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, You and your family are in my daily prayers…….God Bless you and your family. JanBridge, Castleton, NY
Gary we remember when you wouldn’t be the last guy to make an out. We love you and wish you the best.
In 1986 you had the whole Mets team behind you and beside you as you fought to bring so much thrilling baseball to we Mets fans. Now you have all of us behind and beside you too, in a much more meaningful fight. If prayers were the cure, you’d be done with doctors now! G-d watch over you and keep you.
Lesli Cutler
Mets fan since 1962
Gary, thanks for all the great memories, keep on smiling your contagious smile, our prayers are with you. Get well quickly.
Best Wishes Gary, I wish you all the strength and courage required to beat this terrible disease. Bob
Stay strong Gary, you are my favorite 86 Met. Nothing but love and prayers to you and your family. William Valderrama, Astoria, NY
Get well Gary! We love you and the magical 86 Mets! You gave us Mets fans a season full of great memories to last a lifetime! We love you! Jimmy, AnnMarie, Veronica, & Hope the Constantinides family
Never give up…God does create miracles. Well wishes to you. I know you have lots of support from family, friends, and fans around the world.
Gary our thougths and prayers are with you…dont worry God will heal you !!!
Gary,
I had the opportunity to meet you when I was 7 and when I was 27 and you were a true gentleman both times. I am a life-long Met fan I wish you a you the best. Get well soon!
Mark
Dear Gary,
Wishing you all the best. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Respectfully,
The Reillys
Keep fighting, Kid. You are a winner, a champion, and a hero. Know how much we love you, and keep winning!
Dear Gary,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I’ve been a Mets fan since 1973 and you are my favorite Mets player ever. I was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer in 2005 and told I had a year-and-a-half to live and I’m still here and feeling fine, so don’t ever give up!
Sue
We love you Kid! You are in our thoughts and Prayers.
We love you Kid, thoughts and prayers.
Thanks for all you have done for the Mets and NYC. Hang in there Kid, I survived cancer 30 years ago and you can and will now.
My prayers are with you always…..keep the faith
have faith,get well,…soon!!!!!!
Kid,
You can beat this……stay strong & believe in the power of prayer. You have millions praying for you!!!
Jay
Hi Gary,
I’m believing for a miraculous healing in your physical life, if God be for us who can be against us. I love you in Christ and will be praying that any sickness and disease be completely gone in Jesus name. God Bless you Gary!
Desde Mexico te envío mis oraciones y mis mejores deseos. Siempre he admirado tu caracter y trayectoria. Ojalá te recuperes. Gracias por todo.
Gary,
For years you gave us a reason to be true METS fans, you gave us a reason to cheer and enjoy baseball. You gave us a reason to believe…..now it’s our turn to make you believe. You will get thru this and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Be strong, give it your all and give us one more reason to cheer. Batter up Gary….lets do this.
Luis S….Union City, NJ
Please Kid,get well.
Gary, you were the last piece of the puzzle back in the day. I will never forget the walk-off home run in your first game as a Met. And in a lifetime of watching sports, my greatest thrill was the 10th inning of Game 6 against the Red Sox. Thank you for those memories.
Shorten up that swing and keep fouling them off! May God bless you and heal you. We’re pulling for you Kid!
Rich Vincello
Gary I hope and pray for you that the Lord will heal and tough you..Don’t give up. ok? Lance .
Kid,
Get well soon. I am praying for you and your family. You and your teammates gave me so much joy growing up and I know that you’ll beat cancer and honor the Lord in doing so.
Mike Hodge
Gary,
May God Bless you in your toughest fight, but we know you can come through this. You were one of my favorite players on the 86 team & I loved the way you played the game with such passion. My thoughts & prayers are with your & your family.
Stay strong.
Gary, You helped make it great. Fight hard and God Bless You. You are loved!
GARY CARTER WE THE METS FANS WILL ALWAYS ROOTING FOR YOU.
YOU ARE A GENTLEMAN OF THE HIGHEST ESTEEM, AND YOU BROUGHT INTEGRITY TO BASEBALL.
GET WELL SOON AND MAY GODS BLESSINGS BE ON YOU FOREVER.
I was and still am a huge Gary Carter fan! Always the best to you and your family.
I remember that game. What a team. It was all of you put together to make it happen. Now again, everyone is together. It will all work out.
Gary “The Kid” Carter, I truly want you to know that I was saddened to hear about your condition. I have been and will continue to pray for you that things take a turn for the best. God’s will be done! Fight hard and keep the faith like it’s Game 6 against the Boston Red Sox in 1986!!!
Love ya!
Marc
Gary,
I am praying for you and sending you my best wishes. You were an inspiration for many long suffering Mets fans. The most important thing though is that you feel better!
Hi Gary, a couple of months ago my best Friend, called me and told me that his son was in some tryout with the Sailfish and that he was with you. I’ve been a Met Fan since 1962, of course 1986 was magical. Thats why I know in My heart that Magic and God’s blessing will happen again. With Faith and Prayers we will overcome this situation. Miracles do happen not only on the baseball field but in Lifes. as well. We will pray for that to happen. Thnaks for all the Great memories, get well
God of healing mercy, in Jesus your Son you stretch out your hand in compassion, restoring the sinner, healing the sick, and lifting up those bowed down. Embrace us now in your loving care, particularly those afflicted with cancer, for whom this intention is offered. May the Spirit of Jesus bring us all health in soul and body, that with joy and thanksgiving we may praise you for your goodness, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
I still have a picture of you and me when I was like 10 growing up in Long Island. I am a huge fan of the mets largely due to you. I wish you all the best, you can beat this!
Gary,
I became a fan of yours in 1974 when you played winter ball for the Criollos de Caguas in Puerto Rico. Because of your dedication and will to succeed we nicknamed you CHOLITO. As a Mets fan I was thrilled when you became one of ours. I managed litle league baseball for 25 years and you were the example I used as to what a ball player should be. I am sure the Loord will guide you through this path . Best of luck Kid
Jay
Gary; I was saddened to hear of your health issues. My brother John and I went to nicholas with you and he played with you in little league. Remember the Traxlers? Anyway, I’ve always been happy to hear of all your success in life. And now my prayers are with you and your family. May God be with you and keep you, Good Luck , Laura
Gary,
I can’t decide which is my favorite Gary Carter moment. When you joined the Mets. Or even better, the ’86 World Series (best ever, hands down). Or when I had the pleasure of meeting you in spring training with the Expos in West Palm Beach in 1981. You not only signed autographs for ALL the fans there, but you also posed for pictures and joked around with everyone, too. But I would have to say my favorite “Kid” moment was in 1994 when I was fortunate to hear you speak at a Christian businessmen’s breakfast at the Palm Beach Fair Grounds. After the speech, you were kind enough to sign my copy of “The Gamer” (loved it) and gracious enough to talk one on one with some folks…myself included. Although I had appreciated you as an athlete, I admire you more as Christian. Keep your faith strong Gary. My prayers are with you and your family.
God Bless,
Adam Lysiak
Gary you never refused to sign a ball for me when you came to San Diego. I wish you success now.
All the best, Ira
Gary: My wife and I are longtime Philadelphia Phillies fans, but have always enjoyed your spirit and attitude when you were with the Expos and later the Mets. The true baseball fan admires any player who exemplifies the spirit of the sport. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you respond to this challenge.
pull through this
Thanks for all the memories heal quickly you can do it ….
Gary Carter you are loves by many people for your never say die attitude, now is not the time to change that, all us met fans Love Gary Carter, we know you won’t quit on us or your family. God Bless
John in Tucson, Az
Mr. Carter.
Wishing you a complete recovery. I remember your first HR as a Met as I was at that game. My son plays for SFHS and has considered PBI as one of his colleges. Hope to see you back on the field soon. God Bless.
RLC
Hang tough Kid – lots of great memories – thanks for all of them – in our prayers – God Bless.
Chris
My thoughts and prayers to you and yours. I grew up watching the Kid. You have always been one of my heroes. I’ve been a Mets fan my whole life and you were the heart of the team back then- a class act. To a truly great man- this is only one of many battles you will win.
Love and well wishes to the entire Carter family- Amanda in St Petersburg
Gary, I am a Yankee fan but mainly a New Yorker like yourself. I always appreciate how you carried yourself on the field and i’m sure you will do the same with this latest battle. I know you will win.
Best of luck,
Chris Butler
all my thoughts and prayers are with Gary and his family…you were the guy who started the greatest two-out rally ever…if anyone personifies the term batteler it is “The Kid” Jim
Gary –
I have been one of your biggest fans for 30+ years and I KNOW you will be around for at least 30 more!
Fight hard Kid — we all love you!
Erik