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 am a big former Expos fan from way back, I was a fan till the bitter end. My late maternal Grandmother was your biggest fan. You were a household name in her house. We enjoyed watching you play so much. I wish you all the best. I’m sure my Grandmother would have too.
Gary,
The way you played the game was an inspiration to us all. The way you’re handling this difficult time is even more impressive. Get well soon, Kid. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Your play brought great pleasure to our household. We wish you all the best.
Gary, fight this the way you played baseball….and you will be fine. Alot of fans love you and always will……hang in there
Thank you for sharing your gift for the game with us fans over the years. My heart and support go to you and your family for a strong recovery.
Gary,
You touched so many lives and now you have all those prayers coming in for you! We all know that you will beat this and come out the true champion that you are. God Bless You and keep you always. All Mets fans will always love you kid!
You are my favorite baseball player ever. I have all the newspaper clippings from the ’86 World Series. You were the heart and soul of that team. I met you last summer in Cooperstown on Father’s Day after the baseball game and it was a check off the bucket list…you are amazing. You will beat this because you are strong and have a wonderful family for support !! Just like in ’86 everyone said it can’t be done, but it was and you can do it too !! Love you man…you are the best !!!!!!!!
Your smile lit up the field as much as your amazing talent. I know your faith and joy will carry you and your family through now. You are blessed in that you have already touched so many lives in such a positive way. God bless you.
We are praying for you and all met fans are in your corner,you will always be a met.
I was thrilled when the Mets acquired you “way back when” – and you didn’t disappoint once you joined the Mets. I loved watching you play. Get well soon!
Kid,
It seems like yesterday you hit the home run off of Neil Allen. I was there for that, for Gary Carter Day at Shea and in Cooperstown when you were inducted into the HOF. Keep that always present positive attitude!
Gary I was at your first game as a Met on a cold afternoon at Shea Stadium and I will always remember the Homerun you hit off Neil Allen of the Cards to win it. Get well Soon Gary. You are a Good, Decent Man and one of my all time favorites. I’m praying for you.
You were the heart and soul of the 86 Mets! A true leader. A big part of my childhood growing up. Get well soon!!
Get well soon Kid! You were a huge part of my childhood. All Mets fans are pulling for you. You can do this!
Gary, thanks for all the wonderful memories and for the joy you brought us as a Met, as a Hall of Famer, and as a stand-up human being. These are trying times for you, but something tells me you will face them just as you faced the Red Sox pitching staff with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th. You will always be a hit Gary … God bless you!
Gary,
Wishing you nothing but support in your fight! You will always be my favorite player to ever wear a Mets uniform. Stay strong and continue to be the winner you always have been!
EF – NY, NY
Praying for and thinking of you Gary. You’ve always been one of my favorite players.
Gary – Living in a house with 3 generations of Mets fans you are among our favorite players in our team’s history. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. This is just another game for you to come back and win. We’ll be rooting for you every step of the way.
Gary – My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. If anyone can beat this – it is definitely YOU! I remember how you REFUSED to make the “final out” and look how 1986 turned out!
All the best – from a life-long Mets fan,
Debbie
GARY I WISH YOU THE BEST YOU’LL ALWAYS BE THE KID THAT BRINGS A BIG SMILE AND HARD PLAY TO EVERY GAME.
PRAYERS WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY GET WELL SOON
Get well Gary ….our thoughts and prays are with you!! be strong
hope u get well 1986 was one of my best years being a mets fan i been a fan for a long thanks to u we won get well real soon
Gary,Thanks for the memories of the 80’s you were a leader,fighter and survivor then and you are a FIGHTER NOW!!!!DON’T GIVE UP HOPE!!!May GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!!WE ARE PRAYING FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY here in PUERTO RICO!!!!GOD BLESS!!!
Best wishes, Gary. Get well and keep that smile. You’re the reason I decided to play ball and were the inspiration that got me through a lot of tough times as a player, and a person. Keep it goin’, Kid.
Dear Gary, We Mets fans have been praying for you, and sending you positive thoughts. If anyone can overcome this, it will be you. I remember “Game 6”, and I STILL believe in miracles. My Dad is going thru the same thing as you are, and like you, he’s a fighter. We love you Kid, and we thank you for making us all better people by your example. God bless you and your family.
Hit another HR Gary and smash the cancer out of teh ballpark.
You did a lot for the METS & your fans by your energy, compassion and drive.
May God watch over you & your family at this time
You helped shape my childhood Kid and I’ll never forget it. Praying for and thinking about you.
Cory
Get well Gary. We’re all rooting for you. All our best to you and your family in this tough time.
Smash your illness outta the park Kid, All the Best.
Get well, Gary. You were my favorite Met growing up, and I hope you beat this and have a speedy recovery. You fought not to make the last out in 86, I have no doubt you will fight again here!
My family and I are praying for you Gary. I spent many days from my childhood yelling your name and had posters of you and the 86 mets all over my room. I was crushed when I heard this news. I love you Gary.
God bless you Gary. I am praying for you. Thank you for being such a wonderful person and sharing your talents with us.
In a small Canadian province largely dominated by Jays fans, your trade from the Expos sparked a legion of Mets fans in a small Newfoundland town that stands strong to this day. Your second WS homerun over the Green Monster is the greatest homerun to this day for me – I have never seen so many hometown fans cheer an opposing player, a testament to just how many fans have cheered you worldwide. Our prayers are with you to overcome this latest obstacle. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Kid, Game 6, 1986 World Series, Bottom of the 10th, 2 out and NOBODY on. You met the challenge then and you WILL now. All MET FANS wish you a speedy recovery…
Get well Gary, i am only a kid, but i have still heard stories about your legacy and your greatness. I hope you feel better and hope you do well.
Dear Gary,
I wish you a speedy complete recovery. You of all people deserve only the very best. You are a 100% “Mensch”.
I don’t know if you remember when we met at the Hyatt Regency in Jerusalem about 13 years ago. You made such a huge impact on both me and my sister, who had never heard of you before that day. You were on your vacation, yet you went out of your way to get stationery to give an autograph, and then out of your way again to take a photo with me outside the hotel in front of the hotel sign – to commemorate the occasion! You have always been exactly that way, giving of yourself – even when it may have been inconvenient for you.
We’re all praying for you Kid!
With great respect and admiration,
Dan Cohen
Dear Gary,
I watched you over your career fight with guts and determination. You knew that Met pitching staff better than anyone. A pitcher is only as GREAT as his catcher. Gary may you and your family live everyday with great Hope and Possibility!
Fond Regards – A fellow Survivor – Carolyn Mazza
Gary, I wish you all the best. You are a hero on and off the field. I always admired you for the way you conducted yourself as a Met player. You never gave up and gave us Met fans wonderful memories. If our team now had half your determination and guts we would be on top. You are a class act. Please remember you are in my prayers. May best wishes to you and your family.
Hoping for a speedy recovery for an insirational champion and athlete!
Good Luck Gary,
Thank-You for all of the great memories. You are a hero on and off the field.
Gary I met you just after you were inducted in to the hall of fame. You were the a gentleman and a great person signing anything and everything. Get well soon and hope to see u manage in the bigs soon
Gary- May God bless you your family at this time of such great need. You have always been a role model for all in everything you do and were the heart and soul of the Mets when you were in NY. Please know that you are in the hearts, thoughts, and prayers of so many of us who care so much about you and your family. Thanks for being you!!
Martin
Gary I met you when i was 7 years old and you were so nice to me. I have been a huge met fan since 1987. Get well soon.
Get well soon Gary! You’re a true champion and you will prevail once again.Best of luck and a speedy recovery…
Get well Gary,
My Family and I are praying for you….get well and Best wishes to you!
Get well Gary… I’ll be keeping you in my prayers. Thank you for the wonderful memories.
You are one of my heros. I wish you all the best. I hope that you have a full recovery and you will once again be able to concentrate on baseball.
Get well Gary, We’re praying and rooting for you here in Kyoto Japan!
Get well soon! You’ll be around for the Mets next championship, and that could be awhile. In my prayers and my heart.
Get well Gary, you were my favorite player growing up. I even liked you when you were on the Expos and was overjoyed when you were traded to the Mets. Get well, best wishes.