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 
Gary I will pray for you. Put your faith in God as through Him all things are possible. As a big Met fan since a kid it wasnt until the Kid arrived in NY that we had hope again and we witnessed gthe second coming of the Amazing Mets. Thanks for the memories and keep your eyes on the Lord!
Gary hopefully words to give you and your family a little peace -n- comfort ; Sorrow looks back, Worry looks around but Faith looks up. Gary remain positive, have hope and focus on all the good in your life, Peace Brother
Gary you were a great player but beyond that you were a great person. I pray for your complete recovery.
Gary, my husband and I have been die-hard Mets fans since the ’86 season, and we have you in thought and prayer. We ask the Lord to bless you and your family, and we hope for whatever is best. You have always been a wonderful role model and a class act. From one cancer patient to another, fight hard, Kid!
Marie & John Harvey
Gary,
I pray for you and i know you are already in the lords hands. I remember opening day 1985 well.. I was a college senior and blew off a finance presentation to come to the game. You sent me home smiling.. even thoughi knew an “f” was waiting for me wheni got back to college.
Terry
One f the greatest players who gave me my greatest memory. You can come back again!
From our family to yours, we wish you nothing but the best!
Suffering has been stronger than all other teaching, and has taught me to understand what your heart used to be. I have been bent and broken, but – I hope – into a better shape. –Charles Dickens
Good Luck
God you bless you and your family
I got out the army in Jan. 1986 and you and the rest of the Mets gave me a great first year of life outside the military.I was very sad when word was given about your condition .We fans all hope you can come through this.We want to see you back at the park as soon as you can.
Gary,
Me and my mom are praying for you to make a speedy recovery. 25 years you helped the Mets to a World Series Championship, and if you pull through this time of crisis you are a champ. You may have gone into Cooperstown as an Expo, but you’ll always be a Met. I wish the Mets would retire your #8, because that belongs to nobody but you. Stay tough now…OK.
Pray you get Well.
Great player. I became a fan in 86 at an 8 year old, and remember Gary Carter as the hussle behind the team.
Gary is a class individual and I wish him nothing but the best. I can still remember learing what Leukemia was due to Gary’s involvement while with the Mets. Gary was a true role model on a team that had a lot of off-field issues to say the least in the mid-80’s. You are a beloved member of the most memorable team in Mets history in my generation. You’ll beat this thing as badly as you did those two moon shots at Fenway in Game 4.
we love you gary you will be mr met forevery
May the Lord carry you through these hard times, know that your fans are 100% rooting for a speedy recovery. Praying for you and your family!!!
Gray,
You & your family are in my thought & prayers. May you have the same fight & passion fighting this illness as you did on the field. You set such a positive example to so many during your career and I am sure even more to those who really know you. God bless you and know that soooooo many are in your corner praying & rooting you on to a full recovery!!!!
You could never know how you touched my life on and off the field… And how much of an effect you had on my life (before you were a met, I believe I was the only grade school kid in NJ wearing an Expo hat every day – and not just any Expo hat, but the spirit of ’76 hat!! and had to explain who you were and why I followed you)… hang tough and please get well.
Best Wishes Gary. You always gave 100% effort on ther field and I know that you will do the same in your battle to get well.
i met you once at a free autograph siging at a bank in nyc. you were so nice to everyone there. taking the time to speak with every person. may god help you in your time of need.
WE’RE ROOTING FOR YOU GARY!
Wishing you a quick recovery, Gary.
You were my hero and turned me into a MET fan for life after 1984.
My prayers are with you and your family.
Gary,
Best wishes for a fast and speedy recovery.
Hi Gary,
I came to this country in September of 1986 (6 years old) and my first ever game was a Mets game. As we know, shortly after The Mets won the World Series and it was then that I fell in love with baseball. Not only did it confirm my love for The Mets, but I remember meeting you in Macy’s and you handed me an autographed picture. That made me love the game and The Mets even more. You know 25 years later I still have that photo in perfect condition. You are in our prayers and I wish you all the best. Here is to an outstanding career!!
I grew up adoring you, met you several years ago and you are the most gracious and kind celebrity. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. As you said on all the autographs you so kindly wrote for me, ‘God Bless Always’.
Hi Gary,
I was always a big fan. I want to wish you well with this illness. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Kid!
You brought so much joy to the people in Montreal when you played with the Expos – now it’s our turn to give back to you. You are in our thoughts and we wish you peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Our family have been Met fans since the very beginning, we loved it when you, Keith, Ron etc. played, it was a special team then. We loved watching the team play, you gave us many hours of fun & sometimes tears but it was great.
So now, Gary, it is our turn to give to you, with prayers, love & support. You don’t know so many of us that really are praying to give you & your family the strength to come thru this.
Remember, God doesn’t put any more on our plates then we can handle, He will always be there with you
I became a METS fan because of you. You were my childhood idol and you still are. I copied everything from your batting stance to your catching style. You and your family are in my prayers. We love you Gary Carter. God Bless you.
Wishing there is a cure. You have been a great person and hope there is a miracle out there for you. Our prayers are with you. Hang in there KID.
Gary, you are loved by many as well as admired and respected. I hope your strength of spirit and undying resolve to win will get you through this. It won’t be easy but obstacles never stopped you before. Get well soon, brother.
Dear Gary,
You were one of my true idols growing up. I’ll never forget your 2 HR game in the ’86 Series and starting The Rally in Game 6. I still remember the American Chicle poster hanging in my room as an 8-year-old when you were traded to the Mets. Of all of my favorite players growing up, you were the only one I appreciated more as I got older and admire more now than I did then, and that’s saying a lot!
Get well soon, Kid! I wish you and your family all the best as you recover and, God willing, beat this. I just know you’ll start another rally.
Mr. Carter, from the botton of our heart our prayer are in your favor. The Lord Jesus stills making miracles in this time. You are a great guy and your lagacy as a Professional Player improves lot of minor players to reache their goal as baseball player from Pampers time to minor leaguers. May the Lord bless you and you will aroaund USA and Puerto Rico giving your testimony of sanity.
I wear my Mets tattoo with pride because of you! Thoughts and prayers are with you, Gary.
You are in my thoughts & prayers. Get well soon!
My step-mom and I still think of you as our favorite Met. We send you our best wishes for a easy time ahead and full recovery. Fight as you played and you’ll make it. Our hearts are with you.
Barbara Miller
Henny Miller
Dear Gary,
Every time my wife and I sit down to supper in our home, we pray for you and your family. You are one of our all-time favorites, as a player and as a person.
As a player you impressed me as someone who never gave up. Even in the twilight of your career, with nothing more to prove, you still ran out every ground ball hard. Keep that spirit! We’re still cheering for you!
Gary –
In 1978 at Shea you signed an autograph for my brother and I as a member of the Expos. We were fans instantly. I caught because of you. Then when you came over in 1985, wow. You were my favorite player. You keyed the rally in Game 6 and the joy as you ran to Jesse Orosco was how every Mets fan felt. I hope and pray that you draw strength from these messages and recover and we get to see you again at a Mets game in the near future.
Chris Pierce
I hope and pray for your full recovery. Over so the years I’ve watched you play and cover games, all with wit, intelligence and class without peer. Heartfelt wishes all goes well for you and your family.
Dear Gary,
You are my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Lorrie
A few of us met you a couple of years ago and you were so kind. You were such a big part of the wonderful ’86 Mets,
All our love from my family to yours.
You are in our prayers.
Please get well soon.
Robin Holly
My thoughts and prayers are with you, Gary. Thank you for all of the great memories.
Dear Gary All your fans around New York, Montreal and the rest of the globe of all ethnic back grounds are pulling for you. Baseball like many sports brings people together. Your ability and more importantly your character as an individual made it easy for fans to like you from the very beginning. If your fans could pinch run for you or help in any way with your recovery; there would be lines into the many thousands who would gladly help. I read these posts here every day, and feel emotional seeing such admiration people have for you, and what you have done for New York and baseball. Hopefully these posts are read to you. You have met only a tiny amount of your many fans. I have many memories of your playing days. People forget that not only did you hit a game winning home run against Neil Allen on opening day 1985; but rather you were known for hitting many opening day home runs in your career. In 1984 as a member of the Expos you hit a grand slam home run I believe against Ron Darling. Not sure if it was opening day. All your fans and I am sure more importantly your family has faith in you, that you can over come this battle. It’s certainly different than facing Goose Gossage or Lee Smith, but we have faith in you. G-d bless you and your family, and get well soon.
My prayers are with you, Get Well Kid!!!!!!!
Gary, you have been one of my sons’ greatest sports heros. Peter who is 30 years old now always played catcher and in little league he got glasses just like yours. He is now a sports writer in the heart of Boston country….. but always a Mets fan.
About 20 years ago you were kind enough to sign an autograph for my son , with the words God Bless. I hope God blesses you with a full and speedy recovery! You are and always have been my favorite baseball player.
I was an 11 year old when you were a role model for me. You still are, kid! Stay a fighter.
You are a class act!!! I wish you and your family the very best while you go through this tough time!!!
Godspeed!! Get well!!!
25 yrs ago you were my son’s
first cabbage patch doll name. Now 25
Later your still my favorite. Wish
you well and a fast recovery. Praying
for you and your love ones