loved by millions of fans that keep you in there prayers daily. Can’t take out “The Kid”. Let’s Go Gary !
Get Well Gary! We love you and our prayers go with you.
My prayers are with you, Gary. Hope you recover! – Kathy McCartin, Garnerville NY
I hope things work out for you Gary your the Best. Get well soon.
I’ve been a met fan since their birth in 1962 and still am. you were always on of my favorite players even before you came to the Mets. Always hoped that some day you would come to the Mets. when you came over to the Mets that was the final piece to the puzzle.THAT GAVE THE mets the 1986 word series. With 324 life time homers that leaves you with one more to hit and you will to beat this thing it will be like the 2 home runs that you crushed over the greem monster in Fenway park and I know you can do this because you are a winner.My prayers go out to you and your family. God bless you.
Richard Trivelli
I have been a METS fan since 1973. But when you came, it was amazing. I became a baseball fan. You are not only my baseball idol, but an amazing person. I met you twice and you signed pictures of you and I. I cherish those pictures.
You have such a way about you. You have strength that will get you through this. My prayers are with you everyday.
I even named my cat after you….KID…lol. Your fans are here for you. You are one of the most amazing people I have met in my lifetime.
“catch you soon” Joyce
BIGGEST PRAYERS FOR A HEALTHY. MET YOU IN 1986 the night you busted up your knee. You were hurt but still stopped to talk to me and some of my friends. You gave me an autograph on a dollar bill. I still have it in my scrapbook. God Bless you Gary Carter!!!
It is not only who you once were,it is who you will be as you recover that will make fans proud.
hay Gary, I have recently gone through a bout with cancer, and I had a great support team behind me, a loving wife who also watched the mets in 86, and 2 sons 1 in college and one working in the real world. It looks to me like you have one of the biggest support groups in the country. just remember to keep your chin up and your body in front of the ball. Good luck to you and your family, we will all be praying for you and a speedy recovery
I remember when I met you in New Rochelle while having lunch at Zanaros restaraunt with Davey Johnson. Your my favorite Met player and always will be!!
GARY CARTER YOUR THE BEST!!!! BEAT THIS THING AND FEEL BETTER!!!!
Wishing you the best in life.
We were there watching for you and rooting for you. We’re here for you now. May God keep you and heal you. A VIP in my book!
Gary – our thoughts prayers and positive energy are being sent your way. You were an inspiration as a player. “The Kid” always played till the last out! game #6 in 1986 WS as evidence! God Bless,
We were always there, watching you & rooting for you. Now we’re there more than ever. God will keep and protect you. We all love you.
I grew up watching you play and you were one of the reasons I became a lifelong Mets fan. I am wishing you a full recovery.
Many prayers to Gary and his family. Wishing you a full,speedy recovery!You will always be a MET!
Get well soon Gary!
Thanks for all the great moments of enjoyment you gave us culminating in the magical world series championship of 1986.
Be strong!
Gary Just wanted to send message to let U know how much ur loved by this Mets fan. U gve me such great memories when U played for METSY. I loved the player U were b4 U played for the Mets and was sooo thrilled when they got U. God bless U I’m praying for you. Love Rose from the Jersey Shore.
Gary:
Wishing you the best of luck and a recovery from your illness. Thank you for the great Mets memories. You were always a credit to the game. I remember one year I visited Mets Fantasy camp on the day the final day of teh camp when the pros played the campers. You signed every card, hat, piece of paper that people gave you. You were there for well over an hour and I will never forget how you treated all the fans.
Hi Gary,
Unfortunately I never seen you play :(, But i have watched old videos of you when i watched the re-runs wit my dad and wished i could have seen you play. Well keep fighting, you will beat this. We are all praying for you. Best Wishes to you and your family.
Gary,
You continue to be an inspiration to so many people. Sending prayers for peace and strength through this next battle.
I know you will beat this. Just like you beat up the NL East. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Gary,
One of my fondest memories is when you took the time at Spring Training to sign an autograph and take some pictures with me. As busy as you were, you took the time to make a longtime fan very happy. You deserve all the best…and I am sending all my prayers and positive thoughts your way.
xoxo
Joan
Once as a little boy you reach out to me by postcard and ” WISHED ME GOOD LUCK” and TOLD ME GOD BLESS YOU”!!!! WELL,…..words can’t express how badly i feel for you and your family and know many people are pulling for you out here!!!! YOU ARE LOVED AND YOU ARE “THE KID”~~~~ From my family to yours i return your kind words you ONCE HAD FOR ME “GOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS”
Gary…my prayers are with you and your family. I witnessed my sister go through this battle and unfortunately, she lost the fight. But you keep fighting!!! There is hope! A lot of advancements have been done in the past few years regarding this particular type of tumor. Stay strong Gary. You will beat this. Ya’ gotta believe. You’ll always be the Kid in my book. Lots of love and strength.
you will always be a MET and a wonderful giving and caring person and now all those good wishes you have given to others are being sent to you.my prayers go out to you and your family always loved
Get well Gary! You were always my favorite on the 86 team!
Hi Gary,
I just want to thank you for all the great memories you provided me during your career with the Mets. As a young kid, watching you hit the Opening Day homer at Shea, keeping Game 6 alive, and belting your 300th at Wrigley, are priceless memories for a now 36 year old man.
My prayers are with you and your family as you fight valiantly through this hour. if anybody can beat this, its you, Gary. God is on your side.
Be well, stay strong.
Rob
Maspeth, Queens, NY
Gary,
You a are one of the greatest the game has ever seen. Both on and off the field!
Get well soon!
Stay strong! We love you!
we are all hoping that everyone is praying.
Gary,
In 1986 my brother, life long Mets Fan had some medical problems that put him in the hospital and postponed his wedding. I firmly beleive cheering you and the rest of the team on helped him regain his health. We will do the same for you. We wish you God’s Blessings and Love.
Angela & Fazio/Buro Family
Stay strong Gary all us Met fans are pulling for you, thanks for all you’ve done to make the Mets a winner.
GARY
Your a upstanding guy who deserves nothing but the best but I am sure you will surpass this and beat this.Best wishes to you and your family.
Thoughts and Prayers are with you and your family on this diffcult battle. I know you well get through this like the Champ you are. Get Well Soon Kid. Can’t wait to see you walk in Citi Field and throw out the First Pitch of the World Series.
We love you, Kid! Best wishes to you and your family!
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
We are praying for you Gary. Keep battling as you did in game 6 of the world series in 86. You know what it takes to get that two out hit when you need it! God Bless you and your family. Thank you for the memories and image of what a sport hero should be, to a speedy recovery!
Gary – AKA “The Kid” – I wanted to share a story with you – it was Spring Training in 1973 and a couple of young freshmen from St. Francis College in Brooklyn were hitchhiking along a highway in Florida to get to the “Spring Break” festivities when this convertible car, driven by a young man, pulled over to pick up the three guys and drive them southward. The conversation revealed that the car’s driver was a young ballplayer for the Montreal Expos who had just been drafted. He was a catcher and both handsome and gregarious and, in the course of the few hours spent together, this young man told the college boys that he was going to make the team, become an all-star and would one day be elected to The Hall of Fame. The three young men were impressed but had their doubts about all of that – but it turned out that the car’s driver was none other than one Gary Carter and my late brother-in-law, Joe Bandelt, even though a lifelong Yankees fan, took as much pleasure in your success as did any Expos and Mets fan!
On another note, I was there the night you would not make the last out in the 1986 World Series and, therefore, ignited the rally heard around the baseball world! Thank you!
My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family and if you fight like you did in the 9th inning of Game 6 back in ’86 then you will win this contest, too! Good Luck!
John F. Hartnett
Wishing you well.
Dear Gary, the fight and love of life you have always shown will help you in this fight. My prayers and best wishes I send to my absolute favorite Met of all time. Fight, Kid, fight.
Gary – Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Keep fighting and God Bless you.
Gary, No One Fights Alone! All my prayers and well wishes go out to you and your family.
Stay strong!
Keep fighting Gary. We are all praying for you.
Craig
Gary, Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family at this time. God bless you and have a speedy recovery.
Get Well Gary!! Thanks for the championship in ’86 & the great memories! We are all praying for you & your family!!
Keep fighting, Kid. If anyone deserves a full and speedy recovery it’s you!
Hi Gary,
We are all praying for you. Keep fighting the way the Mets did in 86. You are a true champion and a great person. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.