Gary Carter (April 8, 1954 – February 16, 2012) was an American professional baseball catcher who spent most of his 19-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the Montreal Expos and New York Mets. Carter, nicknamed “the Kid” for his young energy, was an 11-time All-Star member of the Mets’ 1986 World Series championship team.
Carter was well-known throughout his career for his batting, defense, pitching abilities, and on-field leadership. He made critical contributions to the Mets’ World Series victory in 1986, including a 12th-inning single against the Houston Astros to win Game 5 of the NLCS and a 10th-inning single against the Boston Red Sox to spark a comeback rally in Game 6.
How did Gary Carter die?
Gary Carter was diagnosed with four malignant brain tumors in May 2011, after complaining of headaches and forgetfulness. Doctors determined that he had a grade IV primary brain tumor called glioblastoma multiforme. Doctors indicated Carter’s extremely aggressive cancer was inoperable, and he would have to endure alternative treatments to decrease his tumor.
On January 20, 2012, daughter Kimmy announced on her blog that an MRI had shown more lesions on her father’s brain. Carter did not miss opening day for the college baseball team he coached, despite being diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer.
Carter passed away on February 16, 2012, at the age of 57. Nine days later, the Mets announced they would wear a memorial patch in Carter’s honor during the 2012 season. The patch depicts a black home plate with the number 8 and the word “KID” inscribed. On the Mets’ opening day in 2012, the Carter family unveiled a similar design banner on Citi Field’s center field wall.
The NHL’s Montreal Canadiens, who had purchased the Expos’ mascot Youppi! and hung retired numbers in their arena following the Expos’ relocation to Washington, paid tribute to Carter on February 20, 2012, with a video montage and a moment of silence before a game against the New Jersey Devils.
During pre-game warm-ups, all Canadiens players wore number 8 Carter jerseys, while Youppi! appeared in an Expos outfit. Youppi! also wore a patch on his Canadiens shirt for the rest of the season, which had a white circle with a blue number 8 inside.
Tom Verducci, a longtime Sports Illustrated baseball reporter, remembered about Carter upon his death.
“Gary actually took a lot of grief from his teammates for being a straight arrow. It wasn’t the cool thing to do but on the same token, I think he actually served as a role model for a lot of these guys as they aged. He was the ballast of that team. They did have a lot of fun, there’s no question about that, but they were also one of the fiercest, most competitive teams I’ve ever seen and, obviously their comebacks from the ’86 postseason define that team. Carter was a huge part of that.”
At Carter’s burial service on February 24, 2012, Expo teammate Tommy Hutton mentioned Carter’s strong religion. Hutton described Carter’s three loves as his family, baseball, and God.
Faillon Street West in Montreal, near the former Jarry Park stadium, has been renamed Gary Carter Street in his honor.[59]
On March 28, 2014, before the opening pitch of an exhibition game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Mets at Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Quebec, a banner was erected in Carter’s honor.
Carter’s widow Sandy and daughter Kimmy were present on the field for an emotional video tribute and the unveiling of the “Merci!” banner on the outfield wall. Thank You!” and has an image of a baseball overlaid with Carter’s retired number 8.
