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 
‘The Kid’ is then entire reason why I became a Mets fan. I currently live in SouthWest Ohio and get ask many times why do I love the New York Metropolitans. The answer is very simple, Gary Carter. He was more then just a baseball player. He was a wonderful role model to me and I am sure many other young Mets fans.
I was fortunate to meet Gary Carter for about twelve minutes in an electronics store I was running in 1986. What a man! One of the nicest, non-pretentious individuals I have ever met. Yes, we all miss him as a great baseball player…but after meeting him, I miss him as a great man.
Gary was the most important part of the 86 Mets. His energy lit up Shea!!!
I enjoyed watching Gary play at Shea stadium. He played with tremeduous enthusiasm for the game. I am very grateful that I had the opportunity to see Gary and the Mets win the World Series in 1986.
Gary was a class guy, who always remained positive. A great role model for younger players, he brought legitmacy and stability to a Met team that had youth and energy but lacked leadership. He will be missed by Met fans and baseball fans alike.
I agree
i don’t care how young i am now, i looked up to carter as well as piazza. i can tell by the way he plays he has a HUGE heart. i’m gonna be wearing carters number in baseball whenever i can. at least carter isnt suffering anymore. i give full respect to the one catcher whose always happy no matter what. as a high school catcher, i’m wearing #8 for him. R.I.P. kid
His enthusiasm for the game was and always will be unmatched, helping bring a WS to Queens in ’86, was his crowning achievement and is a season I will never forget. Gary was a great baseball player, but more importantly an awesome person. Thanks for teaching me to love and live your life, rest in peace Gary Carter.
Great passage , thankyou steve scoiortino
The ring that was brought here in ’69’ was righfully so well fought from mid season to october . The Ring that was brought here in ’86’ was rightfully so well fought from ’84 – 86′ frustrations of knowing before “86′ you had the best hardworking team of that Met era , to where garys major contributions got us over the hump , to where the release of relief of no more frustrations came when gary & jesse leaped high in the air !! { causing bruce hurst to switch his plan victory speech to a concession speech at bostons parade days after ours }
When Gary was with the Expos I had hoped he would wind up with the Mets and was thrilled when it happened. A great guy and a class act. Very sad that he is gone and will miss him.
For those of us ,who have been idolizing Gary Carter since the 70’s & 80’s with his high underdog energy to succeed , his spirit will always live on within his family & fans ! Amen .. !!!!
I remember a cold April day when Gary Carter in extra innings,being his first day with the Mets,won the game with a monster homerun.We were all so cold wrapped in blankets but knew he would come though for us.When I found out he was coming to the Mets I was thrilled.Rest in peace I know you fought this cancer which I am doing now.I have breast cancer so I am beating it which I am sure you would be happy about.
Gary Carter was the toughest baseball player I have ever seen play the game. He block the plate like a linebacker, he threw the ball to the bases with ease and he called a game for his pitchers with full comand.
As a man his enthuisam was infectious, his smile lit up a room and his ability to teach others what he had the good fortune of learning was inspirational to watch.
I can remember plenty of times he went out to the mound and reverved up the pitcher when he knew the pitcher was getting tierd and he would somehow get another inning out of that pitcher.
He was one in million and may he rest in peace.
Carolyn Mazza
A Devoted Mets Fan
That was the best ‘well put ‘ reply on gary , it amazing how religious he was back then back in the 80’s , like he was enjoying life to the fullest , and to never take anything for granted ! Losing a close-knitted family member or close friend is unbeliavably heart break breakiing , losing an idol like gary might not be on the same level , but never the less it hits home when part of you does your daily upbeat responsibilities from the memory of child star figures like gary on motivating levels . .
I got into baseball and the mets at age 7in 86 I remember gary Carter’s stance with the bat strait up and when Barry lions played how much we needed Gary .thanks kid
Classic batting stance , tremendous smile ! … If ya ever going to idolize somebody , let it be this man !! ….. I still love when him & keith almost picked off in game 3 up in fenway at 2nd & 3rd base { 1986 } . They both overran the bases in desperation to cause any sort of spark , then when realizing that one of ’em’ might be picked off , they both kinda lovable cluts-i-fied dove back into the base bags barely safe . You wouldnt believe how many worried met fans especially the ladies screaming for keith & gary to get back in my friends house !! … When the game was over , the mets with gary & keith’s tremendous running ability gave oil can boyd the nessary oil change !!
I remember when Gary Carter came to the Mets. And broadcaster “Jimmy the Greek” so rightfully said…..The Mets are now the favorites!……..You will be missed Kid, You brought allot of smiles on this kids face!
Joe Hesse/Mets fan in Indiana…
Gary Carter is in GODS loving embrace, and i know in my heart playing in baseball
heaven…. so batter up Gary.
i will always remember my 86 Mets and what a wonderful year it was , with the energy Gary Carter had and that smile, I’ll carry that memory with me always.
Thank you Gary Carter.
My greatest childhood memory was the 86 mets. I remember game 6 like it was yesterday. I wore number 8 every year in little league in honor of you. You inspire me to play the game the way you did. I feel like my childhood has offically come to an end with your passing. Thank you for being what an idol should be. Class act all the way!!!
Rip Gary ( kid) hof #8
thank you
Over the last 10 years , my biggest sports related dream I thought would easily come true by making Gary Carter the NY Mets manager . So what if he hinted at the job when being interviewed on Wfan radio about it , at least that shows ambition & aggression to succeed ! They could of offered him a dugout job at the very least , now we ‘ll never know ? The Ny mets owe it to themselves , garys family & fans by honoring his # 8 number by retiring on opening day for 2012 , not 2020 !
Coming from Virginia, my first ever professional baseball game was at Shea. The usher took us from the dangerous seat high in the stands to three rows right behind home plate. I got to see “The Kid” catch David Cone against The Cardinals and Ozzie Smith. Was a great game as the Mets won another one.
He was the final piece to the great Met teams of the mid to late 80s, and a class guy!
I like when gary was giving his acceptance speech up in cooperstown years ago , when he was voted into the hall of fame . He gave all heart warming idolizing compliments to johnny bench . To where johnny bench knodded in approval , but i cant figure carlton fisk’s negative facial expression during that moment ? I know carlton fisk is a fine respectable man , but if he thinks his best batting average years mixed with his low at bats ranks near the top with Gary & Johnny , then carlton is sadly mistaken ! In that case thankgod the mets won in ’86’ while johnnys reds won in ” 75 & 76 ‘ !
when you think of gary carter, you cant help but to smile.In an age of baseball prima donnas and me first thinking, gary was someone special. He stood out from the rest. Gary carter was the most unselfish baseball player that i can think of. his pure love of the game is what makes the kid in all of us smile and makes us all strive to be a gentleman like mr carter was. I had met gary at a charity event and when i shook his hand i knew that i was shaking the hand of a great man. His hands were tremendous by the way as they engulfed mine. Gary will never be forgotten as he made time for me that day just as he has made time for many people on many occasions. RIP kid.
I was at a Mets/Philles game at old Vet Stadium and saw Gary shagging balls around third base. I yelled out “Hey Gary”. He heard me looked up and smiled at me and gave me a thumbs up! I’ll never forget that, I can still see his big smile he gave me.
Rest In Peace, Gary Thanks for that moment.
The Kid
As a life long Met fan a trip to Gary Park in Canada meant two things: a good chance to win except the year they made the playoffs and a nemesis in Gary Carter. This catcher was so endearing, hustling, and smiling that his at bats were never what if but when. He had a penchant for doing damage! You could not hate him like any given Yankee. When news came of the trade and as said here more than once the puzzle was complete. Now I love Grote, respected Stearns, and Piazza was another Met savior, however, Gary brought it home for us with that base hit and in so many other ways. Ask Doc, Darryl, and Keith. His love of the game kept him in the game of life, plus his love of his family, and his faith in the lord. I cannot think of a comparison sake that was all encompassing to truth and being a good human being. I am sure they are out there. Carter was with that big smile. Lookin up to you 8. Thanks for making memories that never ever had anything but good attached to them.
To The Carter Family, know as a Met Fan who goes back to the 60s, there is no one like “The Kid”, a true professional, a family man, a teacher and a mentor. Being from New Jersey I had the fortune to see Mr. Carter’s monument at a small catholic high school, St. Rose, when my eldest son, who always wore #8, played against them during his high school career. We not only loved how Mr. Carter played, but admired all that he did and gave back off the field. The one Met player who comes closest to his professionalism and off the field giving back is David Wright. May your hearts grow stronger and your memories never fade of what a true athelete is suppose to be. We will all cherish our memories and how the game should be played both on and off the field. I know that “The Kid” is watching over all of us and he is probably getting into the swing of running his own spring season camp, where the weather is always perfect and all is right with the world. God Bless!
My fondest memories of the “kid
” was on Opening Day 1985 ….bottom of the 10th a Walk Off Home Run what better way to introduce yourself to the avid NY Mets Fan….Will always have a special place in my Heart ….God Bless The Kid and my prayers are with his Fami;y….Thanks for letting me be a Kid on opening Day!! ……Mark Williams
I was in the back of the Mess. thirdbase side for game 6 in 1986. I was near some Red Sox fans who like their team got excited one batter to soon. I remember one near me saying its over as Cater came up. My response was “Hall of Famer’s don’t make the last out”.
Classic answer by you , yeahhhhhh !! i love it – thankyou . we love you gary !
There will never be one like “THE KID” may he RIP. My heart and prayers go out to the Carter family.
I wrote a feature piece for the Poughkeepsie Journal a few days after the Mets made the announcement that Gary Carter would be joining Keith Hernandez, Dwight Gooden, Daryl Strawberry, Ron Darling and Co. at Shea Stadium. It was an exciting time to be a Mets fan. Carter, I wrote, was exactly what the doctor ordered. The missing link. With his bat, his defense, his leadership, and above all his enthusiasm. The article, some 14 column inches long, was my first as a stringer in the newspaper media. I was very proud of that piece. Gary Carter made watching Mets baseball a joy. In 2002 Frank Deford wrote a story for Sports Illustrated shorty after Johnny Unitas passed away. A very moving testimony to the gift Unitas had given the football fans and the city of Baltimore. Whenever Unitas suited up, he wrote, you always knew you had a chance to win. That you would win. Though it didn’t happen every time hardly mattered. That was his gift…. I felt much the same way about Gary Carter.. He made you feel good about being in his fraternity. He was a winner. That it didn’t happen every time hardly mattered.
I never saw him play but my dad was a huge expos fan and always said that the Kid was wonderful to watch and was a great role model I wish the their were still idols like that today check out my blog at gojays.mlblogs.com
I never met Gary, but had great respect for him. He never once spoke poorly of anyone as far as I remember. When I heard the late Art Rust jr. announce the trade on wabc radio here in New York; I could not believe my ears. My dad called one of his friends, and said “Gary is in the same class as Johnny Bench”. Ralph Kiner would call Gary, Gary Cooper sometimes. Gary smiled, however that was very Kiner like. Gary hit many opening day home runs for Montreal. I remember coming home from school early to finishing watching Gary’s first game as a met. My whole family liked Gary more so than most other players. I read a post somewhere where a fan said that part of him died when Gary left us. I have a similar feeling. Another fan said that his childhood officially ended with Gary’s passing. One thing for sure is the out pouring of respect that everyone has shown for Gary; I feel will be passed on to him in heaven where he is sitting proud right now. I never had the feeling of sadness for other great athletes who have perished like I do for Gary. It’s very hard to believe that at 57, still in the prime of his life, that it’s over. For whatever the reasons that you were taken like this; I only hope that the sadness of your loss will one day change in it’s place in the form of hope, for your friends and family. Even Keith Hernandez who has lost several teammates mostly with the Cardinals, is finding Gary’s lost the hardest. Keith was crying practically on SNY by phone. Johnny Bench also spoke so nicely at Gary’s memorial service, especially where he states “I feel inadequate compared to what Gary has accomplished, his friends his family, his pastor etc.” That said, what more can I say. G-d bless you.
ThankGod MLB has now extended the wild card format , with new expansion teams over the years and with this non- productive economy , its about time !! Look for the mets to win 83 games and squeeze into that last playoff spot , why ? { 1 } Fences are now normal disatnce to be moved in for this year { 2 } jason bay , ike davis & lucas duda feel real good and { 3rd } most of any other reason being is losing our beloved all time idol in the name of gary carter ! Lets go Mets 2012 !
Beautifully put!
God grant peace to your family, Gary. You were a great player and a great man. You were a man of great joy and enthusiasm and a man of great Faith and integrity. Your great legacy as a player is enshrined in cooperestown and in our hearts, but your greatest leagacy is you children and the true faith you passed on, that legacy will endure beyond time. Now you’re enshrined in the hall of Faith
Thankyou Richard , As as life long met fan since early april from 1962 , I gotta funny feeling our 2012 NY met team will wake up and play extra hard for ther most hearted player ever in the name of gary carter { my idol } ! Why ? with the fences moved into be a normal playing field , heres my prediction for 2012 with no pressure :
ss- Tejeda . 270 avg
1b- Daniel Murphy . 305 avg
Cf- Lucas duda . 267 avg 27 to 37 hr’s
lf- J bay . 288 avg 22 to 25 hrs
3b- Wright . 290 avg 22 to 27 hr’s
rf- Ike davis . 300 avg 30 to 45 hr’s
C-Paulino . 267 avg .
2b- anybody who’s decent !
If the pitching ranks between 5 to 8 th in standings , this team has a chance for a wildcard or at the very least that last spot for the wildcard in the entended format thats coming ! Lets go mets , lets go out and win big this year for # 8 . r.i.p. gary we loveeeeeeeeee you !!
You may want to tinker with your “lineup”. Murphy will play 2b. Duda will be in LF. Davis will be at 1b and Ronny Paulino isn’t even on the team. Duda in CF? C’mon man.
Lucas Duda in Cf ? what am I nuts ?? your right , otherwise his springtraining stats with 4 homers playing rf is a blessing for our team . I would love to see this team play for gary , as long as they play from there hearts regardless of any standings is all anyone can ask . Mind you , if we make that new 5th playoff spot with a 80-82 record , will I be satisfied and content just to have that ? answer – NO !!!! , YOU & I & gary carter up in heaven and the rest of Met Fan nation if we squeak in completely expect to go all the way – and will !!! bring on 2012 !! r.i.p gary .
Never forget it was the kid who started that 2 out rally in game 6!!!
Many of my earliest baseball memories involve Gary Carter. I remember The Kid’s first game as a Met when he belted a game winning home run against The Cardinals, a few weeks after that game my Aunt and Uncle bought me my first Met Jersey for my communion and it was a # 8. The first game I went to that Gary played in was in the summer of 1985 and he hit two homeruns. Thanks Gary
I grew up watching The Kid and it was completely amazing to see him take the field. He personified the meaning of a true baseball player.
I remember back in ’86’ yankee fans use to make negative remarks about garys throwing arm ? They use to complain that strat-o-matic baseball use to give Gary a generous throwing rating that year , What yankee fans failed to realize is that Gary regardless of runners running on him , never back down from those runners when having the kind of soreness in his throws . Regardless of the runners sliding in safe most of the time , most catchers under that sort of pain give up and lightly toss it into 2nd , not gary !! He played the game the right way , if your gonna beat his throws to the bag , restasure he ‘ll never back down regardless how much writhering pain he was enduring !! Nothing Wrong with strat-o-matic grading his heart !! rest in peace old warrior we love you gary !!
I work at the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in St. Marys, Ontario and we inducted Gary in 2001. This was the second ever induction ceremony I had organizes and still one of my favourite today. The pleasure of meeting Gary and his wonderful family was memorable. He was easy to deal with and had some great ideas to make our Induction weekend run better. I was even lucky enough to spent time with Gary’s family as I drove them back to Toronto to meet up with Gary after the Induction weekend. Thank you Carter family. Gary you will be missed greatly.
I remember where I was when I heard the news about the trade (playing quarters in the basement of my dorm). I was at Opening Day in 1985 and at Gary Carter Night at Shea. My son and I went to Cooperstown to see The Kid get inducted into the HOF. Thanks for the memories Gary. RIP. And thanks to your courageous daughter for keeping us updated throughout your battle!
I am very pleased and have a great deal of respect for the Mets Organization for the respect that they will show toward this outstanding human being. He was one of a kind. Being from Western Canada I was not able to attend many Major League games but on occasion when I was in Montreal I did. Sitting the stands and watching him work the crowd in pregame was something to behold. He was very special and was truly awesome.
When Will Gary’s number be retired? and why not a statue of him at entrance of City Field(Most other teams have a statue of a Hero of the team
As a Met fan since 1962, I have endured the good, bad and the ugly. When Gary Carter was traded to the Mets, this was by far the utmost of good. I just felt that he was the missing piece and he proved it by leading the team to a championship. However, he was a special man off the field as well as on the field. He will be missed by his family, friends and fans. Gary Carter was special and there are not many people that can be said about. My sincere condolences to his family.
One of the most heart breaking moments was in 1989 , either the night gary & keith were released from the Ny mets or the next day afterwards . When gary made an emotional speech to where he cried { i cried } too , when he said He cant believe he’s not gonna be playing for the NY mets any more { not the exact words but close } and how thankful he was . Do You know why he is very much loved people ? because he played from his heart regardless how injured he was { and was very quiet about it } . Physical Fit wise he was like the brett farve of baseball , same hard working smile & who gave it all he got ! Yes he has always showed great admirations for his other teams such as the Giants , expos & dodgers , to where he went into the hall of fame as an expos , but pssssssst , – you know where his heart always was with ??? you guess it – the New York Mets , His family & fans !! Rest in peace gary , my family and i miss you big time !! We love you !
I knew even on the Expos you were a “special one” …was overjoyed when you
became a Met in 85, was really at your first Met game. What remains so strong
within me, regarding memories of the Kid is why I was so fond of him. It goes
beyond a wonderful player, a real cutie, an infectious smile. It is the awareness
of the beauty and power of the Faith in his personal Creator. That for me always
shined through…and will continue to shine ever so brighly. And perhaps that
same wondrous brightness will also remain with the Mets. Thank you Gary
When I was 13 years old I wrote Gary a letter requesting an autograph on the baseball card I had enclosed. He returned the card and instead he signed a postcard that read Jeff, God Bless, Gary Carter…this is my most prized collectible. When I heard Gary passed I automatically thought about watching all those games with Kiner, Healy, and McCarver in the press box and bagging my parents to stay up one more inning because Gary was “up next”. My youngest son’s first name is Carter because of this sports hero! Gary thank you for being a sports hero that truly had a moral compass. My condolences to the Carter family; my dad passed away two years ago at age 60. What a lousy feeling I wish you did not have to feel. I remember watching game 6 with my dad and jumping around like a fool; what a great memory.
you will be Missed Gary . Rip, you are a class act, a gentleman , and this families basesball hero. your the best.
Gary, Thank you for the great memories.You were a big part of why we won in 1986.Your a great man. may god have you in his arms. thanks kid….
in todays sports world with “roids”…..failed drug tests…overblown egos and payrolls..etc. etc. “The Kid” is probably the last of his kind….playing the game for the simple love of it. As a life-long die-hard Met’s fan I wish I would have appreciated his time with the Mets more than I did. The 1986 season will never be forgotten! Sadly you probably won’t see another like him in today’s world.
Will miss you “Kid”. That infectious smile! Thanks for all you did for the Mets. Not only on the field, but for the wonderful man you were in the midst of that wild bunch!!
As a kid I watched every game still do. When I was young watching, my mom would watch games and Gary was always her favorite. I once asked why, she responded that he just seems genuinely good. That was more important to mom than his baseball skills. In 1989 we relocated to the Tampa area of Florida, as the Mets relocated to Port St. Lucie. My cousin was a cop in West Palm and responded to a burglary call. As he arrived, to his surprise there was “the kid” doing homework with his kids. My cousin took the information and then let Carter know about my mom, without hesitation he autographed a photo for mom. Mom was right he was just genuinely a super guy. Turns out the maid was stealing memorabilia. Kid wasn’t phased by the small stuff, then again not even the big stuff. Gary wasn’t a fake, he was genuine, kind, a great leader, a great person, my prayers go out to his family. I just hope some of the current mets realize the importance of team as he always stressed.
I’m a lifelong Mets fan, and I remember watching Monday night football and I believe it was Howard Cosell who announced that the Mets got Gary Carter via trade. From then on I knew that Gary would turn things around. Thank You for 1986 Gary! I had the honor of meeting Gary back in the early 90’s when he was announcing for the Marlins at the Broward Mall in Plantation, Florida. I was working at the Warner Brothers Studio Store and I saw Mr. Carter sitting on the bench in the middle of the mall. I went into the toys section and got a Bugs Bunny baseball bat and took it out to him. I apologized for the bat but he was very nice to sign it for me. I still have the bat to this day. Thanks for all the memories Gary!
I remember going to Mickey Mantle’s restauraunt in New York, on the day that Darryl Strawberry made his first appearance back at Shea as a member of the Dodgers. I was fortunate enough to meet Mantle on that day, and he asked our group if we were going to the game that night. Gary Carter was on that Dodgers roster at the same time, which people may forget. ” The Kid” received a bigger ovation than Darryl. He will be missed and loved by Mets fans,forever.
In our era the Yankees had Jackson & Jeter, The Rangers had Messier, The Giants have Eli. The Mets had Seaver and Carter. I’ll never forget that 10th inning single in game 6. I was holding on for dear life. He was truly a champion and carried the Mets on his back. He sounded the battle cry in that inning and his troops responded. that’s what leaders do. Let’s hope this 2012 team can respond.
Gary carter dueling charlie kerfeld , heres the pitch – “Up the middleeeeee basehit !!! backman rounding 3rd , hatchers throwwwwww ,no play easyyyy for backman , Carter wins it with a basehit while the mets win the ball game 2- 1 !!! lololololo – you know keith jackson was ticked off announcing that , while McCarver was in his glory loving that 12 th inning outcome ! Knowing how keith jackson hated the mets , having him announce the winning run was ultimate kick in the rear towards him and his houston business pals. ..lolololololol
gary carter was the perfect example of class both on and off the field.he exemplifies the best in heroes.thanks for all the joy he gave all his fans.he will be missed
Heres another classic , remember being down 2 games to nothing to bosox in ’86’ , to where dykstra led off the game with a homer off the oil can . Then after a few batters later , hernandez and carter almost got picked off from 3rd base and 2nd base , to where gary had the most trouble getting back to 2nd after in scary desperation of not being picked off . It was the whole nation crying out for gary to get back to 2nd – and when he did he was safe !! i love that moment , and will never forget the unconditional love he recieved , because he played from his heart !!
I”m a long time Mets fan . I just love them. And just love Gary Carter . I was at the last game of 86 it was as a great night. I will never forget it. Thanks Gary rip job well done. We will miss you. My heart and prayers go out to Sandy and kids.
My condolences to Mrs. Sandy Carter and her children and grandchildren. I grew up as a Brooklyn Dodger fan and a N.Y. Met fan. I will always remember that Gary had a smile on his face and was always had a positive attitude. He will be missed. We will remember you.
i have been a Mets fan since the late 60’s….The Kid’s two strike two out hit in game 6 of the 86′ series…i’ll never forget…that kept our Met dreams alive…that was Carter…a “battler ” until the end….great competitor.RIP Kid -you won’t be missed because as Met fans we will always remember and honor you…your not going anywhere in our hearts and memories.
Gary Carter is literally one of my earliest childhood memories I have. I remember the ’86 team but I mostly remember Carter’s upbeat attitude all the time. I’m truly saddened at his passing. R.I.P Gary Carter and thank you for the memories.
Gary Carters classic ” etched in stone ” upbeat look , should serve as a mirror image to our own way of expressing optimistic facial expressions , by never backing down when competing sports wise as the odds lay heavily against you to succeed ! i told you this man was and will forever be my idol . He is all our idols , hows that !