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 
Kid,
Thank you for so many great memories. My prayers are with you. I hope the Mets are smart enough to retire your number 8. Sooner the better.
Kid, you were an important part of my youth. Your fire and passion were inspirational, you will bring the same drive to this fight. God bless.
Get Well, Gary. All the best wishes and prayers for you and your family. God Bless.
Gary:
Best wishes for quick and speedy recovery. You were one of my favorite players and I’ve always admired you as not just a great ballplayer but a great person.
Gary:
You were my favorite Met as a kid, watched you throught the 80’s and was thrilled to see you again when I moved to SF.
You have always taken on every challenge, I remember you climbing the backstop just to catch a fowl tip. I know that your determination here will be no less. You ARE a champion and my family’s prayers are with you.
Get well Gary. Thanks for opening day 1984.
Hey Kid,
I’m praying to God and all his baseball Angels that he keeps my favorite ballplayer here with us and his family. You contibuted to the best year of my life. A World’s Championship and the birth of my second child. I have used KID86 as my sign off since. I admired you with the Expos and hailed you as a Met. Kid, you will always be a part of my life, and a best freiend from afar. God Bless you my friend and I will see you Manage the Mets in the near future. I always thought you were the best choice.. Take and Godspeed.
Kid86
Best wishes for a speedy recovery #8,our family’s thoughts are with you, as well as all your fans
Gary,
Our prayers to you and your family for strength and full recovery.
We are all pulling for you.
Best,
Jason
Dear Gary –
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this very difficult time. You will beat this!!! You’re the Kidd! Many of our finest Mets memories are of all the greatness you did for our team…Kind regards, Jeff & Dolores Lind
just like you hit a walkoff homerun on opening day in ’85 you’ll walkoff without any problems from this battle, your in my thoughts and prayers, get well soon Gary
We know you are tough, Mr. Carter. Best wishes and God Bless.
Gary,
be positive! consider alternative treatments! GET CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENTS BECAUSE THE BODY HEALS FROM THE INSIDE OUT, the same power that created the body heals the body, you can do it!!
-Michael Fenster
Chiropractic Student at Life University
Keep fighting Gary like you always have. Our prayers are with you and your family.
I pray that the blessings of our Lord surround you and your family during this time. And that this time in your life God hits a homerun for you! Blessings and hugs, Jeanne
I remember your passion and love for the game. I wish you peace and strength through this challenge. God Bless You.
Gary, you’ve been an inspiration to millions of fans over the years and a true blessing to those that have had the pleasure of knowing and working with you. Your legacy with the Mets will never be forgotten and you will forever be remembered as a truly GREAT man, both on & off the field. My thoughts & prayers are with you and your family. God bless.
Dear Gary,
You were my hero growing up, and once again you are my hero. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. You are a true champion, in life and on the baseball diamond.
Sincerely,
Kevin
God Bless and you and your family are in all of our hearts and prayers.
Gary, you were a great Met and great major leaguer. Your faith and the way you played the game has inspired a lot of people, #8 with the Mets, the Kid was this kids fave. Get well soon, you and your family are in my prayers!!!
Dear Gary:
Watching you play baseball was a joy. I am praying for you and your family. I wish you all the best…..
Dear Gary
You were my hero when I was a kid. You’re still my hero. This cancer is no different than batting in the 10th inning of game 6. You didn’t make the last out then, and you won’t now.
Good luck and god bless
Gary, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Stay strong, Kid.
Love
The Brocks Family
Mr. Carter, I still remember your home run to win your first game as a met. Your were a joy to watch. Best wishes as you battle this!
Hopes for a quick and complete recovery,
Jeff
Mr. Carter, I still remember your home run to win your first game as a met. Your were a joy to watch. Best wishes as you battle this!
Hopes for a quick and complete recovery,
Jeff
Get well soon Gary.
You were my hero growing up and you never let me down. You are a true champion. You never gave up when your back was against the wall and I know you will come through again! You and your family are in my prayers. God Bless you,Gary Carter!
Dear Gary,
As a young man watching you play on the Mets from faraway London, during a very low period in my life, you inspired me to fight and not give up. I send all my prayers and love to you and yours. God bless you Gary, keep fighting the good fight. We love ya. – Rob
Prayers and best wishes!
you were my childhood hero, stay strong, we still need you.
ivan
Gary I enjoyed watching you play and you were on of my favorite catchers. I know you will beat this and I am praying for you.
Jason
Sending positive energy your way, Kid. You’re a fighter and a winner. If anybody can beat this thing, it’s you. Kick it’s ass!
you are in our thoughts and prayers! Wishing you the best, just like you gave us your best!!
Wishing you all the best. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I know I speak for all Mets fan when I say that you will beat this !
The most excited and happiest I was was during the hot stove prior to the 1985 season when the Mets made the Gary Carter trade!!! I jumped around the house and called friends and said the Mets finally made a trade for them that was as great as the Seaver trade was bad!!
Get well Kid!!! We’re praying for you!
Rob and Cheryl
Get Well Gary, You’re a champion and a gentleman. I’m praying for you recovery. Thanks for 86.
God Bless,
Bob
Gary- when I was embracing the NY Mets for the first time in my life you were one of the faces of the team that led to my love for this franchise.
If all is lost at least we know that it’s because God needs a special guy to catch his fastballs he fires out there to us.
Gary, Keep fighting and you will beat this, I will never forget the time you called my niece and her family when she was fighting cancer. You lifted her spirits as well as my sister and her family. God Bless and know your baseballl family is praying for you and you family.
Kevin
Gary, you are loved and admired by millions and we are all praying for you. I believe in miracles and know that you can beat this. God is with you always.
Love you lots, Gary,
Mary
Gary….My Thoughts & Prayers are with you…
God Bless you and your family..
Lou A
We will all be thinking about you and praying for you and your family, with gratitude for what you did for the Mets 25 years ago, and what you did for baseball throughout your career.
All the best Gary. Thoughts are with you and yours at this time and wishing you a speedy recovery, Kid.
Chris
Co. Down, Ireland.
Get well soon Gary. Greatest catcher of all time
Sending positive vibes your way Gary. Get well sir!!
Gary,
Praying to the good Lord for your healing. You added class and a winning spirit to make the Mets Champions. God Bless.
Get well Gary!!!
Gary,
You will come back from this the same way you helped the Mets come back from two runs down with two out in the 10th inning of Game Six.
God bless you, Kid.
Ken
Gary Carter is my all time favorite Mets player. I grew up idolizing him as a catcher, and mimicked his aggressive baseball style both behind the plate and with the bat. When I was a kid I sent him a baseball card to sign, he mailed me back 2 signed photos of himself. 1 in a Mets uniform and 1 with him and his son. I’ve always idolized him and will continue to do so. Gary, you will always me in our hearts and thoughts!
Wishing you well. I had the pleasure of meeting you and you are a true gentleman.
Gary you are still one of my favorites of alltime. we know you will pull through. God bless you and your family.
Love Matt