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 thank you for all the memorys of your time in a mets uniform you played with heart and guts and this fight you now face i know you will bring the same heart and guts to winning this battle may god bless you and your family ………
Gary, you were my hero growing up in Saskatchewan. I was a huge Expos fan and an even bigger fan of you. I actually wore a Mets cap for a few years after you went to NY which was hard to do, but i had to follow you. I would wake up every morning with the ‘Feeling 7up’ poster of you beside my bed hoping that one day i could play for the Expos as a catcher. When i heard of your battle memories flew back of watching you on the box and wearing number 8 on my back all through my youth baseball years. I wish you all the luck and we are all thinking positively for your recovery. Thank you for all the great years behind home plate.
T. L.
When I heard of your ordeal a month or two ago, I was “shattered”. To me (a 51 year old baseball “lifer”) you are the epitamy of a person, professional and spiritual. Your love for your family always shined through, which is rare in MLB (or sports in general). I can’t even tell you how HONORED I was to be able to watch you play (first with the Expos and then that magical night when I head “my favorite MLB athlete” was traded to MY team)! I pray for you every night.
You are TRUE CLASS through and through.
God Bless and fight the good fight always,
Mike
Dear Gary:
My heart broke when I heard of your condition. I had bad news all that week and you were the last I heard about. My heart, thoughts, prayers, etc. are with you. I loved you when you were with the Expos, REALLY loved you when you were with my Mets, and I contiued to love you as a Duck. You are my all time favorite ball player. Thank you for signing my copy of your book all those years ago. Be well and live long.
One of my favorite Mets of all time and a key reason the Mets won in 86. Gary got one of those two-out hits in game 6 and really loves playing baseball.
Good luck to you in this challenge Gary. Praying that the cancer goes dormant for at least 50 more years Gary.
God Bless,
Frank
Hey Kid… God will be with you thru this ordeal……..I too am fighting an agressive prostate cancer .for the second time in 12 years. As I said God is with us.
Bob Behr,Palm Coast,Florida
you were my hero as a young adult and you are still my hero.. Kick cancer’s ass, Kid.. our prayers and good thoughts are with you and your family during this current battle…feel better.
God bless you Gary, your play inspired us, and your courage continues to inspire.
Gary,
I was at your first game as a Met and as expected you came through just like I know you will with this. You always gave people reasons to smile and feel good and I know you will continue to do so. My prayers are with you and your family.
God Bless!!
Nick Alvarez
Green Cove Springs, Fla.
Just wanted to leave my name for my earlier comment. – Larry Hirsch
Gary – Continue fighting the odds. Your strength and positive spirit will carry you to victory just like you did the Mets in ’86. You made my year then and gave me a lifelong memory to treasure.
Gary, you were my favorite as a kid and you’ll always be my favorite. get well and god bless.
Joe
You fought the odds in ’86 and won. You can do it again. Here’s lookin’ at you, Kid.
Robyn Cutler
The Bronx
You played hard…you won. You kept the faith in ’86, keep the faith now. Here’s looking at you, Kid.
Robyn Cutler
Gary,
I started watching baseball as a 9-year old with the Brooklyn Dodgers ar Ebbets Field and among the memories as 56 years as a fan, you are the focus of my favorite moment: your walkoff homer in the Opening Day game against the Cards in 1985. 1985 was my favorite season. You were the final piece of the puzzle, and the Mets were now ready to knock the Cards off the top shelf in the NL East. Although it wouldn’t happen in 1985, that season did establish an inevitability culminating in the 1986 championship season. You’re a life force, Gary, and that moment for me, and I think a multitude of Mets’ fans represents the turning point of the ’80s Mets and the title to follow. Your lessons of will, confidence and faith making all things possible have made an impression upon generations of Mets’ fans. All our wishes and prayers are with you and your family in this current battle. We have confidence and faith that you will prevail.
George Shanahan
hello gary,good luck from your all-time no 1 fan in montreal
Mr. Carter,
I grew up watching you play and you soon became my favorite baseball player w/your toughness and never say die attitude. I know this same attitude will propel you in defeating the cancer and getting you to the road of recovery. God bless you & your family! Sending positive thoughts & energy your way!!
Dear Mr. Carter,
Sometimes, life throws us a curve when we were looking fastball all the way. I think that what separates people. They either can foul off the curve, and stay alive, at least for the time being, or they leave their bat on their shoulder and give up(hopefully not too many are thinking of ’06). You, Mr. Carter, would never strike out looking(ok, it may have happened, but you get the drift), and I know you modeled your baseball career after your undying enthusiasm and passion for life in general. It is hard to care that deeply and intensely, but you showed that when you do, the reward is soooo much sweeter than the risk. This applies to life, not just baseball. That is what you’ve done for this 31 year old. A little girl when you came to the Mets. Showed me that if you care, care with every ounce of your being, for you will never know great happiness without great risk taken.
As you are taking a great risk now, I know with certainty that no matter the outcome, this world is better having known you. I hope you find strength and serinity in this.
I hope for world peace.
I hope for happiness for people who can’t find it.
I hope that you are doing well…
I hope.
Stick it to cancer, Gary. Go get ’em Kid!
You’re the man, Gary! I was six years old when you guys won it all in 1986 and remember watching how hard you played. I know you’ll get well.
Best wishes,
Andrew
Hello Gary I’d like to wish you the very best of luck with your struggle. You are a classy guy who always has a smile on your face. All the best, Mike.
Gary,
You were always my favorite, the greatest on the field, but, really, my favorite because of who you are off the field.
Thanking you, and thinking of you,
Brian
Dear Gary,
Keep fighting! We are with you all the way! You are a hero and an inspiration-all the best! Thanks for all the great baseball memories you have left us.
Dear Gary,
I met you when you were traveling Thur LGA Airport. You treated me like a regular guy. Thank you for the signing my book. You’ll always be in my heart and i’ll will pray for you always. I know you’ll beat this because your a strong person with great family values….God Bless you always…….Frank
Dear Gary,
You are one of the most classy great baseball players ever!
You are someone who truly “gets it” realizing what a gift you have been given.
You entertained me and my family for years when we watched the mets and I thank you for that!
More importantly, I thank you for being a real great person of god!
Nothing but the best wishes for you in your recovery from this illness!’
Regards,
Bruce
Gary,
You were a great ball player that played with much passion. Stay strong. You will beat this. You and your family are in my thoughts.
Regards,
Eric Horner.
Hi Gary,
You brought joy and excitement to a New York Mets team that need th e “final piece to the puzzle” and that was you! Game 6 of the ’86 World Series is a perfect example of how you can battle and come out victorious. My family and I pray that once again you will come out victorious on this unfortunate illness. We pray that you will pull through this, and maybe one day see you as the Manager of the Mets or any team you desire, and reach the pinnacle once again, as a World Series winning manager. Kid, our hearts are with you!
The Hart family.
To the “Kid”:
What a thrill to watch you play the game the way it was meant to be played. What an even bigger thrill to meet you at a signing a few years back in Massapequa, NY.
Stay strong, and your faith and family will see you through this.
Best wishes!!
Tom Fasano
To the greatest cutrain caller of all time. Love the double fist pump. Get well Gary!
Gary:
I hope you feel better and I hope you come back to Citi Field for the 1986 New York Mets reunion. I am pulling for you and so are other Mets fans. You were one of my favorite Mets of all time and of the 1986 team that won it all that year.
Gary…. You were my first Baseball hero… I wish nothing but the best of luck and a speedy recovery to you!!
-The Deiana Family.
Dear Gary,
Anybody who loves the game of baseball loved the way you played the game. You were a role model to so many. Today your courage and grace are an inspiration to us all. We’re all pulling for you!
God Bless,
Wayne Olsen
Gary,
I pray for you and your recovery every morning and every night.
Hi Gary.Just a note to wish you well and let you know you are in my family’s prayers.I played against you in high school and remember thinking” this guy is really something special”.I was two years ahead of you while playing for TroyHigh School and was not too bad myself,having been drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the June 1970 draft.I didn’t pursue baseball opting to play wide receiver for Cal Berkeley instead.I was always pulling for you when you were playing and I’m pulling for you now.Have faith “kid” and come back and amaze us once again.
Greg Schnurr
Mr. Gary Carter.
my thoughts and prayers to you and your family, you have been proven as a great catcher, now it is in god’s hands. a speedy recovery. i know the kid is as strong team player. hang in there
the laurence family
Hi Gary and Family:
As a fellow believer and die hard Met fan who had his best moment as a fan during 1986, I am praying for God’s grace and strength to you and your family. I pray that God will give you another miracle (the first being the Mets ’86 World series Game 6 win) and give you more time on this earth to bless your family, Mets’ fans and all who come across your path. Echoing another Met miracle phrase, I say to you, Gary, “You Gotta Believe”!
Wishing You All of God’s richest blessings,
Sal Perednia
To Gary & family,
Wishing you all the best and may God bless Gary.Been a die hard Met fan since I was a kid. One of Gary’s biggest fans.Never would have won in 1986 without him!!! He is in my prayers.
Let’s go Mets,
Louie
Gary,
Growing up in Canada, the Expos were my favourite team, and you’re the reason I became a catcher. When you were traded to the Mets, I became a New York fan.
I tried my hardest to see you play, but it was always so far away. But in 2001, you were inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and had the priviledge to finally meet you. I made my husband get up insanely early, in order to get there hours before it was to start.
But we sat in the second row, and as you were being led into the tented area by bagpipes, you took a second, placed your hand on my shoulder and said “thanks for coming”. My husband was amazed, and you gave me a moment that will remain with me forever. It turned me back into that 7 year old girl who watched and cheered for you.
You made everyone believe that magic can happen, and it did in 1986. You brought everyone in, and made us feel that we were a part of that moment. Now is the time that you need to let everyone else bring you in, surround you to give you strength and hope. My prayers are with you and your family.
Thanks Kid! Keep strong and fighting! Most of all keep that smile!!!!!!
Dayna
Gary,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Keep the smile Kid!!!
Chris
Hi Gary,
I want you to know that i am praying for you and your family. Lean on the Lord and he will help you. You are one of my baseball heros. 1986 is still one of my greatest years. You were the final piece of the puzzle that helped the Met’s win the series. If any one can overcome cancer it will be you.
Keep the faith.
Miguel De Leon
You are in our thoughts and prayers Gary.
Hey Gary,
Wishing you a speedy recovery. You were a player that all kids could look up to. Always played hard and with a smile on your face. The ’86 Mets was the best team ever and you were the co-captain with Keith. Wish the 2 of you were the manager and the head coach right now…we need you!
The Olskey family
Dear Gary,
Just wanted to let you know that my family and i am praying for you. We are wishing for a complete recovery, because the Lord’s in charge. When He’s in charge, things get done. I have been a Met fan, since I was a child. I still am! Those Mets are amazing, and so are YOU! We luv you, get well soon!
The Williams/ Peterson family
Dear Gary,
I just wanted to say thank you for all your contributions to the Mets,and more importantly,the way we see the game today.Your my dad’s favorite baseball player of all time. I will always remember watching the footage of your 2 home runs over the Green Monster at Fenway Park. Get well Kid
With well wishes and support,
The Haight Family
Opening Day 1985. I believe it was against the Cardinals. By the time you came to bat in the bottom of the 10th inning I had made my way down to the first few rows behind the Met’s dugout. As you crossed home plate after hitting the game winning walk off home run I could see the respect and admiration of your teammates. It was a great moment for Mets fans as well. Thoughts and prayers…
Hi Gary,
I was watching a replay of game 6 of the ’86 NLCS the other night. I’d forgotten your role in the middle of the winning rally, and the value of your arm in allowing the team to survive until it happened. I didn’t surprise me, though. You always were in the middle of everything, all the time. Part of what makes you so special is that while you knew how good you were, you made us watching you feel that you thought everyone around you was also special. You took pleasure in your own achievements and pleasure in everyone else’s. There is an optimism and a joy that comes through every image of you. That, more than any individual moment of triumph (or tragedy). is what I never have and never will forget. Thanks, Kid, for the memory which continues to light my path. Courage and love!
Laurence Cantor
Gary
I always admired your strength, character, and that smile and positive outlook. Thank you for all you did for the franchise and for the teammates that always saw you as their leader. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Thank you for all you have done for this sport and the unmentioned things that you have done for your family and teammates. My best to you.
You’re the best. Stay strong. I will never forget you or 1986. You will get through this “you gotta believe”. Ava Sterling
Thank you, Gary, for many wonderful years of watching a great player excel in everything he did. Now, as you deal with a greater challenge than any pitch from any pitcher, or probably any other difficulty you have faced in Life, may Psalm 118:21 be special to you, “I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.” May the blessing of the Lord be with you just as you have blessed so many of us.
Hi Gary
Just wanted to say to you that all our prayers are with you and your family.You were always a scrapper and you can overcome this just believe, all your support team is in place.No pinch hitter here you and all our prayers will get you through this. May God bless you and yours.
The Belluardo Family
Hi Gary,
Wishing you only the very best. I’ve admired your courage, character, and your faith in a higher being. These traits have served you admirably on the baseball field. I know they will guide you mightily as you battle onward in your life. My family’s love, thoughts and prayers are with you always. Please come back soon! This time as manager of the next METS World Series Championship team!
With the warmest regards,
The Rouvelas family.