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 
Dear Gary Carter,
Thank You for playing the game the way it should be played, you were a major piece to an amazin’ championship I will never forget. God Bless, best wishes, thoughts and prayers. The Rizzo Family
Dear Gary,
Having been a NY Mets fan forever, you were one of my favorite players. I am rooting for you during this difficult time. My sons and I had the opportunity to meet you when you were the manager for the Long Island Ducks. You are a class act! I am praying for you!
Gary,
I first met you at a game in ’85 sitting in the front row when you handed out a pillow of the Mets to me on opening day ( I was 9). I then saw you at the Nevele in the Catskills and you signed an artist’s caricature of me wearing number 8. My mom always had a thing for you. I always eyes your stance with the bat away and high, higher than Keith. Your jovial spirit and boyhood charm captivated millions. You can either fight or succumb to nature’s will. Either way, you will always hold a good place in my memories and the memories of those you have touched. We all go to the same place. Maybe there we can have a catch?
Gary,
I grew up a Mets fan with you as my favorite player. I still have my old #8 jersey with Carter across the back. Although I grew up in Alabama I always tried to get to a game to see you Atlanta. I remember going down to see you guys warm up in the bullpen and I was on cloud nine. I want to thank you for all of the memories you provided me that I still cherish to this day. More importantly I want to thank you for being such a wonderful example to young and old alike both on and off the field. I wish you the best as you face the tough challenge ahead. If there is anyone that can be victorious over this challenge I know it’s you. I just want you to know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
God bless,
N. Davis
Gary, I am such a huge fan of your’s and it really hurts me to see that you have to go throught this but i know that the fighter that you are you will come out of this and recover fully. My prayers are with you and i know you will get better and beat this sickness just like you have beaten every opponnent in your career.
Gary, my prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. God Bless!!
Rudy
I grew up loving the Mets. More importantly, I grew up loving baseball. At 34 years old, I can still remember being 7 years old, sitting on my fathers lap, watching our favorite team win the World Series. You are a big part of that memory, as well as your teammates. It’s funny that someone you’ve never met can touch a persons life like you have. I wish you all the best Gary. From my family to you and yours. Best wishes.
Dear Gary;
You will always be “the Kid”. How can we ever repay the debt of thanking you for your TEAM attitude which helped us get to the WS and win in 86? Words cant express our feelings for you in this time of need. May our thoughts and prayers comfort you and your family and know that you are constantly in our prayers. God bless and God Speed
Kid–You’re one of my favorite ballplayers of all time. Your courage and determination on the field are the same traits that will help you beat this newest challenge.
Love and respect,
Craig
Dear Gary you may not have gone into the hall of fame with us but we are all behind you. not just because you led us to a world campionship. but bacause you are a human being its a tragidy when anyone passes away. i have/will never meet you but may you live forever.we are all behind you.
Gary-
You were an important part of my childhood. Plastic Mets helmet turned backwards, everyone wanted to be Gary Carter. Face this challenge the way you faced a runner approaching the plate, stand your ground and secure your position. The impact may be tremendous, but with the Lord’s help, you will rise, dust yourself off and head into extra innings. I will forever remember your smile as you extended your arms to embrace Wally Backman, You are an inspiration to many.
Dear Gary, May God bless you and your family. You will always be one of my favorites, not only for your inspired play, but for your character. We need more athletes, and people, like you. Your friend, Mike Falco.
when i think of the game of baseball you can not help but think of gary cater you played with such guts and enthusiasm and hear. you were just every kids idol. when kids played ball they wanted to be you. you gave kids someone to really look up to. you gave kids a reason to want to play baseball. thank you for that and my prayers and wishes go out ot you and your family.
Prayers and hope be with you and your family. You were one of my baseball idols growing up and a level-headed fixture in the Mets organization for many years. When I think of the ’86 Mets and the magic they had, I think of you.
Dear Gary,
You were at the center of my favorite childhood baseball memories: from Opening Day of 1985, to September 1986 (in the one game I succeeded to drag my parents to, you homered twice and hit the game winner to cap a comeback against San Diego), to the greatest one-out-from-elimination rally in World Series history.
Thank you for the incredible memories, the curtain calls, and for playing the game with such enthusiasm and passion.
Thinking about you and rooting for you!
-Michael
Dear Gary,
Thank you for being a great role model and inspiration to so many people. I started watching baseball in the 80’s and became a big Mets fan and you were always my favorite player. I was really excited when I got your autograph a few years ago at a Mets spring training game. I was so sad to hear the news that you have cancer, but we know that God is able to heal you. I think of you often and pray for you and your family. May God bless you.
Dear Gary,
Please take very special care with your diet, I suggest the book “The China Study”, it helped my mom alot with her cancer and diet is extremely important to fight cancer. As a life long fan I still remember your first day as a Met, opening day, a day game and you homered to win it and ever since you have represented the Mets and yourself with dignity and class. Take a quick read of “the bad guys won” if you want to cheer up, let me know if you need anything.
Eric Levine
Gary, my Dad and I wish you all the best of luck and good health during this difficult time. We are huge fans of yours and the Mets organization. Hopefully, you’ll be healthy again soon and maybe a coaching job with the team will open up for you.
We are rooting for you, Gary!
#8 Forever – New York Mets!
Gary, You gave my brother and I many wonderful moments over the years. I rememnber your game winning home run on opening day decades ago. Our best wishes are with you and your family. Get well!
Charlie and Wally Dorsch
Gary,
You were always the “Kid” in my mind and you will be forever.
Please fight this illness and show everybody that positive energy and passion can persevere…
You gotta believe!
Get well soon.
Best regards,
Matt
AMEN!!!!!
who cares about a world championship when gary carter is on the line
Gary, if there were ever a time for a new Met miracle, it is now. Wishing you all the best in your treatment and recovery. Fight the fight. Stay strong. Joe-NJ
Gary, you’ve always been a leader, both on the field and off, and even in this difficult time you are courageous and a shining example of a man. Hold on to your faith.
Mike
You were one of my greatest heros back in 86 as a kid. I pray for God’s healing on you.
Gary
Your smile is very contagious to me and a lot of Met fans. I wish you good health and a recovery soon. I am your number one fan and always will be. You are my favorite player of all time.
Dave
Gary: I worshipped you as a 10 year old rooting for the mets. You have always been my favorite player and I still wear a mets shirt with your name and number on it everytime i go to a game. wishing you lots of health & happiness!!!
May God watch over you and make you well quickly!
May St. Jude patron Saint of hopeless cases intercede to help you to
recover.
May God watch over you and make you well quickly.
May St. Jude patron Saint of hopeless cases intercede for you to recover.
As I have cancer in my family, I can sympathize with your plight. You and your family are in my prayers. Here’s thinking about you, Kid!
Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Wishes for a speedy recovery. Jim
As a Yankee fan and a New Yorker I still follow the METS and your career you are one class act on and off the field I will never forget that championship 25 years ago our players are with you
You were alway my favorite Met. I will never forget the happiness you gave us fans in 86. I hope you recover. I loved you beautiful smile. All the best.
Rose
Gary…Been thinking of you since my dad told me of your situation, a couple months ago. All the best to YOU, your family and the medical pros who are working with you! Thanks, through the years, for all the great moments…the plays at the plate, the clutch hits, the curtain calls and, most certainly, 1986! My son is 14 and also a Mets fan. I’ve told him all about you and the teams from the 80s that were so great. We love you out here (in Bloomsburg, PA!), and we’ll always be rooting for #8!
~John & Jack Theillon
Hey Kid; I was at Cooperstown the Day you were installed and it gave me goosebumps when the cheering started Gar-ey gar-ey Gar-ey I wish you well with all my Heart Thank You! A Met Fan since 1962 (Sodapops) George
I was a young Mets fan in the ’80’s, and a young catcher. I wanted to play just like you, Gary. I emulated your style, and more importantly your toughness and your leadership. Those lessons remain. Thanks, and get well.
God speed for your recovery – so many well wishes coming your way. You were always one of my favorites and such an inspiration for all young catchers coming up the ranks of baseball. You can beat this. Our prayers are with you.
The Kelly’s
GARY CARTER’S MEMORY AS A MET WILL LINGER ON FOREVER
GARY CARTER’S MEMORY WILL LINGER FOREVER.
THANKS,
OSWALD ALLISON
I remember listening to the Kid do Marlins games a few years back. He was great. He would always think positive even when the fish were getting spanked. You need to get better, just like the Marlins did back then. We are pulling for you down here is south Florida.
Gary, I watched you growing up and I have always been and always will be a Met fan. I watched the ’86 victory and beyond, and every time I see you it makes me smile. Fight hard and get well soon, you have a native New Yorker now living in Michigan pulling for you!!!!!!
Best wishes to you and your family!
GARY, YOU WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED AS ONE OF THE GREATEST LEADERS OF THE METS. YOU ARE IN ALL OF OUR PRAYERS, PLEASE GET WELL SOON, WE LOVE YOU!! METS FAN FOREVER!!
Gary treat your health with the same competitive nature that you carried with you against your opposition on the field. Defeat your enemy if possible, if not don’t go out without a competitive fight. I really appreciated the guts and the grit you brought to the game of Baseball and I wouldn’t be surprised if you chalked up another victory with your health. Good Luck Gary.
Get well soon! Praying for you!
Gary, I remember your first game with the Mets. I was listening on the radio talking to a fellow Mets fan on the phone, and you hit one out of the park!
Hang in there. Beaming good vibes your way.
Mr. Carter,
you started the rebirth of the Mets in the late 80’s and led us to the promised land and for that we will forever be grateful. You played with character, dignity and strength and was a role model for all. I know you will fight the good fight because you don’t know any other way to do things. Our prayers and thoughts are with you as you make your way through this current challenge in your life. May god bless you and your family during this ordeal.
Best of luck!!!
Nick Grandinetti
Pittsburgh, Pa.
The “heart and soul” of the Team that gave us a Championship..Is the Same in the Man that you are now..As I watched that 6th Game in 86.. You became that larger than Life Hero, That refused to go down Swinging…How about 1 More At-Bat Kid? My Prayers are are with you….
When I was a kid I copied your swing and your attitude. I even pulled my sleeves up by the shoulders (and still do in softball). I always wanted your number (8) when I played. I learned to play catcher and loved it! However I am rooting for you now more than ever (if that is possible!)
Gary(The KID) you never gave up when playing ball and your not going to now. Game 6 2 outs 1986 WS and you rounded first base. I remember from your book you wrote that you said to 1st base coach Bill Robinson I wasn’t making the F*** out of the WS. That’s the fire and heart you always had and still do. Were all behind you and you will over come this fight. Good luck and we will pray for you.
Scott L Mets fan since 1973
Best wishes for your health, comfort, and happiness. You were an inspiration to the Mets and to us fans when you arrived here, and if you can get a little inspiration for the love and respect we have for you, then all the better. It’s a tough break, but I know you’ll play the hand you’re dealt with the strength and courage that you’ve always had.
Hey Kid (Gary Carter)
You was always a fighter with our beloved mets especially in WS 86. So I know you will fight the good fight. God speed in your recovery and prayers always.
See you soon at Citifield.
Fan J.Rivera
Dear Gary, your hard work and awesome inspiration that you gave your team and that big smile made me become 1 of your biggest fans. Now that inspiration that you gave everyone else, you need to give to yourself!! i know you have the heart and passion and strength to win this battle. You can do it Gary, you have all of your friends, family and fans behind you. We pray for you to win this battle, I know you can do this!!! Hit that Home run Gary!! Best wishes and my thoughts and prayers are with you!!! Your #1 fan Ralph !!!