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 may have never seen you play but being a huge met fan I have a shirt with your name on it and was very excited when you decided to manage the LI Ducks Please Get Well Soon
MAY ALL MY PRAYS BE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. ALWAYS KEEP ON FIGHTING.
OUR DESTINY IS IN GOD’S HANDS…HAVE FAITH AND BELIEVE IN YOURSELF. BELIEVE IN GOD AND THE POWER OF THINKING POSITIVELY,…IT IS NOT THE END…FIND THE STRENGTH TO GO ON, BECAUSE IT IS NOT THE END BY ANY MEANS…DON’T LET THIS OBSTACLE ON THE ROAD GET TO YOU…PLEASE FIGHT IT AND YOU WILL WIN, JUST LIKE YOU WON FOR US IN 86…IT SEEMED IMPOSSIBLE THEN, BUT YOU MADE IT HAPPEN FOR US…WITH GOD’S HELP YOU WILL MAKE IT HAPPEN AGAIN.
Gary,
You touched our hearts with your inspired play and outstanding leadership. Keep the positive attitude and you will persevere.
Gary,
Thanks for all the happiness you gave me during your time with the Mets. I will never forget the 1986 World Championship season. You are always in my thoughts and prayers. Get well soon. I hope to see you out at Citi Field!
Darren DeVivo
Gary you are a total winner. You will win this battle. You are a great person and very respected.
Gary, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you go through this difficult time. We are pulling for you and know that you are a winner and will pull through. Keep a positive attitude . Thanks for all the memories from the 86 season.
Gary,
You are loved. Let that be a source of strength! Fast recovery!
Get well soon Gary, our hearts and prayers are with you.
Me and my family will never forget the great moments that you gave us. we will never forget you, and our prayers are with you and your family. Stay strong Hall of famer. God bless.
Get well Gary. You and your family are in my heart, my thoughts and my prayers. All Mets fans are praying for you. Stay strong, stay positive. God Bless you and your family.
“Ya gotta believe” you will get better.
Gary, you helped create some of the best memories of my childhood! The Mets and NYC in the 80s wouldn’t have been the same without you. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Gary, you are a model to so many. I remember with joy many a beloved NY Mets memory in which you played a central role. God bless you as you now fight your greatest fight. God’s grace be with you to lift you up.
beautifully written!
Gary, A positive attitude is one of the most important things to have on your side…you lead with that. You will be in my prayers. You and Mex were my favorite players on those great, fun teams of the 80’s. God Bless you.
I hope you pull through this, I’m only 13, but I’ve heard about what you’ve done for the Mets. Stay strong.
Kid if anybody can beat this thing…it’s you! You are the best and gave us so much as a Met. Attack this cancer like you played baseball and you will win!! You can do it!
God Bless and get well soon…stay frosty my friend.
All of my thoughts and prayers are with you always.
Kid if anybody can beat this thing…it’s you! God Bless and get well soon…stay frosty my friend.
All of my thoughts and prayers are with you always.
Good luck, Gary on your fight. You are a winner, and I know you’ll battle your illness with the same spirit that you had as a player. Best wishes!
Good Luck Gary. You can do this!
you came to the mets helped make us a winner..they said it could not be done………..now we are on your team and say we will make you a winner and help you beat cancer…
Good Luck !
You can win this too! Don’t give up and we won’t either. We are praying for you with all our hearts.
god bless you and your family at this time.
The Lord be with you.
Our family have you in their prayers Gary. What I always remember about you is your smiling positive way. This will help though this next challenge.
get well soon gary! our prayers are with you and your family….<3
Gary if there is anyone out there who can fight this, it is YOU! All of New York is pulling and praying for you. We love you and expect to see you at Citifield soon to throw out the first pitch. Let’s Go Gary! xoxoxo LisaMetsFan
START THAT RALLY KID ! GODBLESS
I was 8 years old when my uncle took me to an autograph signing with Gary Carter and other Mets. Gary not only signed my baseball, but helped me over the table and took the time to take a photo of him and I. I still have that photo 31 years later. Thank you for that memory and many other childhood memories from Shea. The best wishes to you and your family during this tough time.
Gary, Our prayers and thoughts are with you. The heart and soul of the late 80’s teams, including the World Champion 1986 Mets, as co captain. Keep fighting and never give up, we are here for you. Ya gotta believe, Miracles happen! Once a Met, Always a Met!
Dear Gary….You were the heart and soul of the ’86 World Series Mets Team and I know you will fight to win this battle too, as the true champion you are. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. May God Bless You and keep you strong!
Get well soon Gary… we’re all rooting for you!
Get well. I remember countless times leaving Shea with the crowd chanting Gary, Gary, Gary all the way out to the parking lot. Thanks for the memories.
Kid,
I remember your first game like it was yesterday Neil Allen tried to throw you something with a wrinkle down and away. You went down and got it. I knew right then and there that it wasn’t “Same old Mets”
Love you man!!
Thinking of you, and wishing the best for you and your family.
Thinking of you and wishing the best to you and your family.
Good Luck Kid!!!! You helped make the dreams of an entire nation of Mets fans come true. I can only pray and hope that your’s come true in this battle against cancer….
You and your family are in my prayers. I just finished chemotherapy for NHL and it is a tough road, but you are a tough guy with many routing for you. God bless.
Gary,
God bless you and your family during this difficulty time.
I hope you find comfort in knowing that you have a lot of people praying for you.
Sincerely,
John Scipione
Hershey, PA
Get well soon KID, Mets fans and baseball world Love you very much, God Bless.
Gary, we love you, and we are here for you. A speedy recovery.
Gary, you are the best of what baseball means to us. A speedy recovery to you. And come back to New York!
I was never a fan of the National League, but there were a few guys there, like this kid Carter, playing the game up in Montreal, that are worth diverting my attention to during the 11 o’clcok news. FAST FORWARD: I never really watched the All-Star game… Then tonight I decide to watch it and that Carter kid rocks two homers. “Nice job!”. FAST FORWARD: I grew up in the greater NYC area. I never really liked the Mets… Now they are playing Boston in the World Series… I fugure I will root for the home town team from across the miles, as I was deployed. Hey! There’s “The Kid” again! This time he’s smacking homers over the Green Monster. WOW! FAST FORWARD: Today on Facebook I am signing a Well wish for that kid… That kid out of Montreal… That kid that hit all those homeruns… That kid I rooted for in a League I usually didn’t notice until October… That kid enshrined in the H.o.F. … Gary, I know you can not read all of these postings, but I wish you well, with all that I am. LIVESTRONG!
Gary, Praying for you and your family and you know you have the “GREAT PHYSICIAN” WITH YOU! May God be Glorified during this time!
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Get well soon Gary!
LETS GO METS
I wish you the best of luck in your recovery Gary. You were THE MAN back in the Eighties! Thanks for starting the winning rally against the Red Sox. We will see you soon at Citi Field.
get well Gary, Boynton Beach Fire department is pulling for you,
You were my idol while growing up. I chose #8 as my little league number and was a catcher just like you. I commend you, not only for your talent, but for your leadership abilities. My prayers and best wishes are with you and your family.
Get well Gary! You will always be a champion in NY and in our hearts!
Get well soon Gary, you’re in my thoughts and prayers.
Get well Gary, all of baseball is pulling for you!
My prayers are with and your family. Stay strong and positive.
God Bless you.