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,
Your faith is tremendous and can move mountains. I am the principal of a Catholic school in RI and I am having all the kids and adults in our school pray for you.
Don’t ever forget that you are a “Miracle Met” in more ways than one.
May God bless you and may Our Blessed Mother keep you under Her protective mantle always.
Enrico
Wishing you the best
I remember the first game you played as a Met when you hit a homer in extra innins to win the game. Then led the Mets to the 86 World Series. Keep up the fight and God bless, Gary.
You are in hour prayers keep fighting Gary.
Forever “The Kid”!! Thank you being the missing piece to our Championship puzzle! Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you battle this ugly disease!
You are the reason I played catcher during my “career”. I wish you and the family all the best and hope for a speedy recovery.
GET WELL SOON GARY WE NEED YOU BACK WITH THE METS ORGANAZTION. GET WELL SOON GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
Get Well Soon,Kid. God Bless You and your Family.Elmer J.Graham Jr.,Keyport,N.J.
Gary our prays are with you keep fighting
GARY!!!
I would say you might be one of the best that ever played baseball
GET WELL
PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS ARE WITH U
Hi, Gary! You’ll always be special in the hearts of Mets fans!
May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the Lord lift his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Steve
Get Well Gary!
As you and your family face this trial, remember to lean on Jesus Christ. Thank you for the years you gave to the Mets organization. I will always treasure the 1986 season. I will continue to pray for you and your family.
Rev. Angel Rivera
Think Big, Gary!
I was jealous of you from 1981 to 1984 , but from ’85’ to now You have been my number # 1 idol , You have real heart , you have real emotions to your swagger and most of all you got the all time greatest smile !! We love you and wish you well !
Gary,
We all wish you the very best for a full recovery. You’ve always been one of our favorites. My daughter still talks about, when she was a very little girl, that she and I went to a game together and met you upstairs in the restaurant area of Shea. You could not have ben more gracious and attentive to her. You signed her ball, gave her a big smile and your huge hand just engulfed her tiny one. Thanks for the way you played the game and the way you’ve always conducted yourself as a person. Be Well.
The Greenes
Sandy Hook, Ct
Hi Mr. Carter.
I attend a school on the upper east side and just heard a very funny story that my teacher told me in chapel. It was about how during the 86 winning season my teacher, his dad, and Grandpa saw you and other players at a diner. They went over too you and others and his dad said to his grandpa it’s Gary Carter. He was amazed. He really wanted to see you so he put on his glasses and stood up in the light to see you. You didn’t mind how long it took him. They were all so happy that they saw you and you were also probably happy that they were. I hope you get much better and I will keep you in mind and tell my friends too also. Feel Better
Sincerely,
Michael Hirsch
God be with you. Thanks for the Mets and Expos memories. Expos were great. I miss them.
As a long time Mets fan, I never thought we would have a team as good as my beloved 68 Mets and Tom Seaver! When you were traded to the Mets, I cannot begin to tell you how excited I was and then when you hit your first home run to win the opening day game, I was running around the office like a crazy person. When my now husband and I decided in 1985 to get married in 1986, I already had a 86 calendar and checked the dates when the playoffs would take place and the World Series, threw in a few extra days in case of any rainouts and found my wedding date of November 8, 1986, long after the WS would be over! You were the reason behind that winning team – I know you say it was a team effort, and yes, it was, but with your leadership, positive attitude and always looking ahead is what got that team there and those same qualities will get you through this as well. And no one has a smile like yours! I had the privilege of meeting you at the Somerset Patriots Ball Park a few years ago and after you signed my Patriots ball you gave me that smile – oh what a smile you have! When a young girl only had a major league baseball item for you to sign (which you wouldn’t) you went and got something to sign for her and came out of the dug out looking for her.
Gary, keep smiling and keep that positive, determined attitude of yours and you will make it through this difficult time. Please know that there are thousands of people, not just us crazy Mets fans, but thousands, praying for you and your family for a full recovery.
I would like to extend my best wishes to you and your family for a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. I had the pleasure of meeting you at Olympic Stadium in 1977 when I worked there while attending high school. You were always generous with your time and were loved by the Montreal fans. Keep well.
As a lifelong Met fan, I must say that some of my fondest memories are of spending time at Shea or in our converted basement/playroom watching you and the Mets with my Dad and my 3 brothers. I’m one of the few women you will meet who can name the starting 9 Mets from ’69. You were a pleasure to watch play. But even more wonderful to hear interviewed. Always humble of your great talent, appreciative of your your many fans, and willing to give back to the community.. Thank you for all the wonderful memories. God bless you and your family.
Trish, Connecticut
I am not a baseball fan, but i do want to thank you for your work enabling literacy. Because you continue to try to help others live well, yours is a life well lived.
– From Prince Edward Island, Canada
I hope you don’t mind me suggesting this, but this M.D. is doing some excellent work in the area of brain cancer. Please check it out and give him a call http://www.burzynskiclinic.com/
I wish you all the best and I hope for you the speediest of recoveries.
Dear Gary, I had the pleasure of meeting you in Sarasota Fla in 1985, You were such a gentlemen as I thanked you for an autograph, you replied God Bless you. I”ll never forget that. I know your strong christian faith will carry you thru this season. I am thankful and confident for your recovery, In JESUS name!
Mr. Carter, I know you are a very private and humble man, especially when it comes to your family. I want to extend an offer to a home made Italian dinner to you and your family if and when you ever find yourself in Las Vegas, Nevada. It would be my proud beaming moment to bring the smile a a full belly to your face as you did for me during the 1986 World Series. Please, take me up on this offer.
Good Luck, Kid! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I’ll never forget that night in ’86 – Game 6 all hope was lost, 2 outs and no one on base – YOU started that rally! YOU lead us in the most improbable and most dramatic comeback in World Series history. We know YOU still have that great fighting spirit and wish YOU well on your road to recovery. God Bless!
Best wishes Kid and thanks for the memorable moments. I had the pleasure of meeting your at an event in the city and made sure I reserved the sweet spot on the ball for your signture. May God Bless You and Your Family. Ya Gotta Belive!!
My heart goes out to you and your family. Thank you for the memories. You and Keith were my favorites. A tear comes to my eye as I type this. I just wish there was something I could do to help.
God Bless
Bryan
best wishes great met even a greater man thoughts and prayers with you
I had the honor of meeting you as a Fantasy Camper several years back. You were a true gentleman, taking the time to reminisce with me about game 6 of ’86.
Thanks for all you have given to the game, and best of luck with your treatments.
Rich (Buzz) Bergen
Our familys deepest thoughts and prayers to you and yours. Your 12th inning game 5 hit took place on our honeymoon. We knew you would come through that afternoon and no matter what your future holds please know that someone somewhere is always thinking and believing for you. God bless you kld
Gary I hope and wish you the best I met you with my sons many times and you were always wonderful with the children good luck
Never give up…just like game 6!
You’re a true Champion, Gary – and you will win THIS series, as well! You’ve always been a true hero, on and off the field. Every summer my family would drive from San Antonio to Houston, to root for you and our Mets play the Astros. You’ve always been great to your fans, and I cherish the signed ball I got as a little girl, thanks to your willingness to acknowledge fans. Best wishes to you and yours always, and know from NYC to places like San Antonio you have fans whose life has been made better by your generosity.Now, we send that magic right back at you, Kind Sir!
Hi Gary I had the pleasure of meeting you in Wall Twp. NJ at the dedication of kid field. I also took pictures for you, one in particular that I sent to you, I hope you received it. I also have a picture with you pitching to my son then posing with him and his cousin. You are and always will be a class act, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, good luck and God Bless, John B
Gary, I live in England and have been a Mets fan since the early eighties. I have seen you in the flesh at Shea but I watched the ’86 world series on English television. What a thrill! I cannot tell you how much I have admired your play and your spirit as a human being. We are thinking of you in England.
Mr. Carter, your the best. Thank you for playing in New york, and always giving 110% effort.
Keep fighting, good guy. Every day that you wake up alive is a victory.
I want wish you the best of luck! Also I just wanted to tell you that You were one of my favorite catcher that was on the mets. So best of luck to you. My prays are with you and your family!!
All my friends were Yankee fans, but I used to turn on WWOR and watch Gary and the Mets! Thanks for all the great childhood memories! You were my favorite player on Nintendo’s RBI Baseball (despite your “E” speed rating). You made me a true Mets fan and now I’m raising my two second generation fans in that tradition. We are rooting for you Kid!
Hope this holiday season finds you doing better. You were (are) one of my daughter’s heroes. She loved the way you played the game and your wonderful attitude and great smile! She was a catcher in high school and in college and played many ASA games catching. Watching her play with intensity and her great love of the game, I was always reminded of you. Thanks for your inspiration! Keep fighting we all still love you!
Our entire family continues to root and pray for a very special man and player who exemplifies all that is good in baseball and humanity. The hours of joy you have brought to me, our family and your countless fans will be cherished for years. Our beloved 1986 world champion Mets would never have been crowned without your championship level play, strong desire to win and excellent leadership. May you be blessed with God’s healing power and may you continue to be loved by him and your loyal fans for all time.
BTW:We would sure love you on the 2012 Mets. With the new dimensions, you’d be good for about 40 HRs.
SAS
gary our prayers are with you and your family,i hope you are doing well and wish you the best. merry christmas to you and your family,hope to see you one day at citi field.god bless mike from long island and pt st lucie fl
You brought a level of enthusiasm to the game which was as great as your skills and work ethic. You made it fun.
Gary,
It was a pleasure meeting you not just in my heart but also in person. I was the fellow who was shot in the head. I met you in York Pa. I shared my story with you and you gave prayer to me….it was the best gift an Idol I love so much could do but didn’t have to! Not to mention you retired my catcher mit with me and also gave me a baseball HOF card with a bible scripture written on it…… I wish you well and nothing but the best for a guy with the biggest heart…..I am always thinking of and all the special things that you made us beleive not just me but all the great students that looked up to you…….Best Wishes & God Bless , and your picture will always have place on my wall.
I was 14 years old and with my Dad when we heard the news you were coming to the Mets. I was a cather in Little league and I tried to imitate your catching and hitting styles. We loved watching you play in N.Y. and will never forget that magical 86 Series. We wish you and your family the best. Our prayers are with you!
Gary
I still remember what I was doing on Dec 10-the day you were traded to us. I was so excited to have been receiving the best catcher in the game. You were a great ball player and a awesome role model to youngsters all over. A great team player and someone who helped in bringing back pride to the Blue and Orange. God bless you and may you find peace and good health in 2012.
From the time you were with the Expo’s and then with the Mets you became my son’s idol. We came to visit at the Expo’s training camp in Florida and you saw me walking with my son (about 4 years old at the time) and you picked him up without us asking you too and said take a picture, which I did and had developed. He kept that picture on his wall and then you won the World Series and he and I came into Manhattan (he was about 10 or 11) and you signed it for him. You said to him that he had gotten big since the picture had been taken….what a great comment! You made his day and mine. We wish you a speedy recovery and our thanks for being a great baseball player but more than that a great person!
The best seats I ever had at Shea were in the third row, right near Nelson Doubleday’s box, back when Gary was with the Expos. There was a pop up hit right towards us. The man in front of me reached for it, but I heard the loud pop of a glove, as Gary reached into the stands and made the catch. I will never forget the intensity in his face. I know that same determination will help you fight this. All the best Gary.