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 
In the words of the great Jim Valvano “Don’t give up, don’t ever give up”…
Keep fighting Gary!
Get well soon Gary. One of my earliest memories is watching the 86 series with my Dad. You can beat this. Praying you do all the time.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery, you are in my prayers. My favorite player of all time!
Get well soon Gary!
We are rooting for you Gary. Our prayers go out for you.
Gary, you played ball with my brothers, Brian, Rick and Lee Hutchins in Fullerton and I went to Fullerton Junior College with your wife and Carla Winslow. Our family wishes you well and you are all in our prayers.
Diann Hutchins Kozlowski
Praying for you, Mr. Carter.
Hang in there Gary, we love you!!!!
¡Go Gary hit a homerun!
A mexican expos fan
I had to post again. Hearing today’s news Gary, I had to post again. My lasting image of you will always be two things – 1) Your base hit off of Charlie Kerfeld bringing home Wally Backman to put the Mets up 3-2 in the ’86 NLCS and 2) As the camera panned from player to player on the field at Shea after the Mets won the World Series, there was you and Wally hugging and then who comes into the shot but Keith Hernandez. The two veterans brought in to take us over the top. The Mets were number 1 in 1986 Gary and you’ll always be number 1 in our hearts. Keep fighting! We love you Gary!
Gary, you and your family are in my heart and my prayers. You were the first baseball player that I cheered for and followed as a little girl in Winnipeg, Manitoba. I first watched you play for the Expos, and then followed you to the Mets, a team I still cheer for today. Praying for a miracle and thankful for the many gifts you’ve given your family, your community, and your sport.
Praying for you Gary…always a huge fan of yours and the way you played the game.
– Die hard Red Sox fan
Best of luck Kid. You were my favorite Met during your playing days and you provided us with so many great memories. And just like during your playing days we are all rooting for you.
Gary – I was 12 years old in ’86, watching game 6 on TV, my parents had given up and went outside. I didn’t give up on you then, and I won’t give up on you now. You are a bright spot in Mets history, and you continue to make us proud. God bless you and be with you and your family.
Gary –
Growing in Flushing in the 60’s, living off Seaver, Koos, Gentry & McAndrew – I thought noboby was better than Grote! So I was wrong… I remember your great days with the ‘Spos, loved your days with the Mets. I remember it like yesterday, sitting the parking lot, not daring to leave the car, listening to the openind day game in ’85 and your 10th inning GWHR. Knew great things were coming. The third game in Fenway – cut the lead in half. Game four – go long twice. Mookie’s game, not happening without you. Hang in there Kid. Know this is a tough time for you and your immediate family, know your extended family is pulling for you too.
Pete
KID, KEEP FIGHTING! SHOW THAT SPIRIT. WE ARE ALL IN YOUR DUGOUT, AND BEHIND THE PLATE WITH YOU. ALL MY PRAYERS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
Gary your in my families thoughts and prayers. you brought us Mets Fan much joy over the years. You are the reason my favorite number is 8. Get well soon, my son and I hope to see you next season out at Citi throwing the first pitch.
John Lennon said, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” Lennon was a part of my youth and so were you. And I’m grateful fot that. God bless you.
Hey Gary, you were the best player or NY METS. Our family is praying for you for your speedy recovery. Best memories of 86 World Series in Game 6 when you started rally with 2 outs in bottom of 9th inning & won the game.
That was the GREATEST!
Jon
You wore Yogi’s number, but you played in Queens instead of the Bronx; still, as a Yankee fan (growing up in Red Sox territory) I need to thank you for playing such a big part in one of my formative baseball memories: the ’86 World Series.
Best of luck to you, Mr. Carter. Be strong, be positive, and keep fighting.
Thinking of you Gary. You were my favourite Expo.
Gary:
I know you and your family are going through some tough times. Keep the positive faith and keep the positive attitude you have always had. You are truly a wonderful person and your family is lucky to have a person like you.
God will help you all through and remember all your fans and supporters you have are also praying for a speedy recovery.
You are always in my thoughts and prayers.\
Gary,
The Expos of the late 70’s were the reason I became a fan – but it was mostly my admiration of you. When I was five years old we had my entire bedroom wall painted with a scene of the “O” with you catching. It was incredible and remains one of the fondest memories of my childhood. Thirty-odd years later I’m still a rabid fan and your name is top of the list when discussing my all-time favourites. For what it might be worth… thanks for making such a difference in my life. I hope, in some small way, that proves validating for your own.
Wishing you peace, comfort, laughter and love.
Michael
Dear Gary,
You and your family are in our prayers; we are thankful and rejoicing that your hope is in Christ. May God’s love wrap around you and your loved ones. May they know His comfort and peace during these difficult days.
Thank you for your example and witness, Gary.
Gary I am a Red Sox Fan but that doesn’t matter it’s just a game, I know the good Lord is with you and you are a winner, try to keep your spirits up, we here will continue to pray for you and your family God Bless you we all are pulling for you. All the best Gary!!
Gary, I’m a huge Red Sox fan and I remember that my heart was broken in ’86’ but you were always still my fav MLB catcher, besides Rich Gedman of course (lol.) But more importantly my heart goes out to you and your Family and you will be in my thoughts and prayers. Good luck with everything!!!
Dear Gary… thanks for so many great METS memories. You are one of the grittiest never give up guys I ever saw play. Thinking of you and your family.
Gary-
I am 53 and have been a Mets fan since the beginning in 62. I have seen many Mets players come and go but none have had more class, style and talent then you. You always handled yourselve with such dignity. And of course you were such a big part of the miricle comeback in 86.
I had the pleasure to meet you on a 3 day cruise to the Bahamas about 15 yrs ago. You were with your wife and me with mine. We played blackjack together and watched cruise shows together. I was in awe of you but you invited me to sit with you and made me feel at ease. I will treasure that trip always. You gave me a signed special baseball card also.
So now I am praying for a miracle for you. As I am typing this I heard on the radio you have taken a bad turn. You are such a fighter and I just ask the Lord to find a miracle and bring you strength.
Thank you again for all the smiles and laughs you brought to me while you played and after.
Sincerely-
David Schulman
just joking about Scott, just wanted to make you laugh.
I have no words that could give as much tribute to Gary Carter than the way he has lived his life-I wish you all the best .Always a champ on and off the field .
Gary, I am the Met fan who left you a comment a moment ago. I also wanted to point out that taking into account all of your skills, all things considered, you were clearly a better all-around catcher than the great Mike Piazza. One other thing, I remember Mike Scott as a losing pitcher for the Mets and you were right – he scuffed the baseball.
Gary, I have been a Met fan since 1967 and I am a huge fan of yours. Not only were you an outstanding ballplayer with the heart of a lion and an unbreakable will to win, but you are also a complete class act. I never ever heard you criticize a teammate or talk out of line and you set a terrific example for all.I will never forget the game-winning home run you hit in your first game as a Met or your hit in the game-winning rally against the Red Sox in game 6 of the World Series.I believe that you were the acquisition that got the Mets over the hump and a critical stabilizing influence on that team. Gary, I understand you are going through a life-threatening battle with cancer. If anyone can beat this thing its you. My heart and hopes are with you. I look forward to seeing you in he booth as a special guest announcer in Spring Training on the Mets’ tv broadcasts this year. Best of luck Kid.
Gary—our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May the good Lord give you strength to perservere. You played baseball one way–all in–and i know you’ve been doing the same with this battle as well. You are class, and a great role model for our youth, and you always will be. God speed……Rob S.
Thank you Gary for all of the great memories. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
All of Canada is pulling for the best Montreal Expo to ever play.
And Gary, as a brother survivor, I understand your fight and know you’re giving it your all. Get well soon — we’ll never stop cheering for you.
Here, here!
A lot of people up here in Québec are pulling for you… Don’t give up…
And thanks for the memories…
Gary, you are and will always be my favorite Met. I’m sending up prayers for you and your family.
When I was a kid, you were the first player I remember disliking because you played for the other team, but liking because you played so hard and played to have fun. Watching the Mets play my Astros in 86, it just seemed y’all were having a blast! That is one of my best memories in my childhood. Not only watching that series, and the WS that followed, but getting to attend one of the NLCS games. I still have a home-run ball you hit in batting practice during BP of the first game in the Astrodome!
Best wishes to u and ur family Gary. U can beat this Kid just stay strong and determined like u were on the diamond…….
hello mr carter,
while you came up through montreal, once you put on the #8 for the mets in 1986, you became my favorite player. and still are. i even still have a folder (from elementary) school that served as your baseball card. i really still have it.
i can’t imagine what you’re going through, but please know that you’ve touched so many people with your play and now with your strength.
thank you sir.
You’re on my mind and in my heart. Best wishes to a great guy! ❤
Kid…. your the absolute best!
Thinking of you and your family and praying for you all. You are wonderful
God Bless You, Mr. Carter. Thoughts and prayers with you and your family.
Still my all time favorite baseball player. Thank you for everything Gary. Thinking about you.
Wishing you the very best my hero.
Unforgivable that Wilpon burys this on the website. I’m far more concerned for Gary than I am about the scrubs the Mets are picking up in order to finish in last. SHAME
prayers are out to GARY CARTER hope for the best your a power house you can bounce back . best wishes for the family.
Thinking of and praying for you Gary. You are one of the best.
Carter is a class act, best wishes and good luck.
Thinking of you and pulling for you. All the best, Gary.