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 
Get well soon Gary!
gary, all good thoughts and prayers are with you. believe because i do!!!! joanmarie shults
Gary our Prayers to you and your familly, and we know that God is with you and you will be better soon. God Bless you and your familly.
Gary – get better. We still need you. Steve Sonnick
Dear Gary
All of the expos fan are wishing you well. You were always a fighter and you will win this battle. Number 8 forever.
Gary, I have you in my prayers. I hope you see all of the people here. This kind of love doesn’t come from just being the great baseball player that you are, it comes from sharing your heart and soul with the fans. You gave so much of yourself and now you have the prayers of all of your supporters with you. New York fans love you and you probably noticed that New Yorkers don’t just give that kind of love to just anyone. You had us with you from day one! You’ll always have us with you. Get well, soon!
Get well soon, Kid. You are one of my heroes.
Get well, Kid. You gave us Mets fans so many thrills in the mid 1980s – and none of us will forget your run to the mound after Marty Barrett struck out to end Game 7. We’re all pulling for you.
You made me a baseball fan from Sherbrooke Que with the expos and a catcher in my youth. Take care and get well soon. Come back and coach the Toronto Blue Jays!
Thanks for being an incredible MET, thank you for bringing toughness to our METS. I hope you make an incredible recovery, forever a MET.
Gary,
I love you! You can beat this!
Check out all the love you got on my blog!
http://mymetsjournal.blogspot.com/2011/05/this-ones-for-you-kid-we-love-you-gary.html
I was in San Diego when you hit your 3 home runs. I’ve been a die hard Mets fan since 69 when I was in elementary school and my teacher used to let us watch the World Series on TV during class. I wish you best and you are in my thougths and prayers
Met you back in ’88 and you were so kind an gracious with my sister and I. Your in our thoughts and prayers. Take care Gary.
I was a high school catcher that was lucky enough to get the Mets broadcasts on cable in ’85 and ’86 – i wanted to be this man for all kinds of reasons, mostly because of his heart more than skills….get well soon
Get well, Kid- I always hated you when I was a kid, but I want you to take that as a compliment. You always beat up on the Cubs, and I was a Cubs fan then. I won’t hold a grudge, like my dad always says, if you hate everyone who beats up on the Cubs, there will be no one left to like. You were an electrifying player who dominated the game from behind the plate (and next to it). Keep on smiling!
Excellent post Jacob!!! Absolutely excellent post…………Kurt
Gary…YOU are the reason I became a Mets fan way back in the 80s! I had such a WILD crush on you (actually I still do and probably always will!) Please know how much you have meant to so many of us! Get well very soon! We love you!!
Gary, I have lots of memories from 85 and 86, you were the heart and soul of the team I have followed since 1969. Get well soon, you are a role model for all generations. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
serge balsamo
First I pray to my Lord Jesus Christ to heal you both phsically and spiritually. I have been a die hard Mets fan since ’74 when I went to my first MLB game, and there has been many “wait to next year moments”, but I know that when you joined the Mets back then, you were the one player who had the heart to lead them to the W.S. title, you were that key player. Don’t forget that we Mets fans are grateful for your accomplishments both on and off the field, thank you. The game is not over yet, just have faith because we have an Almighty God, and He is a Mets fan.
May the Lord bring peace and healing to you. You are a champion and we love you!
Gary, Wishing you all the best from a lifelong Met fan. I remember how excited I was when I heard you had joined the Mets back in the day, and how unbelievably excited I was when you guys won Game 6 in ’86 and then won it all. My thoughts are with you and your family. Get well soon.
Dear Gary,
So glad to hear you’re doing better! A belated thanks to you…a few years back, when you were inducted into the Hall of Fame, my friend and I had taken our high school baseball team up to the Hall for a visit and you were there for a local press conference. You graciously signed autographs, took pictures with the guys on the team and a few others who’d happened by as you were leaving the building. A first class act through and through! Can’t wait to see you back at the field!
Get well soon Gary, I watched the expos as a kid, you are one of my all time favorite player and a role model.
Martin, Sherbrooke, Quebec
I know I speak for all Canadian baseball fans when I wish Gary and his family the strength to get through this latest hurdle. I was one of the lucky ones who saw Gary play his last game in Montreal, September 27, 1992. It was worth the two hour drive to see him lead the Expos with the game winning RBI to beat the Chicago Cubs 1-0. His last game was attended by almost 42,000 fans, the largest crowd of the year. This was not the only time I saw Gary in action but it is the one I will never forget. To an exeptional individual, the only Expo in the Hall of Fame, again, stay strong and all of Canada’s thoughts are with you and your family.
I was watching TV in a sports bar in Florida when I saw the Mets win the world series in 1986. You were a big part of the team, and the teams cheerleader. I hope you get better soon.
http://thebubble.msn.com/video/?id=9e4b4c01-6267-49ce-95a0-349396073dcd
Dear Gary,
When I was young you were my idol, and still my idol. I am a Yankee fan but I am a huge fan of yours. I wish you all the best and hope you get better soon. Feel better “KID”
Gary….I was just 19 when the Mets traded for you. I can remember that day clearly….and also freezing my ass off waiting on line at the Shea Ticket counter the day tickets went on sale for the ’85 season. There was no doubt in my mind you would bring a World Series Championship to Shea. I sat in section 26 in the upper level box seats with my dad for game 6…its one of the greatest memories I ever got to share with him. Thank you for that! Thank you for ALL of the memories!
IM FROM PITTSBURGH AMBRIDGE PA I ALWAYS REMEMBERED U WEN I WAS A LIL KID U TOUCHED MY LIFE GARY GET WELL SOON……….MARK FLANAGAN
God bless you, Kid. The thoughts and prayers of all Mets fans are with you. I was in law school in 1986, and watching the Mets on cable was about the only entertainment I could afford. You and the ’86 Mets were more than a diversion. That season was very important to me, and I remain grateful.
My thoughts and prays are with you buddy, you’re the best and I know you can beat this.
As a life long Yankee fan, I have no problem saying how much I enjoyed watching players like Gary and Keith play the game the way they did…always giving 110%, always showing the great hearts they had, and always having fun.
Gary’s smile and attitude has always been infectious and his leadership speaks for itself.
I would like to extend my good wishes on a speedy recovery and may God bless you Gary.
All the best!
Dear Gary,
My families thoughts and prayers are with you. If anyone can beat cancer, it’s you.
I have been a Mets fan my whole life and consider you the only true captain of the team. Your professionalism on and off the field needs to be recognized. You are a wonderful role model. Keep the faith!
Wish you the best kid you did for just and we rooted and now we are still f
Rooting for you God Bless
I wish you the best! You can pull through this. They told me I didn’t have a chance of surviving Leukemia but 22 yrs later I’m here rooting for you to get better. You worked magic for the Mets in the 80s now it’s time for you to work a mirracle for yourself.
God bless you Gary Carter.
Gary, years ago I had the honor of meeting you, you showed up at a small local store for an autograph session, you signed whatever people brought. I have the pleasure of owning a signed Gary Carter baseball which I cherish. You stayed till everybody who showed up had met you and had your autograph and you did it all for free. You always showed tremendous class, the fierce competative spirit to win and be the best you and your team could be and an unbridled positive spirit. Our hearts and prayers are with you and I know that you will bring the tenacity to this fight that you brought to the diamond. I have every expectation that you will beat this and will be back on the field where you belong
Hey Kid!
You were and always will be one of the best players I’ve ever had the pleasure of watching play. Face this battle like you faced every battle on the playing field and you’ll beat this opponent too. I’m praying for you man!
Hang in there, Kid! Here’s wishing you a full recovery and a return to all you love and love to do.
Gary,
My dad and I wanted to wish you a speedy recovery. We sat in to dugout in Norfolk, Va. talking to you on numerous occasions. My dad was the batboy and I worked in the clubhouse. God Bless you, you are a great guy. I am honored to know you.
Greg
We love you Gary! Take care and get well soon. I grew up enjoying your passion for the game and life. You are a wonderful role model and example.
MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU GARY CARTER AND YOUR FAMILY. GET WELL SOON HOPE TO SEE YOU AT CITI FIELD SOON. PETER
Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family! I still remember your face when the Mets won the 1986 World Series. It was priceless. God Speed Gary!! The Levine Family. Ann (mom) & Mike (son)
Gary, you are and have always been an inspiration to people. You always carried yourself with class, and with a positive attitude. Get back soon and one day you will manage the mets. We love you Gary.
My thoughts & Prayers are with You…..get well soon Gary!!!!
Rooting for you to get well soon!
Number 8! Our Cleanup Hitter, You are always The Man, even though they call you The Kid! We are praying for you and know that you will win this.
Stay positive, which is how you showed us all as you lived your life.
Ron B
You made happen in 1986. a real hero then and now again you have to came out and beat your illness. Get well champ I’m praying for you and I know you will. A big hug dear friend.
Get better Gary you are a big part of the Mets History!
In 1998, I had what you now have.
I got better and so will you.
Cliff Wild
Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Take care Gary and get well soon.