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 
I wish you a speedy and complete recovery, of body and your indomitable spirit. We’re all praying for you, Gary.
Gary,
Meeting you back in 2002 remains one of the highlights of my life. You were so friendly, so down to earth. You recognized my picture from the letter my mother had sent you a few months prior, and you moved the meet and greet table out of the way just so you could come around and give me a hug.
I can’t tell you how much I appreciated that, or how much we as Mets fans appreciate the years you spent with this organization. You are one of the most talented, dedicated players in the history of major league baseball. I have no doubt that the same fight you put into each and every game, you’re also putting into this new battle you’re facing. And just as you were a champion with the Mets, I truly believe you will come out on top against cancer as well.
All our prayers are with you, Gary. Stay tough, and be well.
Christine (Yzaguirre) Aromando
Fight on Kid! What a team ’86 was, and you were the glue. It will always be a year I won’t forget…the Mets,Giants (and I even got married!) My wife just battled breast cancer. You’ll beat this, just like she will. Stay strong!
Stay strong and get well soon Gary. When I was last at Citi Field everyone in the uper-deck with me was chanting GARY CARTER!!!!
Gary, I do hope you get well. You did a lot for the Mets and you deserve a lot of support from Met fans now. We all support you and hope for the best for you. Take care.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family through this difficult time. Keep the faith & be strong.
My son wore a No. 8 Gary Carter Mets shirt at his first birthday party in August 1986. We are all rooting for you, Kid!
It was barely yesterday when I heard Warner Wolf announce that Gary Carter was coming to the
Mets. I could hardly believe that a blue chip player of such caliber was joining the team.
Now I knew the Mets were for real, a championship was possible, and you made it happen.
Thanks for all you contributed and for being a great part of Met history.
Continue your great spirit and keep on fighting.
Bob Fishman
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Hang tough and fight this, kid
get well soon buddy
I played ball against you in American leagion. In Fullerton CA. I played for Placentia. i wish you well and i will pray for you.
get well gary
Still rooting for you, Gary.
Kid
Best wishes to you and your family – you are a kind man who always had time for the fans and we never forget that. We will see you soon back out at the ballpark.
Gary, two outs in the 9th and you didn’t make that last out in Game Six (it’s legendary enough to deserve capitals and there’s only **one** Game Six) and you won’t make that last out now either. We’re all with you just like we were in ’86.
Gary you are the greatest. You were the last puzzle piece needed to create a championship team and you delivered. You are in our prayers, stay positive and focussed and you will beat this.
Dear Gary,
From that first day that you hit the game winning homer against the St. Louis Cardinals on opening day in 1985 you have endeared yourself to New York. You were up to the challenge then, and I believe that you are up to the challenge now.
Our prayers are with you and your family.
Keep fighting Gary and you will beat this.
Sincerely,
Brando
You are one of the greatest baseball players of all time! You are in
our hearts! You and your family are in our prayers! You will win!
You can beat this! Mind over matter! Will yourself to a full and speedy recovery. Let’s go Mets!
As a life long Yankee fan I remember all too well when the Mets traded for you and the genuine envy I experienced. Your entusiasm and enjoyment of the great game of baseball was always so evident and I wanted you to play for my team. Just the same I couldn’t help but cheer you on not only during your time in New York but in the years since. And that’s never been truer than today.
I sincerely hope you’re one of those inspirational stories of hope and faith where the threat of illness is beaten down with a positive attitude and a committed belief that we only lose when we give up. If anyone can successfully heal themselves with the power of positive thinking it would be you.
Good luck Kid, you’ll remain in the thoughts and prayers of this baseball fan.
Get well Gary! We’re all rooting for you man.
My family are all huge Mets fans and you are one of our favorites. I know that if you bring the same grit, determination and class to fighting this cancer that you will have the same success that you had on the ballfield. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Meryl Fink
You are in our thoughts, hearts and prayers
Twink and Jim
Good luck Gary!
Gary,
Believing that LORD who is the Healer of all our diseases will make you whole for His glory!
Psalm 103:3
An old Montreal Expo’s fan here, wishing you all the strength and determination. Wishing you the speediest of recoveries.
Wishing you a healthy recovery! Met fans are all right behind you on this one, Gary. Stay strong and God bless.
Gary,
I just graduated highschool and have been fighting cancer for the past 5 and a half years. I am a huge mets fan. I know you will get throught this. Best wishes. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
The greatest of all time for the Mets, there I said it!
Get well Gary!
Gary, we loved your fire and desire when you were a Met. Hang in there. There are new drugs coming every day and hopefully one will work for you. Best wishes.
Gary – You were always an inspiration to me on and off the baseball field.
Get well soon.
Dear Gary,
I know many people that have been through this long fight and have made it. I am wishing you the best of luck and success in beating this. Our thought and prayers are with you and battle this like you battled the field. I am a big fan and always have been.
Thoughts and prayers for you and family
If anyone can beat this you can Gary, lots of love and prayers
I grew up watching the new york mets since i was born. I can remember laying with my pop watching great baseball. You were and still are my favorite baseball player of all time. My wife asked me who is my favorite baseball player right now, and i don’t have no clue because no one plays the game like you did. Offense, defense, and hustle were your strengths. You called a great game and all of the young great pitchers where better with you behind the plate. You are a great role model and i will say a prayer for you and your family. Show that same fighting spirit you did while playing the game and i am sure you will come out on the positive end.
GARY CARTER MY SON IS JAKE 5 YEARS I ALWAYS TOLD HIM ABOUT YOUR FIRE AND COMPETIVENESS . I TOLD HIM YOU WERE SICK . HE SENT THIS MESSAGE GET WELL SOON .HE WANTS TO WEAR # EIGHT HE ALSO KNOWS THAT YOU STARTED THE RALLY IN GAME 6 YOU HAVE BECOME IS FAVORITE BALL PLAYER . HE ALWAYS LOOKS PICTURE AND WATCHS GAME 6 OF WORLD SIERES I THOUGHS AND PRAYERS ARE SEND TO YOU TO BEAT THIS CANCER JAKE AND PETE
A huge fan of yours Gary and have loved you for a long time. My thoughts and prayers are with you. You are a fighter and you will fight through this.
When my oldest son (who’s now 25) was a baby, the first baseball oufit he ever wore was a #8 Met uniform. You epitomized class and the way the game was meant to be played. You are in my family’s thoughts and we wish you a full recovery. Keep Fighting!
Praying 2 Corinthians 1:3&4 for you Gary.
What a hero you are to so many people. Stay strong! We love you, and wish the best! Keep on fighting!
Dear Gary,
I’ve grown up a Red Sox fan my whole life but when I moved from New England to NJ, we adopted the Mets as our second team. I always root for the Mets and their awesome fans. I always admired the way you played the game. You were THE GARY!! I even had the same #8 as you in high school softball. I was lucky to see you last summer at the Mets Hall of Fame induction, such a surprise that you were there! I heard about your condition as I was driving home from Boston to NJ last month and was shocked. I will pray for you and hope that your condition continues to improve. Best wishes and stay strong #8! You’re the man!!!
My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. I vividly remember the day that you were traded to the Mets. God be with you.
Dear Gary, You created many memories for me. I loved watching you play on that great Mets team. I was so sorry to hear that you are ill. Please try to stay positive and get well. My thoughts are with you and your family at this time.
Sincerely, Linda Johnson
Stay strong and positive. Everyone is pulling for you and thinking of you.
It was an honor to meet you with my sister, your biggest fan by far. Stay strong, and get well soon. She would like to see you again 🙂
We were rooting for you then, and we’re rooting for you now. I wish you could hear the way fans cheer at Citifield every time they play the film of your greatest moments as a Met! I wish you speedy recovery, from me and my whole family.
Dear Gary, My Love and Prayers are with you and your family during this very trying time. You are one of my all time favorite Mets and ballplayers. I always thought your were a great ball player and I remember how excited I was when I found out that Gary Carter was a New York Met. You always played the game with great Intensity and you could tell how much you loved the game. I go to a lot of Met games and the number of Gary Carter shirts that are being worn is amazing. We all Love you and are praying that you will come out Victorious in this fight. If anyone can beat this the Kid can!!!!! Thanks for all the great memories WE LOVE YOU GARY. Get well soon and may God be with you!
I have been a fan of yours since u played in Montreal.I pray that God will bless u with strength and guidance during this tough battle.Stay strong and blessed my friend.I thank u for playing with the Mets and help bringing a championship to them.That was a great year in my childhood that I will never forget.God bless u Gary.
As a huge fan of yours when I was growing up, I was shocked and saddened by the news. I hope you keep battling like you did behind the plate and at bat as you did so many times for the Mets and the legions of fans! Keep your spirits up and get well soon …
Best Wishes!
Our family is pulling for you Gary.My Wife is a 2 time Cancer Survivor. We met long time ago on a basketball team in Fullerton ,CA Your friends Darrel , Bob and i knew you would be special when you got to the Major League. My dad took me to see American Legion BB at La Palma Park, saw your Brother Gordon play many times . Take care Gary.
Wishing you a speedy recovery while you go through this tough time. Stay strong in this fight and get better soon!