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 want to arrange a memorial service in New York for fans to attend and share their memories of Gary in person. I need a place to have it. Does anyone know of or have access to a ball room or park, or large gathering area that we could have this? Is there anyone willing to offer up the space for free. If we can plan it I will notify radio stations to announce it and will post the time and place on this blog and other Interent sites that many people have access to. I think it would be great to make this happen.
love this idea. Unfortunately I don’t know of anything in the city but hope this happens.
Try hotels in the area. In my 42 years as a chef I found that hotels will rent out their banquet hall and ballrooms for anything short of anarchy.
Excellent idea , why not have it at darryl strawberrys new resturant which is in douglaston long island . Its amazing only the good die young ?? I still cry from time to time , We love you gary !
Gary was a huge part of my childhood. My lucky number is 8 because of him. I followed him from the time I was 11. I finally got the chance to meet him when I was 23 and he was an announcer for the Florida Marlins. He was broadcasting a game at Shea. I met him outside the press entrance. I asked him for a picture. He obliged. I told him that I waited12 years to meet him. He turned to me, and said, “12 years, wow!” and that big smile beamed from his mouth. He signed a baseball for me and was on his way. Years later, in 2008, I was working at the All-Star Fan Fest at the Javits Center. Gary was on hand to sign autographs. The line was wrapped around the whole floor. I brought the picture I had of him and me and went up to his agent/handler. She asked him if he would sign it for one of the volunteers. Gary looked up and saw me. He smiled and said certainly. I am tearing up just writing this entry. I was 33 years old and still following around my childhood hero. Gary, I will never forget you. Thank you for all the great memories you have provided me.
Gary was the epitome of a sportsman and human being. An example to our children of how professional athletes should conduct themselves. Unfortunately, professional sports figure who act similarly are few and far between these days. He was humble, kind and good to the fans. I point to his example whenever I am teaching my children how to behave when they interact with others, be it in sports competition or in daily life. Thanks for the memories, Kid. God bless you and your family.
The most comfortable seat either up in the stands or in your living room watching the game live or on strat-o-matic pc screen , when seeing Gary Batting 4th especially vs righties cf- Dykstra
2b- Bachman
1b- Hernandez
c- Carter
rf- Strawberry
3b – Knight { classic .298 hitter in ’86’ }
lf- Wilson
ss- Santana
p-Gooden, ojeda , darling & el sid . { 86 lineup}
lets also never forget the classic 1996 sports channel doing an old gary carter music video , when the song was by tom petty called ” dont come around here no more ” as gary slowly walks up to the batters box prepared to go to war with neil allen on opening day extra inning day in ’85’ , as he is prepared to swing the song beats on , to where in the song goes heyyyyy – thats when you see carters homerun go sailing over the left field wall in slow motion , making a sea of blue & orange fans go nuts in high drama motivation that gets every met fan in the universe pumped !!
Gary wrote in his book ‘A Dream Season’ that rather than chose #5 for Johnny Bench he felt that a player should chose a number that has something to do with him. ‘Kid’ chose #8 because he was born on April 8 and married on February 8. The lesson learned is that each person exists independently, not as a protege of someone else.
I was going through a hard time in my life when the mets were on their way to the world series. They got me through my tough times. I appreciate Mr. Carters sacrifice in that the fans love you when your winning and boo you when your loosing(this is just the course of things though). I remember the jubilation I felt when they were winning but I felt something different when they were loosing, I felt sorry that the fans couldn’t appreciate the players playing their hearts out even though they weren’t on top. Anyway may you rest in peace Gary Carter!
# 1 spirit guy to never give up in trying to win , if you dont win at least you lose the baseball game with no excuses , old hard working war horses with dinosaur- ish styles with upbeat smiles comes by every 30 to 40 years , almost like a comet – gary was one of ’em’ ! Rest in peace my good friend , while your up in heaven -enjoy a great cup of heavily brewed coffee with Bob murphy , tug mcgraw & john milner etc , and help guide the 2012 mets into the playoffs ! we love you gary !!!
My father Bob and Gary’s father Jim were brothers and there was a sister Becky. It was always a close family. They have all passed on including Gary’s mother when Gary was only 12. I was in the Navy when his mother passed and was so very proud to be a pall- bearer for her. The Navy granted me emergency leave to be there. She was an Olympian swimmer and taught me to swim that led me to be a life guard for the city of Santa Monica. I will miss Gary beyond words. I pray for his wife Sandy, Christy, Kimmy, D.J and Gordon, Gary’s brother.
As I read I see that most fans remember Gary the baseball player and champion. What really struck me was the players who had to be pushed to comment on Gary the player after long comments about Gary the man and outstanding human being. There is no greater tribute to a person than when all your athletic accomplishments are brushed aside when people remember The attributes of Gary the man a great human being. God bless you Gary and may he watch over your family.
Gary was a great family man , most sports fans can see his brand of style on the field , as well as off the field , most of us can configure !
God bless his family ,and lets see the NY Mets retire his number opening day of this year , Iam sure garys family , friends , keith & ronny up in the booth would love that ! and fans too !!
I agree with you completely. The Mets should retire Gary’s number 8, and the team should wear a number 8 patch on their uniforms
Mets should wear a number 8 patch on their uni’s this season to honor Carter.
They will. It’s been done on other teams.
So should the Nationals (nee Expos) he played 11 of his 19 seasons for them
I honestly never expected Gary’s passing to affect so much. I loved him as player and from people who I have talked to who knew him, he was even a greater man. A friend of mine and I created a video to commemorate Gary’s great life. Their is no doubt he will be dearly missed by all…
This was beyond wonderful…. thank you so much for doing this
Gary Carter not only was a leader on the field but a gentleman off the field. His smile and sense of humor were genuine. My fondest memories of “The Kid” were two instances outside Shea Stadium. The first was following the final regular season game in 1985. The Mets had barely missed out on the playoffs and the fans were disappointed. But not Gary. He left the stadium thanking the fans, cheering us on and saying “wait till next year.” As he left the stadium in his car he lowered his window, began to repeatedly honk his horn and had a fist raised in the air as he drove off. At that point we were all geared up for what was to come in 1986. The other memory came after a postseason game in 1986. During that time Gary did a series of TV commercials for Volvo. My good friend Jeff and I were waiting outside to catch a glimpse of the players as they left Shea Stadium. My eagle eyed friend noticed that Gary, along with his family, were not riding in a Volvo but rather a different vehicle (can’t remember the brand). In his own, unique way my friend yells out at the top of his lungs “Hey Gary, where’s the Volvo?” At that point Gary stopped dead in his tracks and broke out laughing. To this day we still talk about that as an iconic moment while we were in our 20’s. Like they say you had to be there and a good number of other people were there as well and noticed how Gary reacted and they laughed as well. It’s instances like that where I miss the players of Gary’s character … one who’s quick to recognize the fans and take time to say hello and sign autographs. While he’s at peace now and will be missed I will always remember Gary Carter as THE man behind the 1986 world champion New York Mets. RIP Gary … you will be sorely missed!
I want to write this down some where so I can feel that I want Garry to know that most fans knew that Garry Carter was not only a great baseball player but a great human being I seen that when he played for the Expos all he ever did on the field was to hustle,hustle.hustle,when he came to the Mets I knew we would win it all with him on the team…..So long Garry may God bless you and Rest In Peace
my condolences to the carter family n prayers for you…gary thank u for 1986 and bringing back a world championship to our town.u were the final piece to the team and ur presence made us a better team n like mike piazza made us winners.r.i.p. gary ur a winner in my eyes
Gary Carter was a key to reviving the Mets and bringing back a taste of the 1969 champions, because he was always a champion himself, and I loved watching him play. Every professional athlete should strive to be like The Kid. We love you, Gary. Rest in peace.
I grew up watching those Mets teams of the ’80s and they brought excitement back to Queens. The puzzle was not complete until they brought in Kid. He brought in the stability to a young pitching staff that so desperately needed it. I was honored to be at his induction ceremony to the HOF. He was a true professional on and off the field and will be deeply missed.
Always a role model for how the game should be enjoyed and played. Thank you for providing so many fond memories G C. RIP
Having played Little League ball with Gary and having gone to the same Jr High. I got to know his whole family. I’m a year older than Gary, and I went to Buena Park High School, arch rival of Sunny Hills. My youngest brother, Phil went to Sunny Hills when Fullerton Union High School District drew up new boundries, since I was going into my junior year I was given the option going to one or the other, I opted for staying at BP, so I kinda lost touch with him while Phil (1 year younger than Gary) became good friends with him and Sandy, Gary’s widow. But I can tell you that this man was the real thing and as genuine as can be. HE will be missed by everyone who’s life he ever touched! I’ll bet he and Phil are talking in heaven right now (Phil died Dec 7, 2011) GOD BLESS YOU SANDY, CHRISTY, KIMMY, AND D.J., you’re in my prayers!
seeing all these tributes to this fantastic person, is only fitting. i had the pleasure of meeting gary in 1985, and got to see him alot as i was at st lucie (SPRING TRAINING), after some visits, he took a liking to me. everytime after that visit… he would call out my name, shake my hand and always went out of his way to say how ya been, what you up too.i was no longer a fan… i was a friend, in the spring of 86, I told him i was going to drive to atlanta to watch them smash the braves, he just laughed and said… if you get to go… get my attention… when i got there and called out to him from behind the dugout, he shouted my name and said….you made it .. and promtly brought me in dugout to the clubhouse area and shouted to mookie, tim teuful , backman,, and said fellas i want you to meet my buddy Tony D, i was shocked, after that he got me 2nd row seats for that game and the following day. throughout the years i moved away, and lost contact. i got to a few card shows he would do, and he remembered me as if were yesterday. gary my buddy i will never forget YOU….rest in peace… my friend. my thoughts go out to his wife sandy,, who was just as nice a person as gary was, and his family… TONY D
my first baseball memory is when Gary Carter hit the ball out of Shea Stadium on opening day. It was huge in many ways that my 6 year old consciousness couldn’t begin to understand. But the biggest thing to me and why it’s stuck in my head so long is the sheer elation on the guys face who hit it and the way he floated around the bases on his bad legs. From that day on I was glued to WWOR each summer night for the rest of my childhood. Talk about an ambassador of the game. The guy put that team on his back and won the hapless Metsies a Series which may not happen again for a very long time. Rest in peace, “Hair-Bear” You are the Hero of all heroes!
Bless him. Not just a great player, a great person.
Whenever i wrote April 8th on the board, I would tell my class that today is Gary Carters birthday. Since they’re only 6 years old they were not familiar with the name. After about 20 minutes they knew all about Gary. I will continue to inform our future generations about Gary Carter,how much we loved him and how he made an imprint on our lives. My prayers are with your family and friends.
Beautiful comment & thought!!
I remember how happy I was when the Mets traded for Gary. He was such a great competitor for the Expos, I was glad to have him on our side. He instantly became my favorite Met. The more I watched him, the bigger fan I became. Growing up ( I was born in 1961) baseball was my favorite sport. And what I liked about Gary was that he played the game the way it was intended to be played. He played with such entusiasm and passion, and his knowledge and respect for the game was second to none. He looked happy EVERY TIME you saw him, whether it was on the field or in the dugout. I’m glad to see and read that he lived and loved that way as well. I hope that Gary Carter, his family, friends, and fans find peace in the happy memories he left behind. Only a small percentage of people are able to touch so many lives like he did, and I feel privelidged to be one of them! Thank GOD for Gary Carter…R.I.P.
Please retire #8 now!
Amen Chris! I really hope they do!
Gary Carter was my son’s favorite Met player. He was only 3 years old
when he watched the 1986 world series with his dad and I. When he was growing up he always talked about Gary Carter. The last fun thing my son and i did before he went off to college was to attend Gary Carter Day at Shea Stadium in August, 2001.
What a nice memory we have of that day. What a great example he was for children
who loved basebsall You will be missed!
Gary Carter, a Very Special Human Being.
I had the fortune to meet Gary Carter back in 1995 at a …. Soccer Game. I was assigned to referee the Girls High School Game between Lincoln Park and King’s Academy (from Palm Beach Gardens) on a Saturday morning at the LPA campus in Fort Pierce. The KA school bus arrived and I noticed this man carrying to the team bench a bag of soccer balls on his shoulder and the 5 gallon water cooler; the more I looked at him, the more I felt that “I had seen him before”. He stopped a few feet away from me, looked straight at me and with an unforgettable smile said “Good Morning”. At that moment I realized that it was … him …, the ex catcher of my favorite baseball team, the NY Mets, the great Gary Carter. He put down the bag and the cooler near the team bench and came over to shake my hand, always with that huge and unforgettable smile. We introduced ourselves and chatted. I asked him what was he doing carrying equipment for the team; he said that it was his daughter’s school and that she played on the team – with number 8 on her jersey – and that “he loved to be a water boy” and that ….he loved soccer! That Saturday morning I was in heaven and I probably blew a few calls because of the excitement that Gary Carter brought there. I had no camera that day and cell phones had … no camera in it, so at the end of the match we just shook hands and wished each other well.
A few days later I was assigned to work another High School Girls game at Martin County and the visiting team was … King’s Academy once again. This time I made sure that I had a camera with me and took the picture with the KA “water boy” Gary Carter. He was happy to see me again and did not hesitate to pose for the photo and to continue our chat. I knew that I was fortunate to have met one of most amazing man ever; his believe in Jesus and God struck me incredibly. He asked me for my address, and a few days later I received an envelope containing a beautiful autographed card that explains his believes.
It was another amazing day juts to know that Gary Carter was there that evening watching his daughter’s soccer game.
I was deeply saddened when I learned of his brain cancer and from time to time I prayed the Lord to help him in his suffering. The baseball Hall of Famer Gary Carter was called in Paradise too early, but maybe because the Lord needed not only a great catcher, but also his smile to bright even more His place.
Thank you for the great memories and thank you for being an example to whoever lives you have touched. R.I.P.
GARY CARTER IS A TRIBUTE TO BASEBALL….THE EPITOMY OF WHAT A GREAT GUY AND PLAYER HE WAS…..ONE SPRING TRAINING IN WPB FLA
HE WAS AT THE BALL FIELD “GETTING DOWN” WITH THE FANS…A REAL
HUMAN BEING……. A FEW YEARS LATER WHEN MY NEPHEW MIKE TERHUNE
WAS AT ST LUCIE WITH THE METS AND GARY WAS COACHING. MIKE TOLD
ME HOW GARY SPENT TIME GENEROUSLY WITH HIM WITH WORDS OF
ENCOURAGEMENT, ETC AND HOW NICE A MAN HE WAS….I HOPE THEY
HAVE “BASEBALL” IN HEAVEN,,,,,,GARY WILL BE A STANDOUT AND A STAR
My condolences to the Carter family. I am grateful for all the memories I have of him. He was a player we could be proud to have on our team and I was inspired by his unbridled joy. Love life while you are here like Gary did and you will serve his memory well. He was great on and off the field.
There were 2 outs and the Mets were down by 2 runs in the 6th game of the ’86 WS. I stood up to turn off the game after Gary would make the 3d out because I didn’t want to see the Red Sox celebrating. Gary never made that 3d out and I’ll never forget the joy in what happened next.
Gary Carter sparked the Mets and he will never be forgotten by this fan who has been rooting for the Metropolitans since that first day in St. Louis in April 1962. We loved you Gary.
My condolences to the
Gary Carter family. Gary is with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and I hope he is happy. God bless you, Sandy, Kimmie, Christie, andD. J.
I have been a Mets fan since the 1968. My childhood heroes Seaver, Ryan , Harrelson and Willie Mays made me proud to be a Mets fan and not a Yankee fan.
Mary, my wife became a fan when we started dating in 1986 and I explained to her that Carter was a throw-back player who played for the love of the game. She has been a Mets fan every since that Magical season; due to Carter REFUSING to make the last out of the World Series. Gary will always being a NY Met in our Hearts!
The Gobel’s
RIP Kid. May God Bless and comfort his family.Elmer J. Graham Jr.,Keyport, New Jersey.
the one and only. sadly missed. from all your fans in the uk xx
Started my Mets life in 1962 when my Grandfather, a NL fan all his life said we could no longer be Yankee fans. Been a fan ever since. 1969 I did not learn we won the series till the next day (Okinawa). 1986 my brother-in-law managed to get some tickets to the series my first one. Okay I’ll stop rambling … Carter was more a Met than than most. His baseball was fantastic and his announcing was great as well … Thank you Gary ….thank you!
The first baseball game I ever went to was in Shea Stadium in May of 1985. I saw the Mets beat the Reds 1-0. Gary Carter hit a line-drive home run over the left field wall. I was hooked on the Mets and Gary from that moment. I had the pleasure of seeing him play and of seeing the Mets win it all in ’86 due to the heroics of Gary and the amazins. I returned home to Ireland in 2001 but never stopped following. I am so sorry to hear of Gary’s death. Thank you Gary for some great memories and for starting what has become a life-long obsession. R.I.P.
Brendan
Rest in peace Gary Carter you will be missed. Your gone much to soon but you will never be forgotton. Great ball players and people like you are hard to find these days. Thanks for the memories.
I met him about a week after he was inducted into the HOF in 2003 at a signing in Long Island. I stood in line for over 2 hours with hundreds of other Gary fans. It was one of the nicest experiences,…sharing memories with the other fans, talking about what we’ll say when it’s our turn to meet him. I knew all along what I’d say. I was 16 in 1986 and Gary was always my favorite Met. When it was my turn, I said, “Thank you for all of the wonderful memories I have because of you.” He cocked his head, eyes wide and he grabbed my hand and said, “Why, thank you so much,” and I said, “No, thank YOU so much!”. It was a great moment for me and I was so glad that I got to meet him:) He will be missed.
I was born and raised a Mets fan. I was only 4 years old in ’86, but I can remember being stretched out on the living room floor watching the World Series with my dad and telling him that I really liked “that guy with the curly hair.” Baseball has changed a lot over the years, but you will always be remembered as a true hero and role model. I will be forever grateful for the amazing memories that you have given me and every other baseball fan out there. Rest in peace Gary. You will be loved and cherished as a person and as an athlete.
Gary Carter wass my childhood hero, the personification of a hard-nosed catcher, a true ambassador for the game on and off the field,a team player, an inspirational example of maintaining a positive outlook on life and its hardships, The Kid, and the reason I played catcher, always wearing the number 8.
I had the pleasure of meeting him once when I was 9. In my father’s office at Macy’s Herald Square, crushed by a crowd of people and cameras, he made the space and took the time to field every question my little baseball hungry mind could throw. His book, “A Dream Season,” (which I got that day and began reading that night) influenced my life from that point on. Gary’s story, and his outlook, has always stayed in the back of my mind as a lesson about positivity, and has made me a better person for it.
He will always be, to me, a shining example of who a ballplayer, and more importantly, a man should be.
Thank you, and God speed Gary
I remember the Day that the Mets Traded Hubie Brooks, Herm Winningham Mike Fitzgerald and Floyd Yoummans For The Kid, I said to my Father The Mets are going to the World Series. The Mets have to retire his Number 8 during Opening Day Ceromonies. RIP Gary The Kid Carter. Thank you for leading the ’86 Mets to a World Series Title.
Yes the New York Mets should change there system related team rules , and retire garys # 8 number . i’ll give them a pass for not doing last season when gary was diagnosed , out of respect of a possible miracle . Now they should stop with this longevity rule of aplayer having to play so many years for the organization to be qualified ? Why should gary be given a pass to have his number retired ? Not only was he the main guy who got that organization over the hump , but with the greatest amount of do or die pressure not to let the redsox cave in to a game 6 victory , he started that # 1 historcal comeback with a basehit ! He was one of the most unusual players to soak his aching throwing arm 2 hours before a game / and after , most of all For a team that won 2 rings and not 27 , at least hang garys number up – by honoring his clutch hitting & pitcher educated services that stand out on all responsible levels in ’86’ as a catcher .
To Gary Carter.. and his family.
Kisd was one of my favorite players of all time. No worries on the field and never heard of one off… you would root for him and simply know he would give every effort that you wish you could if you had the ability! That is the best a fan could ask for.
I wish he could have had a chance to manage the Mets before he left us. I think he would have been great!
RIP.. to a great Met and by all apperarances an excellent father and family man.
JFK Lifetime Mets fan
So sad to see a hero like Gary Carter;s life end too soon, He was a true role model for all too look up too. He was truly one of a kind in the world of baseball, You will always be remembered for your role on the 86 Mets…We will miss you ! Prayers are with your family
Gary Carter embodied all that little league ball players should aspire too. He was abrasive, but loyal and committed to his teammates, his team, the game, and most importantly the fans. Gary Carter played with such intensity and his leadership bled to others. His career in Montreal was unbelievable for a person playing his position. When he was traded to the Mets he gave the team the missing piece needed to help mold a young staff and become the champions they became in 1986. Gary Carter was and will always be a role model for people and players to look up to. He left it all on the field and always gave 100%. Rest in piece Gary Carter, your smile will never be forgotten along with your contribution to baseball. Mt thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends.
RIP Gary Carter, you will be missed and never forgotten.
Gary Carter was one of a kind. He loved life and loved baseball.
Billy Joel said it best — “Only the good die young.”
I’ll never forget Gary Carter. I got to meet him in the summer of 1986 when i installed locks in his house. It was one of the biggest thrills in my life. I asked his wife if I could meet Gary when I was finished with the job. She said he would be happy to meet you. I was so nervous I made sure the job came out perfect. Gary came out when I was finished shook my hand asked me my name and told me he it is good to meet you. He had a big smile on his face and invited me to sit down at his kitchen table and we talked baseball. I asked him for an autograph and he came out with an 8×10 picture which he personally signed for me. He was such a nice man and made me feel special which is non existent today among famous people. I will never forget you Gary and how you made me feel that day. Rest in place and God Bless you and your family.
I loved Gary as Did My son who is now 33 and expecting to have his first child soon- Gary was His Favorite Met- U will NEVER be Forgotten Gary- We r Diehard Mets- Win this Yr for GARY!
I loved watching Gary Carter play. He played with such enthusiasm. We were blessed by his presence on the field. I pray for his family and know he is with the Lord free of all pain and suffering. Rest in peace Gary.
God Bless You Gary Carter.
Gary Carter is now taking the field with his other HOF teammates who are in heaven especially along side the ‘Great One’, Roberto Clemente. Carter also won the Roberto Clemente Award in 1989. In the same breath…Rest in Peace, Gary!
Ill never forget Gary Carter, got too meet him twice. First back in 1978 he came too are little league banquet in 1978 when I was 10, I still have his autograph on my trophy, than back in 1982 I met him once again in Cote St Luc in the Grand Slam Baseball School as they had an instructor each day. Of course he didnt remember me from 4 years earlier but he did remember attending are banquet because he was a peoples person , always ready too sign an autograph and talk too people. R.I.P Gary, you will always be remembered too me as the 2nd best all around catcher ever after Johnny Bench.
He was my # 1 idol growing up , next joe namath and my best friend alan . gary was the ultimate “blue collar underdog” playing from his heart , for the team , fans & family . Any person who makes it his personal interest to sign autographs for kids at all times does not play the game for money , He plays from his heart for all human beings to appricate the quality of life , amen . Rest in peace gary , We sincerly love you and will always miss you { big time } !!
Gary, You showed us what being a leader is all about. Your enthusiasm for the game and life is an inspiration to everyone.. You helped to make every Mets fam believe again. Thanks for everything you did for us. As a forever Mets fan I will never forget you.. My prayers are with your family at this difficult time. RIP