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 
Listen Kid. You fight. Ok. You fight. Just like your 86 team fought adversity and came out winners. Fight. Don’t you give up. Your fans will always be on the on deck circle waiting for you to come thru. Now is no different. You inspired us on the field and you will inspire us off the field. Fight.
Get better Kid. I will never forget your first throw down to 2nd base in your very first game at Shea. Us Met Fans all know you can beat this.
Get well Gary!
Gary
Best Wishes – hopefully you will consider looking up Dr. Bruzinski in Texas; if you don’t know who that is get a hold of Suzanne Somers book “Knockout” Ch. 7. Also please look up a company called Youngevity for the finest antioxidants & supplements to support your health. My assoc number is 10000454
God Bless you, Gary! If good wishes were enough to pull you through NY Mets fans have got you covered!
My prayers are with you and your family. You can beat this. You beat Boston in 1986, you can beat this. Don’t give up. We won’t.
Gary:
Best wishes for a full recovery. All Mets’ fans thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Dear Gary,
We are pulling for you. I know you can beat this. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Gary, You were always fun to watch and never gave in…our thoughts and prayers are with you as you battle the biggest fight of your life
get well gary! we love you and hope you feel better. we know your still the kid and can overcome any challenge just like you did in game 6
Praying for you and your family……………….. thanks for all the memories. Fight the fight “You Gotta Believe” and we all do.
Gary,
Fullerton has loved you from Sunny Hills through the OC Flyers. We’re praying for you!
Although I was just a young kid in the 1980’s, you are one of the players I remember during that magical time. I also was there at the Mets Hall of Fame Induction in 2010 when you were there to welcome in the class of 2010. Watching the Mets rally at the bottom of the 9th against the Yankees when all hope seemed lost and then watching Tom Seaver, Mike Piazza, and Kevin James on the big screen (did you ever record one of those messages?) telling us to cheer reminded me of your big World Series Game 6 rally when all hope seemed lost. I wish you good health and my thoughts are with you and your family during this time.
Dear Kid, I watched you when you played for the Expos, and cheered when you signed for the Mets.You gave me alot of great memories and I have been a met fan since my dad took me to my first Met game in 1964.(boy I wish I still had that memorablea) Duke is one of the best univercitys in the world. Your in good hands. May GOD bless you and your family. Yours truly Bobby P.
Dear Gary,
Big Mets fan, praying and wishing you the best. Stay strong and have faith and trust in God. You, your family and friends will be in my prayers.
Dear Gary,
You were a terrific player, and your fans will always remember your invaluable contributions to the 1986 World Champion Mets team. Wish you all the best, and know that you and your family are in prayers. May God bless you!
Gary, You’ve always been a champion, and the Mets could never be counted out when you were around. From your first opening day at Shea, to the unforgettable GAME 6, it was you, you and you who represented the heart and soul of the team. Although this is a tough challenge for you, we know you will pull through. I really hope you can take comfort in the fact that Mets fans in particular, and baseball fans in general are solidly in your corner. We fully expect to see you walk onto Citi Field a healthy and vital man real soon!!
Dear Gary,
You helped provide me with my best sports memories ever. I was a surgeon in training during the wonderful Met yrs of the 1980s. It gives me joy to think about those years whenever things are bad. My kids who were not born yet are Met fans and think fondly of you and those years as well. We all wish you the best of luck in your fight.
Thanks for giving not only the Mets your Love of the game but New Yorkers. It is our turn to give back to you and your family. Take one moment at a time. Mets fans are with you.
God Bless. Stay strong. You Gotta Believe! You were a hero and will continue to be when you prove to the world that this obstacle will be overcome. You are a true Hall of Famer and an inspiration to all.
In our thoughts and prayers, today and every day. You always gave your all for the fans, and now we are sending that energy back to you, times hundreds of thousands.
Gary,
Of all of the people in the world for this to happen to, I suppose it’s both a blessing and a curse that it’s happening to you. A curse, of course, because it always seems like the good ones get the short end of the stick and it’s heartbreaking to think about what you’re going through, but a blessing because you are a man of faith and a true fighter. All of us Mets fans saw that fight on the field for years, and we know you have the fight in your heart as well. Praying for you, Kid, and looking forward to hearing that you have beaten this awful disease.
Gary: Our prayers are with you and your family. I loved watching you play ball for Montreal and New York. Take care.–Joe, your former next door neighbor, and Deb
Dear Gary,
Thanks for giving not only the Mets your Love of the game but New Yorkers. It is our turn to give back to you and your family. Take one moment at a time. Mets fans are with you.
I will be prayong for you. Charlie Antoldi(Bremerton WA)
you did it in 86, you can do it now! god bless you:)
Gary,
We are pulling for you and praying for you and your family every day!
Bill
Hey Mr. Carter,
Thinking and praying for you and your family. Times will be hard but you are Gary Carter! I was in the 4th grade when I meet you, the Mets were playing in San Diego and my family was there on vacation. My younger brother and I both got your autograph. I was already a Mets fan then, but you truly sealed the deal! And I have been a die hard fan ever since! Fight hard. There are millions of people thinking of you and your family right now.
Sincerely,
I’m an Expos fan who grew up in the ’70s and early ’80s idolizing the Kid. My earliest memories of baseball as a young fan in Montreal, were the matinee-idol good looks and irresistible smile of Gary Carter, and his crazy curly locks flowing out of his helmet behind the plate. I remember the child-like enthusiasm with which he played this great game of baseball. I remember him throwing baserunners out better than anybody in the business. I remember his towering homers, one particular one at the Big O which hit the left field foul pole on the good side. I remember dramatic plays at the plate, usually on rocket throws from Andre Dawson, ably handled by the Kid for the crucial out. I remember pretending to be Gary Carter when my brothers and cousin and I played baseball in the narrow driveway between our house and the neighbour’s in Park Extension.
I still miss the Expos. I won’t be missing Gary any time soon, though, cause he’s gonna survive this illness. I have a Carter jersey my girlfriend just bought for me from the 1982 All-Star game in Montreal, and I plan to get Gary’s autograph on the 50th anniversary of that game. God Bless, Gary. We’re all praying and pulling for you!
Gary,
I sincerely hope you can beat this challenge. If anyone can, it is you.
I was a long term fan of yours long before you came to the Mets. When you came to the Mets I KNEW that great years were ahead. You played the game right with awesome enthusiasm & talent. Dig in and do your best to come on top of this great challenge. Hugs, JimNastics
Kid,
Without a doubt, you were always my favorite Met in spite of my girlfriend having a mad crush on you. Your experience, All Star skills, and stature was the glue that kept the “86 team on track for a championship; you helped make Doc the pitcher he became. You and Straw provided the pop the lineup always needed. You and I know that without you, there would be no championship ’86 Mets. Your number 8 should be retired as one of the Met greats. Thank you Gary for making NY baseball magic again for a Mets fan during those years. My healing energy and prayers go out to you and your family.
Kid – Beat this thing! All of Mets Nation is praying for you.
Dear Gary,
My family always enjoyed watching you play. Our prayers are with you.
Dear Gary,
Thank you for all the wonderful gifts you gave us fans. The Lord too gave us a gift, its called eternal life, if you confess with your tongue that Jesus is Lord you shall be saved. Physical death is inevitable, But throught salavation we continue to live in heaven. I pray for you and your family, I hope you confess your sins and ask Jesus for forgiveness. Jesus saId ” I am the way,the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father but throught me” This my hope for you Gary and to all who read this. God Bless You, In Christ Claudio
Is that all you can say to a guy that is trying to get through this.. Why don’t you confess your own sins before you tell other people what to do.
Gary… Praying for you during these trying times and wishing you the very best. You were always the consummate fighter and one of the greatest to ever put on Mets shirt. You will come through this. God bless.
Dear Gary,
Your style of play on and off the field is fondly remembered by all Met fans. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. The crowd still chants – “Gary…Gary” – Regards and Best Wishes always.
Dear Gary,
You were one of the finest men to ever play the game. Our prayers go out to you and your family now and wish you a speedy recovery. You made being a Met fan something special. Good luck and best wishes.
John
HEY GARY,
ALWAYS MY FAVORITE MET!
OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
KEN CAYEA
Dear Gary,
You are such an inspiration to me and my family. When things don’t go your way many players would stomp or throw helmets (or bats, see Clemens). But you just gave us the “Famous Carter Grimace” and we knew you were saying ” We’ll get ’em next time “. This is the biggest next time you will ever face. KICK THE CRAP OUT OF IT. Thank You for helping me be a better man. Kurt Michael Malinsky
Dear Gary,
You have touched millions directly and indirectly through your career. Now it’s time for the millions to reciprocate and touch you through prayer. Besides being one of my favorite players of all time you are also one of my favorite human beings in how you carried yourself as a class act. I remember when i worked for FedEx back in 86 I sent you a Courier Pak with a ball and pen and asked if you would mind autographing it and returning it back to me in the enclosed Pak. You did and I still have that ball in my personal case. Thank you, Gary for being the man you are. God bless you and I pray you will overcome this as God will use you to continue to inspire millions more.
Sincerely,
Joe N.
Dear Gary,
You have always been such a class act, you have a lot of people that you’ve made smile over the years praying for you. God Bless!
Gary – you were the heart and soul of a team that never quit. Keep that same faith, our prayers are with you and your family…Number 8 on the team, Number 1 in our hearts…
Gary you did not give up in game 6, don’t give up now!
Dear Kid,
Thank you for all of those special memories during your playing career. You are a leader and we expect you to continue fighting through your new challenges. The Mets should retire Number 8.
Good luck!
Dear Gary,
I had the pleasure of meeting you in 1989 in Bloomingdales in Manhattan during an autograph session. I got a picture of the two of us with your autograph on the frame. This is one of my most prized possessions and sits on my mantle at home. I saw you play many times with the Mets as I had a partial season ticket plan for Saturdays starting in 1986. I saw a number of home runs that you hit over the years a great thrill for me! Thank you for keeping the 10th inning alive in game 6 in 1986. That may have been the biggest moment of your career in a career of many big moments!! I offer you my prayers and those of my wife, in a very tough battle for you! If you can get that bas hit off Cal Schraldi to save the season you will hang tough with the Big C! Both my parents are Cancer survivors so I have an idea of what your family is going through. I know you are a man of deep Faith and you will overcome! My best thoughts to your wife, son and 2 daughters. May God watch over all of you!
Sincerely,
Mike Healy
Dear Gary: From a Phiilies fan who admired you but rooted against you when you played, now I’m rooting and praying for you.
You are such a good man. You are, I know, a devoted and sincere Christian and as such, I know that you believe in the God of us all who will place you in His arms and carry you forward. With all my heart and prayers, I want you to return to good health and be with your loving family. Keep the faith, Kid, your fans have not forgotten you!
Come on Kid, we are all pulling for you. You never quit on the field and you won’t stop until you win this one. Best wishes hall of famer.
My dad, my brother, and I met you in the Hilton in 1996 in Long Branch, NJ. We stopped you and introduced ourselves. You, the gentleman you are stopped shook our hands and conversed with us. After speaking for a good ten minutes, I asked if I could try on your World Series ring, you belted out, “Of Course!” I only wish you well and a speedy recovery! We need your help getting the Mets back on track!
Dear Gary,
You provided alot of fond memories for me at the ballpark. Now you must know that all your fans are praying and thinking of you and your family..
Dear Gary:
You provided the spark when we all thought it was over in 86 and proved that the fight is never over. I’m sure you will apply the same intensity and effort to your recooperation. Good luck and best wishes