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, My mother is Canadian and my father from Brooklyn. Growing up a Mets fan but in New Brunswick, Canada…I had the opportunity to not only watch your talents in Canada, but then as a player on my Team, the Mets! Your talent is obvious, but so is your heart. You bring joy to people in ways the far transcend the field. I wish you only the best and pray for you!
Dearv Gary:
I have been a Mets fan since 1962. As with all New Yorkers, keep on fighting the good fight. Get well soon.
Sincerely David C. Gorman
Vermillion, South Dakota
Gary you were always a fighter & I’m sure you will win this tough fight. My thoughts & prayers go out to you & your family!!! Love gail
Kid,
Everytime you were up at bat I cheered and prayed for you, but now I am cheering even louder for your courage in fighting this battle, and praying even harder for you to win it. You have alway been a winner, and you will win this battle also. Positive thinking and love always prevails.
Love
A Mets Fan who’s Father beat the cancer 5 years ago. It can be done, and it will again.
Dear Gary, Get well soon and fight this with all the determination and will that you have demonstrated your entire career. You are a true gentleman, My prayers are there for you and the support for your family. Det Lou NYPD
I went to high school with you. You were always a great athlete. We called you “hotdog”. Back then, you were an example to so many that played sports, along with your desire to help those in the community. 40 years later, it is inspiring to look back and see the person you have become. You have always been a fighter- never a quitter. I am confident that if anyone has fortitude to beat the odds- it’s you. I am sending you my best wishes and prayers. I look forward to seeing you back out on the diamond very soon.
Dr Phill Gorin
Gary, I don’t even know if you realize how much a part of our lives you have been and will continue to be. I am a mets fan since 1968. When the mets traded for you before the 1985 season, the spirits of everyone in the city wwere lifted. I was at your first game April 9, 1985 for the Mets when you hit a homerun into the leftfield bullpen in the 10th to win it. Me and my friends were sitting on the fair territory side of the leftfield foul pole. Your homerun practically fell in our laps. Walking down the ramps to leave the park, everyone was chanting Gary Gary. On the way home in the car, at traffic lights, guys would get out of their cars, strike a batting pose and chant Gary Gary. This was the dawn of a new era for mets fans and you were the initiator and inspiration for it.
My name is Gary and I joked that they were chantting for me. You were and are the greatest spirit to ever put on a mets uniform and you have been sorely missed all these years. Get well Gary please,
Gary, you were my favorite met in fact I had a major crush on you! Keep the faith. I know you have one last fight in you – you can beat this! Bless you and your family.
Gary I am ametfan since 1962 band as amand oof GOS Iwi pray for you and hple u know whatlies ahead when w eventually pass on have I introduce to you Jesus the giver of etrna, love the forgiver of sins.My prayers are for t u and your family
Gary,
My prayers are with you. I became a true Met Fan the 84-85 season and you’re a big reason why. I loved the way you pulled the team together and orchrastrated the field. The 86 season was one of the most nail biting exciting seasons in the history of baseball and will be memories I will treasure forever. Thank you for some wonderful years and may God be with you with you.
Gary, i just sent an autograph request to you, and you sent it back RTS. i understand why you did that, because after i recieved that back, i did research and found out about the cancer that you have. i wish you all of my best, and hope that you can defeat this killer.
Gary — As a kid, I remember meeting you at Municipal Stadium in West Palm Beach in the early 80s. You were kind enough to sign autographs for EVERY person prior to a spring training workout and even posed for pictures with everyone who requested it. I even remember you car in the parking lot (a Mercedes with the California plate KID 8) had a license plate frame which read “Baseball Has Been Very, Very Good To Me.” You have always been a hero to me and I will say a prayer for you and your loved ones. Best wishes and God bless always — Jeff in Naples, FL
Kid,
All of us Mets Fans are rooting for you. As a fan for almost 40 years 1986 was an unbeleivable year and your passion and drive were incredible.
We all wish for your speedy recovery.
The Mets have been part of me, in my blood since I was a little girl. I remember going to games with my father, grandfather and brothers and rooting for my favorite players (for the team), you of course being one of them Gary! You will forever be part of the unstoppable, determined, exciting ’86 Mets. A season I will never forget! Thank you for all your heart and the memories that will forever live on! You proved then you were a fighter, I pray for the strength for you to continue being a fighter. You are in my heart and prayers! Stay strong, keep the faith!
i can remember growing up it the 80,s all i wanted to do was where #8 and imitate the kid stance and hit baseballs all day long in the yard still to this day the kid is number 1 on my all time pedestal get well kid and wish u all the best in the future
Gary Carter,you are like a father figure to me,I watched you play in The 1986 World Series,I still have the game stubs,lol,love you dude and The Whole Mets Family,get better soon.
Kid, your heart always kept you in the game. I know this time our hearts will keep you in the game! Please feel better soon! Love Jeff
Gary Carter
As a true Mets fan I know how you help bring life to our team, when you arrived.. As a person you brought profesionalizm, chacter, and a winning culture and we thank you for this! My prayers are with you! God Bless and we all hope for a speedy recovery.
I
kharma is a bitch you arrogant piece of garbage
do you think you are addressing this to aRod?
you *ucking low life piece of shit,you die fagot.!!!
Dear Mr. Carter,
You showed me how to play the game with passion and respect. Now you will show me how to fight the same way. Even in brief autograph sessions when we’ve met, you were kind, polite, and always smiling. Thank you and God bless.
You played the game the right way and lived the right way. My prayers are with you and your family. God is your manager and He will sustain you. God bless you!
Gary Carter,
Your a true hero, a real professional and a special role model……I wish you all the best, I will say a prayer for you…………..Joseph michael Somma
ALL of us Mets fans are praying the doctors find a cure for you so you may be with us for the next 50 years
Gary–I cannot even begin to tell you the impact you have had on my life. A fan since your early days in Montreal (acquired a 4-panel Topps rookie card for a Mattingly rookie straight up–what a steal!), a catcher in Little League and throughout HS, crazed when the Mets acquired you in ’85, obviously ecstatic throughout ’86 and ’88 rooting for you as you finished on the west coast, and a certain satisfaction as you entered HOF a few years back. You are what I consider a throwback hero: an idol without the scandal, so rare in today’s world. I pray for you, and I pray that I can pass on your legacy to my own 4 children and the countless others that I now lead as a HS teacher and baseball coach on LI.
Gary you are one of the best ball player of all time. I hope and pray for you to get well soon.
God Bless you and your family
your playing helped met fans get through struggles in their lives. every met fan is praying you get through this struggle. we love you
You were the face of baseball , youthful baseball in MOntreal. You were Canadian baseball, at the major level. Thinking of you. miss you in Canada.
In 1983 I was thirteen and told everyone that if the Mets somehow replaced Mike Fitzgerald with you they would win the World Series. We got you! Nuff said.
Keep fighting!
Richard
Go for it Gary! With the same drive and determination you had when you played…and you’ll be a winner–and an inspiration to us all–again!
I’ve been a Yankees fan all my life, but I think you are a wonderful person, Gary, and you were a great player too. I’m praying for you and your family.
Stay strong Gary we are all rooting for you……..i love you ❤
Gary, I pray for your speedy recovery and i know you will succeed in beating your fight. My thoughts and prayers will be with you. God Bless
Hey Kid, You are my all favorite Mets Catcher! I was born with a birth defect So, I have had my own share of medical problems! I now live in a nuursing home in Freehold, New Jersey! Born and raised in Montclair, New Jersey. My Uncle to work for the NYPost and through him she was able to meet her Favorite Met Lenny Dykstra! My thoughts and prayers have been with you since I first heard! GET WELL SOON! Todd C. Gille
Stay strong, Gary! You’re in all of our prayers
I’ve been a Met fan all my life, from the beginning and your play, enthusiasm and dedication is always something I admired and deeply appreciated. You gave us your best and I wish you my best along with my prayers, hope and encouragement. God be with you, my friend. I’m praying for you and your family.
I had the honor of meeting you alot of times when you were with the mets.Its something I think about alot. God bless you and your family,please get well soon
God bless you Gary Carter….Let’s go Mets!
Vincent Mackiel
Gary, we send our thoughts and prayers to you and your family. Please get well soon!
Stay strong with an outstanding family and fan base!!!
Get Better Soon Gary, we’re rooting for you.
My family’s thoughts and prayers are with you Gary and your family too!!! Best catcher MLB had in quite sometime!
Youre everything a baseball player and a men should be. Take care get better and may God bless and give you the strength in your battle agienst this latest foe.
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My wishes for a peaceful and serene fall season. You were an inspiration as a NY met and I want to thank you for your spirit.
Get well Gary.
Get better soon not for us met fans but for your friends and family that love you and depend on you
Gary, we love ya !!! Think positive and may God bless and wipe away your disease… Go Mets !!!! Thanks for the many GREAT years and all the memories that will never leave us. God Bless You !!!!
Gary, Us Mets fans are thinking of you. You were an inspiration and a fighter for us when you were on the field and you are an inspiration and fighter for us now battling your illness. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Stay strong Gary and I hope you are able to enjoy many, many more seasons of the great game that you love so much.
Get well soon Gary you are without a doubt one of the Greats of the game my prayers are with you and your family!!