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 
When I was 4, Gary Carter was the first Mets player I ever knew by name and could recognize. When I saw the neon catcher on the side of Shea Stadium, I always thought it was him.
Thanks for all the thrills, kid.
I will always remember listening to his first game as a Met on my way home from a doctor’s appt. His determination to win endeared him to me as one of the greatest Mets I ever saw. I am deeply saddened by his passing and extend my deepest sympathies to his family. You will be missed.
I am not a baseball fanatic. I am not a hockey, basketball or football fanatic either. However I do enjoy watching every sports be it professional or amateur level.
Gary Carter is tops in my book, every sports considered. An unforgettable smile. Unforgettable passion and love for his game, unforgettable respect for his fans. You are forever a true great Montrealer, and it showed you loved it here, and in return, the people had adopted the ”kid’ with unrestrained pride.
Today, everywhere, Montreal is celebrating your life with both sadness and pride. You have inspired so many here. Thank you for sharing your passion with us Gary – et merci pour tout – bon repos, tu l’as bien mérité.
I would like to pay my respects in memory of the late great Gary Carter. He was truly a leader and one of the best clutch players in baseball history. I always considered him one of my favorites as did my sister Stacy. My condolences to the Carter family as well as the Mets family. R.I.P. Kid you will be missed.
God bless you
It was grea to get a chance to get to know the “Kid”, even a little. True class! Thanks for the memories.
The world lost one of it’s great role models. I had the pleasure of meeting Gary at a field dedication to him in Wall Twp, New Jersey. He didn’t just talk the talk he walk the walk. A man commited to his faith had love for the people and his game. God Bless you, retire #8 NOW!
I grew up in Montreal–“The Kid” was always my favourite Expo. Even to his last game, in 1992, he never lost the youthful enthusiasm that characterized his play and his life in general. When he was diagnosed with this evil, insidious disease, I thought that if any could beat it, Gary Carter could. Even now, it still seems impossible that he didn’t. This is a tremendous loss to the cities of Montreal and New York, and of course to the Carter family. My heart goes out to them.
Gary Carter was my first favorite player. I started following baseball during the ’86 world series and the Mets became my team. Gary was still in his prime and was a huge part of that championship. He was a great player, person, and was a devout christian a generation before Tim Tebow made it cool. Rest in peace Kid, you will be missed. Go Mets.
Rest in peace to one of my childhood heroes. Your smile will shine on eternally.
May your family find peace and comfort at this difficult time.
I did not play like him. He played exactly like me at the ball park with my friends. He had the exact same joy to reach first base as i did. Just wish i could reach the stars as he did so often and be as open and honest about the pure pleasure of being chosen to live life at it`s fullest. A greater athlete than most will ever be ,a simple man working hard and enjoying his challenges.
My sympathies goes to the entire Carter familly and to all that understand what he meant.
Merci Gary !
I met Gary at a card show with my then 11 year son. what a gentleman he was, Talking to all the kids and making them feel important. When my son wanted the autograph personilized , Gary said yes, my son couldn’t remember how to spell his own name, the following year we brought a camera, Gary had my son sit on his knee while I took the picture. Rest in peace to a class indiviual, I’ll never forget you.
Retire number 8 and bring some class back to our team.
WOWW Hard TO BELIEVE this great guy ..is gone, coming from a fan of a team that usually opposed him, he ALWAYS Had my respect when he played the Atlanta Braves , he ll be missed…i always get VERY SAD when the greats pass on…..WHAT A TEAM GOD HAS IN HEAVEN…….GARY CARTER IS NOW THERE ….GOD BLESS YOU GARY AND THANKS FOR GREAT MEMORIES
My condolences to the Carter family. Gary Carter is why today I am still a Mets fan. I remember my Dad telling me about the great catcher the Mets were getting, later I asked him if that was the guy and the he hit that homerun on that first game! Today is a very sad day for me… Thank you for the memories Gary you will be missed.
The old cliche, that the world just lost one of the greatest. In this case it is true. The Kid was one of the greatest in MLB history. He played the game just like the nickname, and always smiled. You couldn’t help but feel good watching Gary play baseball. Look at the expression on his face after he hit the double for his last hit. He will truly be missed and his impact on the game will never be forgotten.
OMG what a week, one of the truly great catchers of all time is gone, so many memories, so little time, RIP kid
Thanks for all “kid “, i will never forget you!!!
C’était toi le meilleur, je n’oublierai jamais ton sourire, ta joie sur le terrain, ta passion et ta détermination merci .
Gary was my all time favorite ballplayer. I remember waiting for him to hit that elusive #300 home run….luckily they were on TV in Delaware when he accomplished that goal playing against the Chicago Cubs. I played the position because of him and did numerous halloween’s as “#8.” He was an awesome baseball player and person. Big loss for MLB, the Mets, but more importantly a huge loss for his family. Godspeed Carter family!
I had the pleasure of meeting Gary Carter a few years ago at a autograph signing @ Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City, Long Island. I took my son & two nephews & they each got a 8×10 picture signed by Gary, They also took individual pictures with him!! He was a perfect Gentleman & a Class Act!!! I also remember the 86 world series like it was yesterday!! Gary, You were a True Mets Icon, May You REST IN PEACE & FLY WITH THE ANGELS!!! My Thoughts & Prayers are with The Carter Family During this Most Difficult Time!!!
I came a generation too late to watch Carter play, but after reading what I have about him over the years, I have a faint idea of what it was like to see him play. All I can say is that it sounds like I really missed out. You seem like you were truly an excellent baseball player, and an excellent person, who played the game right. Rest in peace, Mr. Carter. And condolences to your survivors.
Although I’m a little young to remember Carter’s legacy with the Expos and the ’86 Mets World Championship team, as a baseball lover and history buff, I’m extremely sad with the passing of “The Kid”. Gary was one of the greats of the game since being drafted in 1972 and finishing his career in ’92. I’m surprised it took Gary six years after his retirement to be enshrined in Cooperstown, but the moment finally came in 2003. I wish everyone in baseball played with the passion that Carter brought to each and every game. He was a wonderful person on and off the field and a true gentleman in all aspects of the word. Gary Carter, you will be sorely missed.
R.I.P. “Kid”
Growing up a Mets fan Gary Carter was my favorite player. I even wore #8 one season to because of him. Ironically my team was the Red Sox. I still have my old #8 Carter Mets jersey that I wore proudly as a kid. Growing up in Alabama I would have to see the Mets when they came to Atlanta. In 1986 the game I attended was rained out in the top of the 1st and when I returned in 1987 Gary had the day off. I finally got to see him play in 1988 and for that I’m very thankful. My heart goes out to his family, friends, and fans. I really appreciate all he did in the game of baseball but more importantly I appreciate him being an excellent role model for kids such as my self to look up to.
I’m not usually phased by celebrity passings. Hearing the news about Gary Carter was different. I never knew him, and he never knew me, but I am saddened as if it were a member of my own family who’s left us. I was 9 years old in 1986 and a huge baseball fan. Growing up on Long Island, a Mets fan of course. I still look back at that period as a time when all was right in my little world. You never gave up. You inspired us all to believe. Thank you Gary. I will never forget you. Either will my family. Our hearts go out to your family today.
My deepest condolences to the Carter family.
Though too young to remember watching the World Series live in ’86 I have seen enough replays and read enough to be truly grateful for the championship that you heartily contributed to bringing to the Mets franchise and the intangibles and leadership that you brought every day to a young team. Thank You Gary for everything You did for the game of baseball and the world as a whole. Today we lost a great player and great human being. You went way too soon. You’ll forever be in the hearts of many Mets fans, baseball fans, and many others that you touched in countless ways. They’re waiting for you on that corn field in Iowa. Give em hell Kid!!! Rest in peace
We will miss you Gary. You always played the game the way it is supposed to be played with a smile and giving it your all on every pitch. You are the reason I played catcher in little league and one of the reasons I loved and still love the Mets. Thank you for 86, without you it would never of happened. God Bless you and my thoughts and prayers to you and tour family.
You were the best of all time Kid. It was because of you that I have a passion for baseball. You brought the Expos to the verge of the World Series, and I was devastated when you left Montreal. But I was always a fan. You are the greatest catcher of all time.
I live in Belgium and was really sad to read this. Sincere condolences to Gary’s family.
Rest in Peace !!
With love and prayers, rest in peace.
Gary, I’ll always remember your total joy at the end of Game 7, your attitude, your fierceness. Condolences to your family. We’ll never forget you.
RIP , Kid……you were awesome…
This coming from a Braves fan who always admired how hard you played the game
MIs condolencias para la familia Carter y tambien mis oraciones. Como olvidar ese titulo de 1986 del cual el fue parte. R.I.P
Mis condolencias para la familia Carter. como olvidar ese titulo de 1986 de el cual es fue parte importante para los Mets . Que en paz descanse. My condolences to the Carter family.
Merci M. Carter!
Votre trop court passage à Québec nous a obligé, moi et ma famille, d’aller vous voir jouer plus souvent qu’autrement à Montréal.
Toutes mes condoléances à la famille.
The miracle of 1986 doesn’t happen without the guts, determination, skill and heart of the great Gary Carter. A dream cleanup hitter and catcher that was the best in Met history at both. Thank you for memories that are as rare as they beautiful. My heart goes out to the Carter family. May Gary’s memory be for a blessing
Very sad day.
Gary, you are my boyhood hero – and the singular reason of why I love the game of baseball so very much. What a genuinely profound impression you made on a young, awkward but fiercely Amazin’s loyalist. My favorite player on my favorite team – I was a catcher, too.
You were a much larger man than you were a HOF player – and that says a lot. Thank you.
You will be so very, very missed.
I usually don’t get sad over celebrity deaths, but this one is tough. I used to watch Carter play against my Cardinals, and even though I was young, I knew he was a gifted player and he was always one of my favorites in the MLB. Just depressing. R.I.P. Gary 😦
When the Mets traded for Gary, I knew that he was the missing piece. I was 18 when that happened and for all of those years, all I heard was about the 69 Mets. Thank you Gary, just before I turned 20, you gave me my own championship.
The Expos were the reason that I first started watching baseball as a kid. First it was Rusty Staub but that quickly passed when they started a young kid in RF named Gary Carter. Hated when he was traded to the Mets but never stopped being a fan. He was the kid that we all wanted to be playing the game we loved. Gave it all he had everyday and was a thrill to watch. Thanks for the memories Gary, God bless and RIP. You were the hero that all major leaguers should strive to be for the kids who will be the stars of tomorrow or the kids who play for the fun and enjoyment of the game.
This is a very sad day for all true Mets fans, Gary Carter we will miss your great smile and I also can’t believe the Wilpons never had a day last year during the season knowing his condition so Gary can have his number retired in front of his fans who loved him so much just like myself, Since I was “8” years old I’ve been going to Met games and used to cut out points coupons from milk cartons so I could save up enough to go to the games as a “Kid”. I’ve been a die-hard Mets fan through all the tough years because the Mets were my team so when they won in 1986 it all became worth it. This year will be the only year since I was “8” that I will NOT go to a game because the Wilpons broke my heart for not having a Gary Carter party during a home game so he can see his number retired before he passed away 😦 and I know I’m not the only fan who really really feels that way. Until we get new owners I will NEVER go to another Mets game. Gary #8 miss you :-(. Sorell88@aol.com
Thank you Gary Carter. Mets and baseball
hero.
I remember looking at his baseball card after his rookie year, having no idea he’s become a Hall of Famer; I remember the pre-season newspaper with his picture on it when he came to the Mets and being so excited that he was on my team…and of course, I remember 1986! Thanks, Gary, for all the great memories! Our prayers go out for his wife & family. GOD bless him!
You know when you look at some celebrity or sports figure’s death reports and there’s ALWAYS some heckler making asinine comments? (granted, sometimes they’re warranted), There have been absolutely NONE about Gary Carter….. anywhere…..nothing from anybody on any news post except what a great teammate, athlete, and man that he was…There, my friends, is a life most of us can never aspire to…….I’m proud to have known you. May your family find some comfort in the entire Northern Hemisphere truly mourning for you.
i always thought he was a class guy, great ballplayer, played hard and with heart and dignity, they just do not make them like him anymore, thank the lord for giving
the baseball world and the human race gary carter, rest in peace brother.
todd binder in las vegas
Saw Gary once going up the escalator at Bally’s in Atlantic City. My Dad and I waved to him. He smiled, that million dollar Gary Carter smile, and waved back. I was always a huge fan because he was a gentleman and understood the game of baseball. We’ll miss you Gary. God bless you.
My condolences to the Carter family.
Gary Carter is the ballplayer that all ballplayers should be. No questions asked. Gary Carter played the game like it is,… a “Kids” game. With the upmost respect for others and himself.
If the people in the United States of America were more like Gary Carter our country would be a far better place.
One of the greatest players to wear the Montreal Expos or the New York Mets uniforms. Always chipper and tried to be pleasant. I give my condolences to the entire Carter family.
Thanks for the memories Gary forever in a Mets fans heart rest in piece… thoughts and prayers to the Carter family
I will always remember the night Gary autographed my sons baseball ball hat at the Vet it was one of the best nights we spent together my son was on cloud nine because Gary was his and my favorite player we both express our condolences to the entire Carter family God Bless You Gary and your family.