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 
Dear Gary,
My parents started taking me to watch the Mets the minute I could go. I was six when the Mets won the world series and my family went to many games that year. We would participate in the sign competitions before the games to get better seats. But even from the nose bleeds and even as a 6 year old, you were my favorite player. I talked about you all day and I knew everything about you. I used to sign all my cards with “With love, Heather Marie Carter”. But unfortunately, New Kids on the block came out shortly after that and you didn’t stand a chance next to Joey McIntyre. But I still followed you throughout your career. I always admired your determination, motivation, drive and love of the game. You never gave up. You were the glue that kept that team together. You pushed through every inning even when it got rough. Your were my role model growing up and still continue to be. I’ve always tried to have the same determination and strength you have ALWAYS had. With that I have gone on to receive two degrees, win season 2 of FOX’s Hell’s Kitchen, have an amazing passion for my career and I will always love the game. Recently I was going through a tough time and my father said “Think about Carter. Look at him. Look at the all the cards he’s been dealt and he still pushes through. Just think of him”. And he was right. We all have a little Carter in all of us. That drive to get through the next inning. I will always be a Mets Fan, but I’m first and foremost a Gary Carter Fan. Keep the faith and I know you’ll get through this. I pray for you everyday and will continue to do so. With all my love, Heather West
Gary’s daughter Kimmy regularly updates his status and allows for comments and prayers at caringbridge.org and password(thekid8). This is a great location to send him well wishes that he is likely to read in addition to this wonderful site. God bless you Gary Carter. Jordan Walling
Gary,
thanks for the memories and your efforts! Praying for you and your family!
Gary,
Another life long Mets fan here wishing all the best for you and a fast recovery. I always admired the way you played the game and represented the great game of baseball. Thank you for the many great childhood Met memories. I know you will beat this obstacle, you have many people rooting for you! God Bless!
Godspeed Gary and I hope you enjoy a great Holiday season with byour family!
Gary,
You are my all time favorite player and will always be. Every year I watch the dvds of the 86 Mets. I will always remember the game in Boston where you rounded 2b and went back and you stood there clapping your hands with a big smile!
And most of all, when the Mets were down to the last out you came to the plate.
My favorite team was down to the last out…I was sad…and then you came to the plate and I remember praying for you to get a hit….not so much for the win, but I couldn’t handle my favorite player making the last out too…it would have been too much for a kid. I learned something that day…..never give up!! I pray that you get better and come back to coach the Mets someday!!! The Mets need someone like you to show them how to play the game “The Kid way”
Get better soon….you mean a lot to more people than you will ever know.
Andy
Hang in there, Mr. Carter! All of us Mets fans are thinking of you and your family.
Believe and have faith.
Blessed are those who believe without seeing.
Everything is possible for him who believe.
Best wishes Gary.
Gary,
From a fellow cancer patient, my thoughts and prayers are with you. It’ll be tough at times, but try to keep your usual upbeat, positive attitude, should help you with the fight of your life.
Dear Gary, As a lifetime Mets fan you have given my family and myself many great memories. The most memorable thing about you was your indefatigeable smile and positive attitude. You have a wonderful Christian heart which has been an inspiration to me and many baseball fans around the country. You are in my prayers my friend. God bless you.
Gary – it has been years since that amazing series, but the legend continues. Your leadership and inspiration on the Mets continue to drive fans and players today. May that power and the prayers of all of us give you strength and courage. And may God bless you on your latest journey.
I’ve been praying for you ever since I heard the news. You were my favorite player on the Mets in those years, and I know that your strength and determination will see you through, just like it did then.
You gave so much to us, here’s hoping you feel a little of the love back.
God bless, Gary.
You are my favorite player of all time, and were an inspiration of character for me from childhood to the present day. God bless you and your family, and never lose hope.
Gary, I’m from Panama, you have many fans here in this country, my older brother and I are diedhard mets fan,we always remembered the wonderful 1986 mets team, and also you as the truly captain and slugger of that team. GOD BLESS YOU FOREVER man, thanks to play with the mets and be the best catcher ever exist in the MLB.
May God bless you and your family for your positive impact on the
youth of the United States and Canada
Dear Mr. Carter,
May your Faith guide you through this difficult time. It is a long journey, but not an insurmountable one. Your loyal and dedicated fans like me have you and your family in our prayers and wishing you a fast and thorough recovery. Be positive and know that the team you were on were not called the “Miracle Mets” for nothing…God Bless and continue to be strong.
Gary,
I want to thank you for all that you have done for the team.
I am thinking and praying for you!’
Gary-
Being born in 1986, I never got to enjoy your heroics with the Miracle Mets but I’m convinced that being born just months before the series, it was my destiny to be a diehard Met fan for the last 25 years. You were an inspiration playing the game and a much loved voice in the booth. Just as we rooted for you on the field, we’re rooting for you to make a speedy recovery.
Gary,
I grew up a Yankees fan, but always considered you an inspiration and role model for playing the game and enjoying every second. You’re the man, kid. Get well – we love you.
Bryan
You are the heart of the 1986 METS…Sending prayers for strength for you and your family. Positive thoughts…Positive results!
Gary
I’m not a Met Fan but a fan of you as a ballplayer and man. I wish for your full recovery and more happy years with your family and friends
Gary, I grew up in St. Louis a Cardinal fan. In the spring of 1969, after St. Louis lost the 1968 World Series to the Detroit Tigers, I started rooting for the Mets. Needless to say, I wasn’t disappointed that year. Although I must admit that the Cardinals have been my favorite team since 1982, my second favorite will always be the Mets. I can’t count how many times I heard this year’s World Series Game 6 compared to yours in 1986. I am proud to say I watched both of those history-making games as they happened on TV. The 1969 Mets team taught me the concept NEVER GIVE UP, and your performance in 1986 cemented that idea in my head forever. Don’t give up man!! We love you!!!
I rooted for you when I was 14. Now I’m 50 and I’m rooting for you all over again.
Be well, Gary.
Gary – as a kid, I always admired your leadership and the example you set for your teammates in Montreal and New York. Although I’m a lifelong Reds fan, I really dug those Mets teams of the mid-80s. You talked big and backed it up. Johnny Bench is the best of all time, but you were DEFINITELY the best catcher of your era and are a Hall of Famer as a man, not just as a ballplayer. God bless you and your family.
Gary, I was in the stands with my mother that magical October evening with everyone around me crying, I had faith in you even then, when with three balls and two strikes you started the rally of the century….you did it then, do it now! you are a special man Gary Carter and you will always be…..THE KID !!! My prayers are with you and your family during your ultimate challenge. Chuck F.
Gary,
I’ve met you the last two years as I am the Florida Tech basketball and baseball announcer. You signed a photo for me this past spring of the time you hopped on Jesse Orozco after the final out of the 86 World Series. That proudly hangs on the wall in my bedroom. I just talked to your daughter Kim last week while I was down at Palm Beach Atlantic broadcasting on back to back nights for the Florida Tech women and men. As I said to her and as I’m saying to you: Best wishes for a safe and speedy recovery and I hope to see you in the next two or three months for another baseball season with the Sailfish as you battle Florida Tech.
Sincerely,
J.C. Meyerholz
Florida Tech Sports Announcer &
Devoted Met Fan since 1971
Dear Gary. Growing up in Ottawa and New York…of course you were my hero! Please get better soon! My wife and I are thinking of you and wishing you good thoughts!
El Espiritu Santo anda y vuele contigo, Skipper. I think of you daily. We spent some great conversations, Gary. You were an awesome manager of many unique ballplayers.
I will keep asking the Holy Spirit, every single day, to give you strength and health. You were the Miracle Man in ’86 and you will continue to be El Hombre Milagroso in 2016! We
are counting on you, Gary! Los Mets still need you, Good Man! Dios te Bendiga!
larry stockman
I am praying and asking for blessings for you Gary. Your smile and talents gave us so much joy, be well. With much love and thankfulness.DV.
Lifelong Expos fan here. God Bless you Gary, get well soon!
Best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery. I’m sure the winning attitude and positive outlook that you’ve always had, and which I’ve always admired, along with the support of your family, friends and many fans and your love of God will get you through this. You are in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless you and your family.
Get Well soon God Bless you!
Get Well Soon Gary!!! It was a privilege growing up and watching you play. I’ll always remember the Opening Day Home Run in ’85 and the base hit in the tenth inning of GAME SIX!!!! God Bless You and Your Family!!!!
Best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery, and a great Holiday season!
Gary:
I wish a speedy recovery to one of the best if NOT THE BEST Catchers that the Mets ever had…
Gary we hope to see u at citi field better known as Shea StadIum field of dreams
Gary u de man get better soon god bless u
you can do it gary you’re a amazing man and deserve to get through get this
God bless you Gary. You were an awesome catcher. Never to be forgotten. Brooklyn love you, and so do I. Get well
Ruthie
Hey Gary, got you in my thoughts. You were a hero to me as a young Expos fan. I remember doing a project at school about what I wanted to be when I grew up, and of course I put baseball player, and used a picture of you from our newspaper after you’d hit a grand slam. I know you have the strength to get through this! Take care, Chad
All of Canada is pulling for you Gary…hang in there
Gary, Growing up you were one of my heroes. Im praying for your speedy recovery ….. Get well soon !!
Gary,
Glad to hear you are doing better. I wish you a speedy recovery and may you be blessed with good health and be able to be part of the Mets organization again. Thanks for the memories and being the great leader of those great Mets Teams.
Gary, Thank you for all the memories you provided us during your years as a Met. I pray for your health to get better. I know the Lord will heal and remove all your pain. God Bless You.
Keep fighting, big guy, you are too young to die. Hope to see you at Citifield next summer.
Hey Gary, We here from Puerto Rico wish you a great recovery. You have always been a fighter and we know this won’t be the exception. Keep the faith on God and he will lead you. Take care buddy.
Gary, Get well soon buddy. You are the reason I played baseball so hard. I played each game like you did, show up early, play hard, practice late. I came to see you get inducted into the hall of fame and cried a tear when they announced you finally made it, because I was so happy for you. I wish a speedy recovery Gary you are and always will be the Great 8. Stay strong.
Gary, I just want to wish you a speedy recovery. I know you can beat this. Have faith in the Lord. He works miracles. You have always been my favorite catcher. I remember sitting behind home plate and cheering you back in the 80’s at Shea Stadium. I love your smile! Wishing you all the best, Diana