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,
Just like game 6, you wont make the last out. Keep on fighting like you always have. May god look after you and your family. Keep the smile alive.
Steve Phillips and family
Keep swinging Gary, because we want you here the next time the Mets win it all, and the next time after that… So you best plan on sticking with us for at least another 25 years! God bless, and good thoughts to you and your family from our family.
Hi Gary the Kid.
When you were an Expo, I would often say, boy would I love Gary Carter on the Mets. Thought that was a pipe dream, but when you became a NY Met that was a great day for NY. You were always my favorite player on how you played the game and your passion day in day as a great Mets catcher. My prays go out to you for a full recovery. I live in Florida and would be honored to meet you one day. Take care and God bless you. Mark
Gary ,
You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
You are the Kid forever . God bless
Met fans will always be by your side “KID” keep up the fight you are in our prayers!!!! You never gave up in a game andwe will never give up on you.. Stay strong !!!!
Stay alive, Gary, the same way you kept the team alive in game 6 of the ’86 WS. Keep battling as always.
In our hearts and prayers……..and mostly in our fondest memories. Be well, Gary.
25 years ago tonight my prayer was .. Please don’t let Gary make the last out.
You didn’t, in fact you started the winning rally!!. So my prayer for you tonight is to continue to rally and fight this cancer. God Bless you and keep you in his care
P.S.- Without a doubt you are the greatest catcher in New York Mets history.. as well as one of the greats of all time..
Kid, you refused to make the last out 25 yrs ago tonight… and you are NOT going to let this beat you, I know it.. keep your chin up and remember- you are one of the reasons that team never quit… Just keep getting better my friend… Praying that you get a little better each and everyday.. God Bless & stay strong Gary..
Pulling for you, Kid. You always gave it your all. For that, Met fans will always consider you family. Keep up the fight. We’re behind you all the way.
Love you, kid. Play tough and beat the odds like always! Thanks for the thrills of 1986!!
Recently found the “baseball card” they produced for my little league back in the late 80s – my number at the time was 8, and my favorite player said “Gary Carter.” Its been a long time since then, but you’re still one of my favorites. Be well man, and fight the good fight.
Gary, 25 years ago tonight you said “I’m not going to be the one to make the last out.” That time still hasn’t come and it won’t for a long while. Hang in there, Kid!
Gary My Thoughs Are With You And Your Family I Will Never Forget That Smile You Had When We Won The Series In 86.God Bless You Are The Best.
Hey Kid My thoughts and prayers are with you! Keep the faith.
-Pete Conway
Gary and Family,
I just want you to know that we know EXACTLY what you are going through. My 46 year old husband has been battling this monster for 15 months. The doctors have decided that treatment is no longer beneficial, so it is now in Gods hands. Prayers to you and yours!
Remember Kid, winners don’t lose, you will win you battle against your cancer. Keeping smiling and have faith in yourself and God. I am a transplanted New Yorker, now living near you in Port St Lucie, 1986, 1986, 1986. Go Gary!
You are my all time favorite Met!! Your contribution to the Amazings in 86′ will never be forgotten! Wishing you a speedy recovery! Best wishes to you and your family!
My family and I wish you the best. Get well!
Gary,
Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery.
I have been a Mets fan since 1964 and we well remember your contribution to the 1986 Championship team.
Get better Gary, In my eyes you are and will always be the best catcher the Mets have ever had! Get better soon because I believe you could be still be a great asset to baseball!
Hang in there “KID”.baseball fans everywhere are praying for you and your family.
Kid –
I saw Ron Darling’s tribute to you in the Stand up 2 Cancer commercial during the WS. Made me remember your memorable days as a Met. Wishing you all the best.
You are and will always be that missing piece to the puzzle. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Gary, stay positive and strong. Your fans are pulling for you. All Americans should S^2C. You are an inspiration to me.
Dear Gary , Your heart is bigger than the game . Your smile is brightens our day . Your passion leads the way . Get well soon Kid !
Dear Gary , Your heart is bigger than the game . Your smile is brightens our day . Your passion leads the way . Get well soon and Kid !
Gary, Your class has never been an act. Take care, get well with a full recovery. Always a fan, Dave
gary my family thoughts n prayers r with u n ur family speedy recovery best of luck health get well soon
Kid!!! We love you!!! You were such an inspiring player. And now, during your current fight, you are an even more inspiring individual. We wish you the absolute best, Gary. And it’s worth saying again, WE LOVE YOU!!! Pull through!!! You gotta believe!!!
Steve and Claudette
Wishing you a speedy recovery Gary. You are a class act and will always be a Met!!
Get well, Gary! The way you played the position of catcher & especially how you handled the talent-laden yet wild & crazy Mets staff of the mid to late 80’s (particularly the ’86 team) was remarkable!! I use your nickname for Ron Darling for laughs often when hanging with my baseball-loving buddies! Thank you for many great memories in baseball…get well, Kid!!
Gary
Being a New Yorker that was transplanted in Chicago – I apologize I did not hear sooner. My prayers and wishes to you and your family. My family as well is going through a difficult time with cancer so I can sympathize and empathize with your situation. My mother Joan was just diagnosed with AML leukemia. Sports seem to transcend life sometimes as I am sure you know. Where you may have only been a player at the time and seen it as only a game but to reflect back and see that life lessons can be found even in sports. The memorable bottom of the 9th on a cold October night in 1986 taught me to always believe and never give up. Whether its praying for God to lay his healing hand or handful of Miracle Mets putting together the most miraculous and improbably come back in history. Our thoughts are with you Kid. Get well soon
Peter, Eddie, & Joan Annis
Marengo, IL
im a 46 year old englishman, i live in a town called worthing on the south coast.
i remember watching the mets in the world series in 86 and you were always my fav player and iv been a fan of you and the mets ever since. have faith and fight the good fight, people all over the world are praying for you. pretend its game 6 bottom of the 9th in 86… god bless and keep beliveing
Dear Gary, I was unable to go to your induction into the hall with Eddie Murray, so I look forward to seeing you there the next time i`m in Cooperstown, so be well,and prayers are with you. I met you in Trenton N.J. about ten years ago, a real class act then and now! Best wishes for a full recovery.
Hi Gary,
I, too, am a Lancer…
I’ve watched your career over the years and was so sorry to hear about your cancer. Hoping that the treatments you’re doing are successful in shrinking the Glioblastoma. You should be so proud for the GOOD you’ve done through your charitable work.
A fan forever…
You may my family happy with the win in 1986
Gary,
We pray for your recovery, we know as Met fans your a man that doesn’t take no for an answer, and don’t believe in giving up. Your like Tug Mc Graw, in his Battle Hymm, “You Gotta Believe.” We Wish you well… God Bless you and thanks for the memories, and all you did to keep fans believing. Love Always! Brian
Mets fans love the Kid — hang in there, Gary — we’re all pulling for you.
You gotta believe Kid…saying a prayer for your complete recovery!
Gary feel better and get well soon my friend spring training right around the corner and your uniform will be waiting in your locker ,
see you in spring training God bless you and your family (Get well )
only the best, for a fine gentleman and baseball player,they dont come any finer’
As a die-hard Cardinals fan in the mid-80s, you were my nemesis and my bane. But I could not help but respect your ability, your passion, and your intelligence. May all my opponents be so worthy.
You have my very best wishes, Mr. Carter, now and always. God bless you and your family.
Hey there Mr. Carter. Thanks so much for the inspiring play you provided my brother and me while we were growing up in the 70’s and 80’s. You truly were an incredible catcher! He was an Expo fan, and I will bleed orange and blue forever. That said, you always provided that smile and let us know the game was fun. When we were both fortunate to play collegiately, we always smiled in the heat of the battle because of our memories of you taking the game as it shuld be taken: fun and a priviledge to play it. Good luck and God bless to you and your family. I know you will be smiling when you beat this horrible disease!
I’m glad to hear the tumors are shrinking. You are in my prayers. May this trial you are going through bring increased faith and comfort from the Lord Jesus Christ. May God richly bless you and remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:33. Sincerely, Minister Bob Carr
Mr Carter..and I say that with great respect!, I personally met you when you stopped to talk to me while you were on your cell phone attached to your car lol prior to you driving into Shea, you said to me “hey kid” and “I was shocked you called me kid” On this day you hit two Homers against the phillies. I was at that game and after your first home run (we were losing and my dad wanted to leave Shea) I said no Carter is up next he is going to hit another one and you did! I know you will two more home runs agai. One for your family and one for your fans ! you will beat this!
We are praying for you! You were gracious to give me an interview when I met you in Pittsburgh when you were with the Marlins…you were always special! Take care of yourself and all the best to the children and Sandy! Tom & Beverly Strauss, Neptune City, NJ
You are in our prayers for a total recovery.
Keep getting better and never quit. Like the 86 Mets you just have to have faith and being a believer, keep on praying as I will for you. God bless.