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 
May the spirit you brought to the game be with you and your family now, and always.
Get better Gary! Every Met fan is praying hard for your recovery! No Met fan will every forget your greatness as a champion and your charm as a player and all around great guy! You beat the Braves, you beat St. Louis, you beat the Red Sox…. time to beat this! We are cheering for you! Much love…
God Bless, Gary. My prayers are with you and your family. No one needs to tell YOU to not stop fighting, that’s for sure!! Give ’em hell!!!
Gary, God bless you and your family! I am praying for a speedy recovery! You are one of the truly good people in baseball.
Hang in there Gary! We are all rooting for you, just like we did before! A speedy recovery 🙂
I am a life long Mets fan. As a female, I always got funny looks when I started to talk baseball and my love for the orange and blue. I blame my dad.. he gave his 5 kids no choice but to love the Amazins. I lost my dad 6 years ago, he was only 51 but he left a legacy to always put your family first and to not give up on the Mets. He loved the Mets so much we made sure he had his jersey and hat with him when he ‘left’ us. Gary – you are the first player I liked and are a part of my earliest Mets memories. I pray you get through this and my best to your family.
Greatest Comeback ever…..go KID!
You are one of the good ones for sure. You were one of my favorites as a child; one of the best souvenirs I own is an autographed photo of you which was personalized to me while I was going through a difficult time health-wise as a child. My prayers are with you and your family. Pull through Kid.
Wishing you and your family all the best during this tough time. If your tenacity and fighting spirit are as present here as they were during your playing days, I have no doubt you will beat this. You are a hero to me and many other Montrealers, and you are one of the main reasons the baseball spirit will never die in Montreal. Thank you for all the memories, and God bless you and your family as you face this challenge. Phil Marambio
Thanks for the Great Baseball memories. Your smile and enthusiasm were a welcome sight when you came to NY. You are and always will be a Champion!!!!!! Get well Quiickly!
Best wishes, Gary, for a full and speedy recovery. Thanks for the memories!
God Bless
Wish you a speedy recovering Gary. God Bless.
Dear Gary and family,
My prayers are with you.
I was at the Polo ground with my mother in 1962. I slept outside in 1969. I cried in 1973. And I think it was all just a shadow for 1986. I lived ate, breathed and bled with the Mets, and I will never forget you Gary. You brought stability and leadership to the team and as evidenced in the 6th game of the world series you never gave up. Don’t give up now, with two strikes and two out fight like you have never fought before and come out victorious. All of our prayers and thoughts are with you.
Gary, i hope you get better soon! you were an amazing guy and player. youre in my prayers.
Gary,
I was at a game the championship year and I got there early and saw you warming up just past 1st base, I ean down to the front roa, called your name, you turned around and I pumped my fist (like you allways did) and you returned it to me, it is a moment I will never forget, God bless you and keep you in his Heart, Pull through Buddy (Fist Pump !!)
Tom
Hi Gary,I will never forget your first game as a MET. That game winning home run.I said welcome to NY Gary,after you hit it.God Bless you Gary Carter!! You are in my prayers!! Allan T.
May the Lord bless you and keep you in his loving hands…. Stay strong, keep the faith! Our prayers are with you and your family!….. All Met fans and the baseball community are sending you their love & prayers!!! “Let’s go Gary”, Let’s go Gary!!!!!
Gladys C NJ
Gary,
All the best to an outstanding persona and amazing player. You inspired me throughout my childhood as I watched you in awe every time you were at bat or behind the plate. I will never forget the time I met you at a signing. You were such a gentleman and made me realize that fame doesn’t always come with an attitude (unless on the field of course) I will never forget what you wrote to me in a copy of one of your books….I now return that phrase to you in your moment of weakness “To Gary,God Bless.” You will always be in our hearts.
Hey Kid,
I’m a 20 year old life long Mets fan, and even though i unfortunatly wasn’t around during the 86′ run, the legacy you left here in the greatest city in the would has left a profound impact of every single Mets fan and all New Yorkers of ALL ages. I’m honored to be a die hard fan of the team that you once played for. Stay strong and well wishes Gary. I believe I speak for everyone in Mets nation when I say we love you
God bless,
– Dan from Staten Island
Hi KId Gary
My Prayers are with you. I love the Mets and you. You are # 1.
Stay tough. Like the one of best players of the teams you do good.
Dont forget All the Mets are whith you. .
The big Kid, thats what i used to call you every time that you went up to bat. I have met you in person a few times, and its true what they say. You are a down to earth man, and a great person to talk to. Wish you all the best.
Miguel Nunez
Kid:
You’re one of Gods children. One of the greatest class acts in MLB history. The Andrew Family prays for you!
The Andrew Family NYC
Sty strong, and God bless
Gary-
I pray for you’re healing and wish you the speediest recovery.
Gary –
Get well soon brother, I am keeping you and your family in my prayers. You were the first sports player I have ever met, and it was while I was in grade school. We had taken a class trip to Shea Stadium for a Christmas Lunch with Santa Claus and you were there and I just remember you being such a fantastic human being, a class act. Since that day, number 8 has been my favorite baseball player of all time. I hope nothing but the best for you Gary. Take care, and get well soon.
God Bless You Gary
You’re a Legend in your own time !!
You didn’t give up in game 6… please don’t give up now. We love you Kid!!!
God Bless you kid as always we are rooting for you.
Hi Gary, You have always been my favorite Met Player. I met you once at a store where you were signing autographs. You took a picture with me and it was one of the most exciting moments of my life. I am praying for you and your family. I hope you know how much you are loved and adored by me and many other fans. I will keep praying for a full and speedy recovery. Love Barbara
I remember when the Mets got ya. I couldn’t believe it. You gave it your all and you were one of the best. Get Well Kid!!! BTW – Retire No. 8. who else deserves to wear that number….. NO ONE!!!!
I was at Opening Day in 1985 –Your First Game as a MET behind the Plate ..I’ll never forget that and the day I heard you were traded to the METS. I just could not wait to see you play for MY TEAM. We are all praying for you and your family. We know how devoted you are to God and your family. In my hallway is a Leukemia Poster you autographed for me …It was a great gift for a small donation. Number 8 you are are Numero Uno in our house. Always keep the faith …God Love you and Bless you always.
Cindy from Brooklyn, NY and Family
Gary ill be praying for you and your family, remember theres nothing imposible for God he is the true God of miracles
Best wishes to the epitome of class and professionalism, and enthusiasm 🙂
My thoughts and prayers are with you Gary Carter. In 1986 I was 20 years old and had loved the Mets since I was about 5…sincerely loved them. You were such a huge part of those ’86 Mets and the gift you gave me that season is one I will never forget. It was a dream come true for me. There has never been a more exciting championship to me since. I wish for you a full recovery. I will always keep you in my prayers, Keep the dream alive…
godbless you Kid…
The kid…what great memories were created as a Met. 86 seems like yesterday…rally boy…my prayers are with all of the Carter family
I had the chance to meet you at a book signing many years ago, and you truly are a great guy. That, plus all the great play…fond memories. I pray for you, Gary.
Rezo por ti, KID
I was there for your opening day as a Met. Hitting a home run told us all that you were going to give it your heart and soul. I know you are a main of faith so ‘keep the faith”. We are praying for you. Thanks for the memories “Kid”. I will never forget you being a man of the people. I was once at a movie theater when you were there with your wife in Long Island. You were so generous with your demeanor. Keep fighting!
Get well soon, Kid!
Gary
You are in our thoughts and prayers.You were a fighter as a player and I know you will continue to fight until you WIN this battle
Best wishes,
Mike Auerbach
Get well soon Gary. You have always been an inspiration to me. Your smile and love for the game makes me still love the game. Good Luck
The reason I am a Met fan still to this day is because of the magic you and that 86 team displayed before my 5 year old eyes. Thank you for being a part of that, Kid. My heart, thoughts, and prayers are with you.
Thank you Gary for the contributions you made to the team throughout the late eighties and, obviously, especially for carrying the team in the 1986 World Series. You are a champion and a fighter and you can beat this. Stay strong.
Gary, I hope you can turn this around like you did in ’86 with those 2 homers against the Red Sox. We are all praying for you!!
One of my best childhood memories is meeting you outside of Shea Stadium in the summer of 1986. I was 17 years old. My buddy and I had waited for the players to exit from their lot behind the outfield wall. Many just whisked away but you, Gary, stopped and chatted with us for a few minutes. I took out a dollar bill, which you signed. I still have that dollar today, framed on my wall. Thanks for the special memories and always know we LOVE YOU!
I hated Gary Carter when he was on Montreal. I hated that we traded Hubie Brooks but I loved him as a player & how he played once he put the Met’s uniform on his back. Trust your doctors & trust in God and know there are Met fans, baseball fans, praying for you today.
I am a life-long met fan who endured the terrible years of the late 70’s. I remember the day the Mets announced that they had acquired Gary Carter from Montreal. I thought, OMG, he’s the best catcher in the NL. Now we have what it takes to win. Finally, the Mets might win! Thanks Gary, best wishes.