Baseball Hall of Famer Gary Carter Dies at Age 57
Baseball Hall of Famer Gary Carter has died after a battle with brain cancer. The catcher, best known for his playing days with the New York Mets and Montreal Expos, was 57.
FOX News Radio’s Chris Foster reports:
His nickname: “The Kid.” Gary Carter came up with the Montreal Expos in 1974, becoming one of the best catchers in the National League over 19 seasons.
(Carter) “Merci beaucoup.”
…Thanking the Expos’ French-speaking fans at his Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 2003. Montreal traded Carter to the New York Mets.
(Carter) “The greatest thrill of my career certainly was that amazing ’86 World Series. Nothing will ever top that, and the memories will last forever.”
He finished his career with stops in Los Angeles, San Francisco, then back to Montreal, making 11 All-Star teams.
Chris Foster, FOX News Radio.
Those close to Carter have been releasing statements on his passing.
METS CHAIRMAN & CEO FRED WILPON, PRESIDENT SAUL KATZ AND COO JEFF WILPON
“On behalf of everyone at the Mets, we extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to Gary’s family — his wife Sandy, daughters Christy and Kimmy and son D.J. His nickname ‘The Kid’ captured how Gary approached life. He did everything with enthusiasm and with gusto on and off the field. His smile was infectious. He guided our young pitching staff to the World Series title in 1986 and he devoted an equal amount of time and energy raising awareness for a multitude of charities and community causes. He was a Hall of Famer in everything he did.”
METS GENERAL MANAGER FRANK CASHEN
“The genesis of the trade was that we wanted to add a big bat to the lineup. He did that right away, but perhaps more importantly was the way he handled our young pitchers. He was the perfect guy for so many reasons.”
METS MANAGER DAVEY JOHNSON
“Gary was a one-man scouting system. What people didn’t know was that he kept an individual book on every batter in the National League. He was the ideal catcher for our young pitching staff.”
DARRYL STRAWBERRY
“What he added to the team was character. His approach to the game was contagious. It spread to the rest of us. He helped each of us understand what it took to win.”
DWIGHT GOODEN
“I relied on Gary for everything when I was on the mound including location, what pitch to throw and when. Even when I didn’t have my best stuff, he found a way to get me through the game. He was just a warrior on the field.”
WALLY BACKMAN
“He was like a big brother to me. I always went to him for advice. No matter what time of day it was, he always had time for you.”
NYC MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG
“For Mets fans, Gary Carter was more than just a Hall of Fame catcher and slugger. He was a fan favorite – an on-the-field leader of a memorable championship team and an off-the-field philanthropist who gave back to the community, even long after his playing days ended. His clutch hitting ignited one of the most incandescent moments in New York sports history: the Mets’ improbable come-from-behind, extra-innings victory in the sixth game of the 1986 World Series. When he went into the Hall of Fame in 2003, he said, ‘I will always be a kid at heart.’ And he was. As a ballplayer and later as an education philanthropist, Gary exemplified the never-give-up spirit of our city – a spirit that ‘the Kid’ gallantly showed right up to the end. It’s why we’ll always remember him.”
