Posted on 02/16/2012 2:39:07 PM PST by John W
Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter died Thursday after a battle with brain cancer. He was 57.
Affectionately known as the “Kid” during his 19-season major league career, Carter was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2003, his sixth year on the ballot.
Carter was a career .262 hitter with 324 homers and 1,225 RBIs. He hit at least 20 homers in nine seasons and topped 100 RBIs four times, leading the National League in that category in 1984 when he drove in 106 runs.
Among catchers, Carter ranks third all-time in RBIs and games caught, and fifth homers and runs scored.
He was an 11-time All-Star, a three-time Gold Glove winner and a five-time Silver Slugger. Additionally he was named to the Sporting News NL All-Star team six times.
Carter was named the MVP of the 1981 and 1984 All-Star Games, and he was the starting catcher for the 1986 World Series champion New York Mets. In the team’s famous comeback in Game 6 of that World Series against the Boston Red Sox, it was Carter’s two-out hit that ignited the improbable rally and resulted in a come-from-behind 6-5 victory.
Carter was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive, fast-moving brain cancer, in May. About a week before the diagnosis, four small tumors were found on his brain after Carter had complained of experiencing confusion and fatigue.
Since that diagnosis, Carter’s family has maintained a blog, which they used to update the public on the Hall of Famer’s condition. On Jan. 21, Carter’s children accepted the Milton and Arthur Richman “You Gotta Have Heart” award for their father at the Baseball Writers of America awards dinner in New York. Those in attendance gave Carter’s two daughters and one son a lengthy standing ovation when they stepped on the stage.
“I'll be telling my Dad about that standing ‘O.’ He likes that a lot,” Kimmy Bloemers, Carter’s daughter told the audience, according to the New York Daily News.
Carter’s son, D.J., then read a statement prepared by his father: “I’ll always have a special place in my heart for the people and city of New York. I’ll never forget my first game in a Mets uniform on opening day in 1985 when I had the fortune of leading our team to victory over the St. Louis Cardinals with a 10th-inning walkoff home run. I still remember the feeling of riding in the World Series parade with over one million people lining the streets to celebrate our championship. I’ve always strived to put my heart and soul into everything I’ve done in my life. I want to wish all of you the very, very best and hope that the Mets win many more World Series championships.”
In mid-January, Carter’s doctors announced they had found new tumors on his brain. At that time, his family announced that his condition had taken a turn for the worse.
Carter was a third-round pick by the Montreal Expos in 1972 and made his major league debut in 1974. He was traded to the Mets prior to the 1985 season and played one season with the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers before finishing his career with the Expos in 1992.
Game Called. Across the field of play
the dusk has come, the hour is late.
The fight is done and lost or won,
the player files out through the gate.
The tumult dies, the cheer is hushed,
the stands are bare, the park is still.
But through the night there shines the light,
home beyond the silent hill.
Game Called. Where in the golden light
the bugle rolled the reveille.
The shadows creep where night falls deep,
and taps has called the end of play.
The game is done, the score is in,
the final cheer and jeer have passed.
But in the night, beyond the fight,
the player finds his rest at last.
Game Called. Upon the field of life
the darkness gathers far and wide,
the dream is done, the score is spun
that stands forever in the guide.
Nor victory, nor yet defeat
is chalked against the players name.
But down the roll, the final scroll,
shows only how he played the game.
-Grantland Rice
RIP Kid!!!
Is this Iowa? No Gary, you’re in Heaven.
Just saw this a few minutes ago on ESPN. RIP Gary Carter, cancer sucks.
I knew he was sick. God rest his soul. He was a fine man.
I wonder what’s become of Bill Buckner....
One time, when I was a kid, I sat next to his parents at Dodger Stadium when he was playing. They were incredibly nice. I’ve always heard such good things about Carter. Terribly sad.
As a Phillies fan I hated your clutch hitting and the way you called a game.RIP to a great player and a good man
He was still beloved in Montreal, even years after the Expos left.
Poor Gary rest in Peace good man.
He’s a minor league manager.
God bless him.
One of my favorite players. He had an incredible spirit and was a great ambassador for the game. I was so happy at the end of his career that he became a Giant even if it was only for one year. Loved to go out to the Stick to see him. Those were the days. God bless you Gary, you will be missed.
Don’t be surprised to see more of the 86 Mets go from cancer,liver failure and the like
Brain cancer? Yikes. RIP.
With his 2 out single he started off one of the greatest half innings in baseball history (unless you are a Red Sox fan of course)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t12qml7up-o
Mets power!!!
I thought he disappeared into thin air. It’s like he fell off the face of the earth.
No actually. Bobby Valentine mentioned that he wanted him for his bench coach this coming season, but went with Tim Bogar instead.
It does seem that a lot of ball players/managers get brain cancer, I can think of Dick Howser, Johnny Oates, Dan Quisenberry for starters.
I've read that Pilots have a high rate of brain cancer.
Similar to Pilots, Baseball players fly a lot.
RIP Gary Carter.
Cancer is taking too many people before their time.
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