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, You’ve always been my favorite player on the Mets. I’m such a fan that I drove from Long Island to Montreal the night you had your number 8 retired. I also drove to Cooperstown for your induction ceremony. I even attended a game when you were managing the OC Flyers. Eventhough you lost, you still signed my jersey….class act ! I couldn’t believe it when I heard the news but I know with your courage and your faith in God you will beat this. I just attended an 86 reunion autograph show and it just wasn’t the same without you there. Get Well Soon, hope to see you at Citi Field sometime next season.
Frank
Keep fightin, Kid! We are all on cheering for you!! You remain my all-time favorite Met because you never gave up and always displayed a positive attitude. We believe!
As a Met fan, I recalled hating you every time you played agains us. It was not a personal thing but an admiration of your talent and all the damage you did to us with your bat and catching. Once you got on our side, no one in NY could help but love you and love the way you played the game. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and we know that you have been a fighter all your life and with God at your side, you will defeat this challenge. You have an entire nation on your side!
At the ripe age of 45, I admit that I feel weird writing my first “sports fan” letter, but I could think of no better recipient than Gary Carter. I grew up in Montreal, a die-hard fan of the Expos. Through the good and bad years, no one exhibited more professionalism, enthusiasm and joy playing baseball than Gary Carter. A true joy to watch, the constant all-star smile exhibited by Gary only demonstrated his true love of the game, and the manner he approached his job as a true Montreal sports legend, where baseball always took a backseat to Hockey. A true gracious and consummate professional with the fans and media – – truly one of the greats.
It hurt when he left Montreal, and it hurt when I heard the news of his illness. I know he will combat this disease and get better..
As the cover of the special baseball issue of Sports Illustrated once captioned with his photo – – he truly was the best in the business. To me, he was the greatest all-around Expo of all.
Get well soon.
Growing up, I had countless posters and pictures of Gary Carter on my bedroom wall!!! 25 years later and he is still one of my all time favorite players!!! I remember holding my “Gary Carter Fan Club” sign at Shea and cheering as loud as I could whenever I saw him!! It made my day when he looked our way and waved and we were lucky enough to have a picture taken with him with that sign in hand!! Gary… I wish you the best of luck in your recovery and know that the Kid will pull through!!! xoxoxoxo
Gary Carter, I pray for you at your time of need. Keep the faith, I just beat Throat Cancer, and Im pulling for you. From Pittsburgh and I always enjoyed how you played the game. They dont make them like you anymore, and baseball suffers. You always hustled, gave it your all ,a nd was a very passionate player. Again Gid bless you, and Im pullong for you
Gary,
I remember a snowy night in 1988 when you came to the Newburgh mall to sign autographs. You did it in support of the leukemia foundation. Many people prepaid for your autograph, as did I, and many people had tickets numbered after mine. I remember this so well for many reasons, but the most telling for me was I asked you for a picture with my two year old son. Not only did you allow this, you held him as I took the picture which I cherish. You are a genuine sports hero. Myself and my family pray for your speedy recovery.
I’m 36 yrs old. As a kid growing up my baseball teams number had to be 8. I had to be behind the plate. At the age of 10 I was trying to be Gary Carter. Gary as a picture perfect role model we all know you will win this battle. God will make sure you’re fine. Good Bless you and thank you for giving me memories that I will never forget.
Kid,
You will be healed in Jesus’ mighty Name, praying over Isaiah 53:5 for you my Brother. From your days as a kid growing up in the Expos organization thru your days as a Met, you were and always will be a class act. God Bless You
I am a survior and I know you will be also, be strong and get back in baseball where they need you and you belong.
Hoosier Met Fan
My Mom and Grandfather had the same disease. I remember speaking to a Neurologist who noted that any person he came in contact with this time of Brain Tumor, Globlastoma Multiforme, was a great person. Tug Mcgraw and Bobby Murcer also come to mind. Best wishes in finding a cure and overcoming this disease.
Mr Carter,
I wish you all the best during your fight. I’m rooting for you!
Kid:
Stay strong. For you and your family. I look forward to the day you will throw out a first ball at Citifield. Until than, best of luck to you and your family.
if you are really reading this.. get well soon!
hey gary thanks for being a true mets player. you were and well wishes. get well soon
get well gary! you’re amazin!
Gary, you were my hero growing up. You played the game the way it was meant to be played. There is no other catcher who has or has had you level of focus.
I was extremely excited to attend my first live baseball game traveling from the east coast of Canada and never dreamed that I would run into you at the airport in Montreal where you kindly gave me your autograph.
I hope you find the strength to keep fighting.
Len
Thank you Gary for so many great Mets memories. Get well soon
Gary God bless you,you where an outstanding player and a credit to major league baseball ,along with being a great model player.Our prayers are with you and your family, Thanks for everything that you brought to the game we all love!
Dick
Game 6 you got the rally started and now you will as well Kid! God Bless!
Gary , Get well soon! I was their for your 1st game as a Met when you hit that homerun to win the game! I became a fan then and continued to be a fan of yours because you are and always will be a class act!
Gary, you were my first favourite player. When I was little, finding your card in a pack of cards was always a highlite and a thrill. I never actually saw you play live, but every time you were playing on tv, you had my attention.
Thank you
Gary,
We all love you and we wish the best for you, you will beat this just like you and the 86 squad beat the Sox. Thanks for the memories and we look forward to having more with you in the years to come!!!!
God Bless You from a lifelong BoSox fan.
Gary, I was on the edge of my seat with two outs on that crazy day and you delivered. I had tickets to game 7 and you enabled that experience to happen. Thank You for being you and a tremendous role model for a generation, we all know you have what it takes. life long met fan Nelson G
You are the Heart of the Mets. You are a reminder of what the Mets were and can become again. May Hope and Faith be your closest friends. We will continue to pray for you and your family. Stay Strong!
You were my hero at 7 years old, you’re my hero now at 32. Keep up the good fight number 8. We love you.
Dear Kid,
I wish you a speedy recovery. Stay positive, if anyone can beat this it’s you. Remember, game 6, against the odds, you got it started, turned it all around, you’ll do it again!!!!
Godspeed to you and your family Gary. You’re in my prayers.
Love,
Michael
Gary – I can’t find the words to tell you how wonderful it is that you are getting better and winning this fight, just as I always knew you would – you were the best back in that amazing year in 1986 and you are still the best – you continue to prove that all you need is heart and anything can be achieved – I will never forget – be strong and God bless you
I was number 8 in Little League because you were my favorite player. Stay strong and fight hard. We are thinking of you.
GARY SO HAPPY TO HERE YOU ARE DOING BETTER BE STONG WE ARE WITH YOU ALLTHE WAY,HOPE TO SEE YOU IN CITI FIELD ONE DAY. GOD BLESS MIKE FROM LINDENHURST LONG ISLAND NEW YORK
i still have the picture you autographed for me for my birthday in 1987! i’ve got you in my prayers and believe in the strength that led to be a hall of famer can lead you to recovery!
I have very early pics of you as an Expo! I knew you would be a stud ballplayer someday and you’ve obviously surpassed that. You are quite the human being, gentleman and most of all one of Gods children. May God be with you and your family. Signed a longtime Metsfan.
Gary Carter – You are a champion like no other. You played the game with Heart and Grace. I wish you the best during this difficult time.
GARY….GOD BLESS, YOU WERE MY FAVORITE BALL PLAYER GROWING UP. YOU ARE IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS!! BE WELL… SENDING YOU A FIST PUMP!!
When you joined the Mets and Keith Hernandez in 1984, I was ecstatic! I couldn’t believe the Mets ‘got’ you :-). With Keith in the #3 position and you at #4, you formed the rock of the new team. Wishing you all the strength for a quick recovery
Get well Gary, thanks for the hours and hours of great baseball memories. Opening Day 1985 and of course 1986. We are pulling for you. Mike and Mikey Bruno
god bless you gary-when i was a little kid you were kind enough to send me an autographed photo with inspirational words-i remember how excited i was the day we traded for you-i had always admired the way you played the game-you are in my prayers every day-check out phillipians 4:13
I love number 8 and we share that same birthday in April. I never left my seat in mezzanine, section 10, with 2 outs and nobody on in game 6 when you delivered the base hit that started the rally to that World Championship in ’86. There was no quit then and I know you won’t quit now–you are a champion! Champions show courage when the chips are down and they never give in–I continue to believe in you and pray for you. God bless the “Kid” and my hero….Your true fan, Eli
Mr. Carter and Family,
May you have the strength and faith to cope with this unforturnate circumstance…
Israel, NYC
Loved watching you play…and now are rooting for you in your fight…Mike & Sandy
When teaching my young son to be a catcher, I often used you as an example of how to succeed both on and off the field. My son, now 24 yrs. old, went on to a division one baseball scholarship and is a solid citizen. I’m sure if he someday has a son, or daughter, he will repeat those lessons just like the many others you have inspired. Stay strong!
I was a huge Expos fan and you were my favorite player and then you got traded to to Mets so I became a New York fan. I was so happy when you won the World Series. Keep up the good fight …
James
Gary, My prayers and well wishes for you and your family during this time. When I think about some of my best childhood memories, It involves the Mets, more so 1986 which you were a huge part of. MVP IN MY BOOK
Get well Kid, keep battling like you did in game 6, you were a winner then and will be a winner now.
The Stand Up to Cancer is the one that got me… “My Catcher” umph! Praying for you Carter! Praying for a miracle, knowing the best is yet to come, hope you know that too!
I hope and pray that you feel better today and much better as each day passes. Go Kid!
Keep fighting Gary,our thoughts & prayers are with you
Gary. We were lucky to get you from the expos. You brought a winning way to New York.You were truly the elite catcher of the 80’s and also a real class act. I wish you well in your fight and know you will give it your all. My best wishes to you and your family.
Gary I hope you the best,. I remember you in my prayes. Keep the faith and good things will happen.
Eleanor
God bless, you were always entertaining to watch, even in St. Louis, I wish you the best, keep fighting and and kicking butt, God Bless a real class act