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 
I feel an emptiness inside as if I’ve lost a member of my own family. To Mrs. Carter and his children my sincerest condolences. Thank you for sharing “The Kid” with all of us fans. He will be remembered forever for his playing ability, his heart, and his determination against the odds.
I have been a Met fan since I was four years old, and Gary Carter was one of my favorite players. I will forever remember his smile, the way he played the game gracefully, and his clutch hits. ‘The Kid’ will be missed… My heartfelt condolences to the Carter family, and I share in your sorrow.
My thoughts and prayers are with Gary’s family. He will always be remember as the amazing man that he was. An inspiration to his teammates and a positive role model to all that love the METS!!! I will never forget his role in winning the world series in 1986. May the memories you have help comfort you during this difficult time.
My condolences to the Carter Family. Gary was a great Met and a wonderful person. I have such fond memories of his time at Shea. I will also never forget the Mets Cruise in the ’80’s when the fans got to cruise some members of the team. Gary was wonderful, always available to the fans, be it signing autographs, taking pictures or just talking to everyone like you were his friend. RIP Gary, I know that Mets fans as well as baseball fans will miss you.
He was a Canadian legend and in the city of Montreal ranks amongst the greatest legends including Rocket Richard, Guy Lafleur and Jean Beliveau.
Above all he was all class and a kid at heart. RIP Kid!
Being a lifetime Mets fan, Gary Carter represented the re-birth of a Mets francise that suferred through very tough years before he got there. he was the heart and soul of the ’86 Mets and will always be a special part of the Mets family.
Today we lost a great baseball player and an even better person. Gary’s enthusiasm, encouragement, happy smile, generous giving of himself, and dedication to his family and charitable causes will be missed. I never had the privilege of meeting him, but my heart is breaking at his passing. My deepest condolences to his family and friends. RIP Kid
Thanks for the memories Kid. We will always treasure 1986 and the comeback you started in game 6.
So very sorry that the world has lost one of the good ones. Gary made all Mets fans excited every time he got behind the plate or up to bat. May God continue to bless and watch of his family and friends in this time of extreme sorry. You will be missed by all. Rest in peace and no more pain!
Were it not for the Kid, there would be no 1986 WS championship for the Mets. He played with a joy and intensity seldom seen today. He played the game the way it is supposed to be played. Forever loyal ,honest, and true to his friends, teammates,family, fans and his God, one of the Great Ones has passed. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. RIP Kid. Apiece of my heart has died with you today.
My favorite Met was Keith Hernandez, but without the Kid the Mets do not win the 1986 World Series. I’ll never get tired of watching Orosco and Carter embracing as we Finally won it all in 86!
Too bad he didn’t go into the Hall of Fame as a NY Met
To the Carter Family, I wish to offer you my heartfelt condolences, I met Gary after my back surgery and he was so nice to my husband and me, a true gentleman. You are all in my prayers.
I remember hearing the news on the Radio that the Mets had signed Gary Carter
I was so happy I had to pull over and call my best friend Alex , on a pay phone
Pre-cell phone era, with the news. I felt that we actually had a chance to compete. The rest was history as “The Kid” helped the Mets win it all in 1986.
God Bless you Gary Carter – you will forever be remembered for your great desire to play Baseball and that great smile:)
My first favorite baseball player. 4 years old, living in Ottawa. Went on to play college ball in the states and now coach a school team. Thanks for getting it started, Kid.
My condolences to the family! Gary was the greatest player in of his era, He played the game the right way,both on and off the field.I never played a pro game, but i tried to play my high school and lifes games as he did.He was truly a great man and i know he will be sadly missed. A truly great loss!
GARY CARTER will be missed by all.Rest in peace number 8.
RIP Gary aka THE KID A great classy guy with a smile I remember when the mets got him and on opening day and his first game as a met he won the game with a home run and of course got the big hit that made the mets stay alive in 1986 world series and eventually win it in game 7 I always watch that tape once again thank you Gary for the great memories god bless
To The CARTER family. You were blessed to have a guy who embodied the desire to live, the desire to give his all, the desire to be ‘THE KID’ his entire life. Gary Carter for me will never never be replaced. He was the kind of Hero we could be proud of all the time, a living legend. He is playing baseball now in heaven where he will never have to worry about cancer and lifes problems. Gary, you were and will always be a LEGEND of the highest order. We love you and may you rest in peace. Our warmest condolences to your entire family. Heaven has now received another Angel.
An adopted Canadian legend passed away today. Gary was a class act. Expos Nos Amour.
To the Carter family knowing what your going through my father is batteling brain cancer as well. Gary is a great man and in my eyes the best Mets player that ever wore that jersey. A player with heart and pride and most important with class.
God picked an All Star to play on his team.
Stay strong and god bless
Sad news to hear that Gary is no longer with us. He sure left his mark on baseball and on Mets fans. He was a great player whose tenacity and spirit helped propel the Mets to the 1986 World Series title. I remember listenign to that first game in 1985 on opening day when he hit that homer to win the game…amazing. I also remember the day that he was traded to the Mets. I was bummed at first that they gave up Hubie Brooks and Mike Fitzgerald among others, becasue they were two of my favorites at the time, but then when I realized just how much of an impact he’d have on helping to mold thw team and its great young pitching staff…I was ecstatic. Thnaks for the great memories, Gary…rest in peace.
I was raised going to see the Expos play in Montreal, a great baseball town if there ever was one when the game was a game and not strictly a business and when players like Gary Carter brought a contagious dynamism to the ballpark. When the Expos were one of the most exciting teams in baseball, it was laregly due to his leadership and great ability. He never refused to sign an autograph in a day when players started to get paid to do so at shows and stopped doing so at the park. Gary Carter will be missed and many of today’s players could learn from the way he respected fans. I only have fond memories of this greatest of all Montreal Expos! Longue vie à Gary Carter!
What a player!!!! My son’s true hero, his # has always been 8 because of the kid. Now Mets please retire this # to honor him.
Rest in peace, Gary. You have earned it. You were one the best. We still miss you.
Rest in Peace Gary Carter!
A Great Met!!!
A Goood Man!!
A Dad!!!
My most sincere and heartfelt condolences to Gary’s family. I will never forget spring training in St petersburg in 1986, when he took the time to pick up my 6 year old daughter who had picked up a baseball from him. He took the time to let me take his picture and sign the ball! She is now 30,and she still covets that picture and ball. As a Met fan since as far back as I can rember he stands out as the Greatest Met in my lifetime! I know he is in a better place and gone home. I and all your fans will miss your smile and zest for life! Rest in peace Gary !
ALMOST FORGOT!
The Mets as an organization are not one of the best in retiring numbers. Yes I know there is a Mets Hall of Fame that to be honest only Mets Fans really only know about. But Please Do the Right Thing Retire #8
to my earlier comment; favorite met all time; God Bless You!!! Best met I ever saw play!!!
Gary Carter was one of my most favorite players growing up. It was a pleasure when I met him when I was young and had Leukemia. He will be deeply missed. RIP!
RIP KID YOU gave me the best years of being a Mets fan…. We will never forget you…You are at a better place now you did not deserve to suffer.
“As a Mets Fan I am deeply sadden to hear this news. Gary was a great ball player.and cheered for him not only as a Met but even when he played for the Expos. I will never forget back in 1985 before the start of the season, I woke up one morning to learn that Gary Carter was going to become a Met. I was so thrilled He was a great addition to the Mets in the 80’s was one of the reasons why theyt Won in 866 and East Champs 88. Even at the end when the Mets Let him go I remember being devastated , Gary Carter Always seemed like a gentleman. Funny I almost forget. back in JUNE 86 My then Girlfriend s mom was working a party
for a catering company she knew I was a fan and asked Gary for a Autograph for me at the Time I was really sick nothing bad but Gary offered to go and visit me. Since by mistake he thought I was in the hospital sick. She cleared up the confusion but still gave me a autograph 8×10 . I still treasure it to this day. One funny side story though I have the cocktail napkin from that party and they say on it CHAMPS 1986 Funny it said that since it was only June at the Time. Gary You will be missed thanks for the memory and be at peace.”
With tears in my eye RIP Gary. Thanks for all the joy and 86. You are what all baseball players should be, a many playing a “kids” game and enjoying it. With respect, Mike
Gary Carter was one of my mother’s favorite met. She is gone now too but I have a doll of hers that she called Gary Carter. Also my family and I wish to send our condolences to the Carter family at this difficult time.
Being a catcher growwing up I always admired Gary’s talents. Being a Met fan, I loved that he was a Met. Was at Opening day 1985 at Shea when he took Neil Allen deep in the 10th. RIP and may God bless you Gary ! You are truly one of the greats!!
We’ll miss you Gary. RIP, A class act hall of famer, one of my faves. One of the all time great catchers.
This one really hurts. RIP Gary. My sympathies and condolences go out to the Carter family as well as all of us in the Mets family. He touched us all. Was at game five of the ’86 NCLS and watched Gary literally “will” that 12th inning single out of the infield to win the game. In these days of big business baseball, players like him are a rare breed. I will truly miss him, but thank him for such great memories. Its a shame he wasn’t allowed into the Hall as a Met, as he wanted it to be. Maybe someday.
One of the greatest Mets ever!!!! Never forget the smile and energy he brought to them… Mad you proud to be a fan…Sad to hear he lost his fight.. He’ll be missed!!!
RETIRE HIS # 8!!
Gary Carter was one of my all-time favorite NY Mets. He will forever be in my memories. My condolences go out to his entire family. Number 8 will be missed.
Being a Met Fan for 40+ years there have been some pretty lean years……Kid when you came to town, the excitement you brought to the club was beyond words. On the first day you came to town I told all the Yankee fans… The Mets are gonna win the World Series! …………… Your handling of young pitchers during a game of not letting them implode, knowing when to reach out to them and settle them down is a talent that many catchers don’t have; yet you did it effortlessly and they trusted you. Your professionalism was beyond words, you knew just when to sell a corner pitch for that called called Third Strike. ……….I will forever remember you as one of the cleanest players the game has ever known. May God bless you Gary “KID” Carter
MY FAVORITE ALL TIME MET!!! BOTTOM LINE!!! RIP “KID” GBU
I was 4 months when he played his last game with the Montreal Expos in September 27th 1992…
RIP Gary Carter
Gone far too soon. THAT, my friends, was a ball player.
Thanks for all the Amazin’ days, Kid
To Sandy and her family, my deepest and heartfelt condolences. I am a Montrealer and can not imagine what the Expos and Montreal would have been like without Gary. He was a true gentleman, competitor and a role model not only for baseball players but for all youngsters growing up in the 80`s.
To the NY Mets, many thanks for including a photo of Gary in an Expos uniform on your page; a truly classy organization.
I got to meet him when I was 4 on the field in the summer of 86 the oldest memory i got of being at a mets game I still remember his smile and still have that photo on my wall to this day
You were the best; see you later, Love Bruce
My baseball hero.. Nicest guy in baseball.. Miss ya kid.
Even though I was a Met fan, Gary was one of my favorite players when he was an Expo. When he came to the Mets I was overjoyed, and he helped the Mets win the championship. RIP to a great player and great man
One of my favorite Mets of all time. RIP Gary Carter aka The Kid
One of the greats. A sad day for baseball. Mets – please retire his number.
One of my favorite Mets of all time. RIP Gary Carter aka The Kid!
To the Carter family, heartfelt condolences. He was our hero as we’re sure he was yours. We wish you comfort during this difficult time.