Ultimate Mets Database - Memories of Gary Carter

wallstreet
Field level boxes, 1984, I leaned over the rail and said to Carter, "Please come to the Mets! Let's go to a World Series!"

Gary was standing in front of a group of Montreal players, not in their fold, and there was a magic moment. I paid close attention to Gary's eyes and could see the engine running after I made the plea.

The group of Expos scoffed at me when they heard my alms to Gary. And Gary did not join their group but continued down the line.

I knew he knew that a World Series ring was in the cards if he came to New York. When the acquisition of Carter came for real, I knew Mets were for real.

Gary's glove, leadership, arm, and clutch hitting put the Mets in contention the day he signed. The other benefit was that the Mets no longer had to play against him. Probably one of the biggest and baddist Met killers of all time.

The Mets picked up at least 5 games in the win column because we no longer had to face him any more.

Adam Locascio
I remember the World Series in 1986 (who doesn't) when the Mets were down 2-0 and were in Boston. Carter hit 2 HRs over the Green Monster to help the Mets get their first win in the series.

Then in game 6, Carter came up in the bottom of the 10th after Backman and Hernandez flied out and singled over the shortstop to start the rally that was probably the most dramatic World Series game in history.

Gary... you were and still are my favorite ball player of all time... if I had to pick a catcher for my baseball team, I'd want you behind the plate above everyone else. I hope you get to the Hall of Fame cause I'll make the trip to Cooperstown.

eri
I will never forget the single in game 6 in 86. My god, I thought he was gonna make the last out. I was such a wreck, but they pulled through in such a dramatic Mets-like way.

Blade
Lets hear it for the Kid! This guy was a winner, and gave the Mets credibility when he joined the team in 1985. My favorite memory of him was when he hit a game winning home run in the 10th inning of the 85 season opener - his first game as a Met! Then Ralph Kiner had him on Kiner's Korner, and kept calling him "Gary Cooper". Carter didn't complain though, he just smiled and went along with it, and I knew then he was the perfect fit for the Mets! Way to go Kid!

Jen
Some Yankee fan said Gary would take a curtain call for a sac fly. He's right. But that's what makes the Kid so cool. The guy loved to get the fans and his teammates pumped up. A real ball player if I ever saw one.

David Williams
I can remember I was on Guard duty the night of game 6. I was listening over the radio and the Mets were down to one strike with two outs. My heart was pounding 4,000 beats per minute I was so nervous. Then Carter singled and the rest was history.

matt
By far one of the greatest Mets players. Hard work, great attitude, clutch hits. We'll never forget Gary Carter.

Mr. Sparkle
Despite Gary's infatuation with himself I loved this guy. He always gave 100% and was a pretty clutch player. If Ray Knight didn't win the MVP of the series in 86, Gary would have. He deserves to be in the hall of fame. Hopefully he'll be there. He's the man!

Carmine
I was nine years old when the Mets went to the series in 1986. My mother wanted to send me to bed when the second out was recorded in the sixth game of the series. I knew that Carter would come through like he always did. His single started the rally of the best baseball game I have ever seen. Gary is the man.

ERIC RHINESMITH
January 17, 2001
I will never visit the hall of fame again if they don't put carter in. Best all around catcher in Mets history and in baseball history in general. Ultimate gamer, great attitude, clutch like nobody's business. my best memory are his 2 homers against boston in '86. worst memory is when the Mets put a "c" (captain) on the chest of that pretty boy, coke-snortin', smokin' in the dugout, vanity stricken jerk-off actin' hernandez's chest instead of "the kid". What an insult, carter was the field general, no question. I met him once when I was a kid. Nice guy. It's not his fault he played for the expos.

EG
March 18, 2001
I remember when the trade was made, my friends and I started celebrating in college, that we just won the WS. Only off by one year.

Jackie U.
March 19, 2001
I remember the rap on Gary was that he only played hard when the cameras were on him. "Camera Carter" they called him. But since every game from April to October was televised, the cameras were ALWAYS on him. I guess that means he played hard all the time. And as I recall, he did. He was fun to watch. I really enjoyed his enthusiasm.

Mrs. Met
April 9, 2001
Gary always gave 100%, and wanted to win more than anybody. He gave us the 86 World Series...determination and guts is what he was made of. He should be in the hall of fame....hope he goes in as a Met!

Linda Santanelli
April 29, 2001
Today, April 29,2001, I met Gary Carter at a baseball show at Resorts Casino in Atlantic City, NJ. He could not have been more personable and friendly. He autographed a picture to me and even took a picture with me. I, too, like every one else was jumping out of my skin during Game 6 of the 1986 World Series when Gary started the rally that catapulted the Mets into Game 7.

Erik
May 2, 2001
Gary you were a true leader for the Mets, never could have won in 86 without you. Behind the plate you were awesome, throwing out base runners, handling the pitchers, they must have been happy to take the calls from you. On offense you were our center piece, whenever we needed a big hit, you got, thanks for the memories Gary Carter you are the reason why I have become such a big Mets fan.

Michele
May 20, 2001
Gary Carter is what a baseball player should be. He had awesome talent,true but he is all guts. The man wanted to win! He is a true leader, all the stuff said about him from Montreal was a bunch of nonsense..He was a winner and proved it while with the Mets. Without him no championship..Deserves to be in the HOF. Piazza might put up better numbers, but Carter is by far the best catcher the Mets ever had.

joanie
May 25, 2001
He was a great catcher, and a great team player.off the field or on the field he was there for his team and teamates. I would love to see him return as a coach. I wonder where he is now and what he is doing

Jose Otero
June 18, 2001
As a small child. I idolized Gary Carter. Back in the day he was he man. In Little Leauge I wore number 8 because of him. Now I wish when he goes to the Hall Of Fame, he goes in as a Met.

murphy
June 26, 2001
I hated Gary Carter as an Expo. It seemed like he just ate the Mets pitching staff for lunch. Bang, the trade happens, and he immediately showed me why the Expos fans loved the guy. He got the name as a "me first" player who mugged for the camera, but Carter gave every ounce of himself to win. There was nothing more pathetic than watching the injuries take their toll on him, being reduced to a limping shell of his former self that couldn't hit the curve. It was sad, but the Gary Carter of 1986 will always be my one of my all time favorite players (behind Keith, of course).

kinerskorner
July 2, 2001
i had a dream last night that I was watching a 2001 Mets game, and there was some situation requiring a pinch hitter (i dont remember details, having been asleep, obviously) and gary carter came out of the dugout and pinch hit. im not sure what is more pathetic:the fact that I was actually dreaming about this or the fact that the team is so uninspired this year that he would probably help at 50 or so years old. in any case, kid we love you and you belong in the hall of fame.

Jennifer
July 24, 2001
I have loved Gary Carter ever for 15 years now. I remember watching game 4 of the '86 World Series and Gary hit 2 home runs over the Green Monster. I asked my dad who that awesome player is, and I awed. My friends laugh at me because when everyone had pictures of movie stars and actors on their walls, I had Gary Carter pictures, posters, dolls, cards, book, etc. and still do to this day. I was fortunate enough to meet him 5 years ago in Queens. I knew that when I met him, I would either not like him at all or love him more than ever. He was the NICEST man, and, of course, got right up for a picture. I finally got to have him sign his book. I also wrote him a letter about the death of my younger sister, to which he responded three weeks later--a handwritten letter with many words of encouragement. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to meet him this month when he was on LI, but I will be forever grateful to my lifetime idol. I will be there when he gets inducted into the Hall of Fame...it will happen! His spirit, dedication, and love for God, his family, and the game are second to none.

Joe Figliola
August 14, 2001
So many memories... where do I begin? Running down the stairs in my parents house in Dec., 1984 and calling my friend Jimmy to announce the deal and proclaim that "the Mets have won the 1985 pennant"... The home run off Neil Allen in his first game in blue and orange... The Newsday commercial where he proclaimed "Gee, it's great to be in New York"... Five home runs in two games against San Diego in Sept., 1985... a Saturday game against the Padres at Shea in 1986 when I screamed in the bottom of the eighth, "COME ON, GARY, HIT A HOME RUN SO MY FRIEND CAN LEAVE KNOWING THE METS ARE WINNING!" and he came through!... breaking a 1-for-21 slide in the playoffs in Houston with that game-winning single in game five. . . "You call any more fastballs and we'll fight."... those two homers he belted in Fenway during game four of the 1986 World Series... the frustrating two months before he hit that elusive 300th homer in 1988... a 13-6 Met win on a frigid Saturday at Shea in Sept. 1989 when Carter went 4-for-5 and everyone who was trying to stay warm (myself included) ran out every time he came to bat... all the fist-pumping and hard-slappin' high-fives... NEED I SAY MORE?

Gary Carter is a good man, a Hall of Famer, and an individual who truly bleeds Mets colors. I was there when he was inducted into the Mets' Hall of Fame, and you can be sure that everyone attending was as emotional as he was during his acceptance speech.

During his speech, he guaranteed that the Mets would win a World Series soon. Now, I ask you, would you go against anything "Kid" would say?

Jared
August 19, 2001
The first player that I ever really idolized. And nothing is more exciting for an 8-year-old kid to see his favorite player pull through in the clutch the first time he attends a game at Shea. On a bitterly cold September day game back in 89', Carter went 3 of 5 and knocked in 5 runs to help the Mets come from behind to beat the Montreal Expos...My most memorable experience at Shea, besides the come-from-behind victory off of John Rocker in Game 4 of the NLCS in 99'.

With any luck, Gary will soon be enshrined in the Hall of Fame where he so rightfully belongs. I'm very glad that ESPN is his number one backer and I hope that causes a few more votes to be swayed during next year's HOF voting.

Delmar Israel
August 23, 2001
Gary Carter was who I idolized growing up. I was also a catcher for my home town baseball team, and the player and person Gary Carter was is truely remarkable. Every little leaguer should strive to be like Gary Carter on and off the field. He deserves to be in the hall of fame. Bob Costas said on his HBO sports show that Gary Carter is the ONE player he thinks most deserves to be in the hall that is not. Go Mets!!!!

David Mo
January 8, 2002
Gary Carter got shafted again by the Hall of Fame voters. How can they justify keeping him out of the Hall? Carlton Fisk' may have had a LONGER career, but Carter had a BETTER career. Carter won more Gold Gloves than Fisk (3-1), had more 100-RBI seasons (4-2), had more 20-homer seasons (9-8), started more All-Star games (8-7) and owns more World Series Championship rings (1-0).

David M.
January 10, 2002
I remember how he turned around the 1986 Series with the Game 4 home runs. I remember the freezing cold game in '89 as his last hurrah as his skills were declining. Most of all, he was the anti-Gooden and Strawberry, a good upstanding citizen. Maybe if there were more Gary Carters on the Mets from 1985-1990, we would have had a title or two more.

Gary Carter is a Hall of Famer.

Shorty
January 11, 2002
Better than Fisk. Never saw Yogi or Campy play so I can't say. Only Bench is head and shoulders above him in my opinion. Writers....put him in the Hall! Mets.......retire the number 8!

When you think about the eighties and all the talented players that underachieved an would rather party, booze, womanize and drug it up than win multiple World Series titles, you cant blame the Kid.

Christopher
January 16, 2002
The only major league baseball I was ever able to get from a player came from the hands of Gary Carter. After a rain delay during a 1987 game, I was with some friends just behind the first base dugout. Carter and Bill Almon are having a catch and just as they finish, a large group of fans ask Carter for the ball. Well, me having my #8 Carter jersey on, I strip it right off and start waving it towards Gary. Luckily my voice was loud enough for Carter to walk right past the other group of fans, look me dead in the eye and just flip me the ball right into my hands. I threw my jersey down as if not to care one bit about it, turned to my friends and start screaming jubilantly. My friends that I was with couldn't believe it and screamed right along with me. It was one of the greatest thrills I've ever had at a ballgame. Thanks Gary! You were the Mets #1 Class Act!

revolve
February 1, 2002
It's an absolute crock that Kid isn't in the Hall. I'll never forget how happy he was after a Met win-- all those times he'd run out and hug Doc to punctuate another great pitching performance. So many memories come to mind. I remember a game in April of '88, when he got off to a hot start (needed 9 homers for 300, and sat on 8 for about 4 months). Anyway, he won the game for the Mets in the bottom of the ninth on an opposite field job that hit the screen of the foul pole right in the loge section right in front of me, leaving a dent. I'll also never forget that homer off of Neil Allen to beat the hated Cards on opening day '85, and that single up the middle in Game 5 of the '86 LCS to win the game. Great player. Great heart. Great enthusiasm. Wish there were more like him. It was sad to watch his skills fade.

Ray
February 18, 2002
I work in Home Depot in the West Palm Beach area, and Gary lives nearby. I've seen him at the store a couple of times. I spoke with him the last time, telling him that I'm a life-long Met fan, and a big fan of his. Well, I gotta tell you, he talked my ear off about baseball for about ten minutes. I finally had to excuse myself to go help a customer (damn!). He's a great guy.

Danny Erickson
March 10, 2002
A real American hero. What you see is what you get with "The Kid". He was enthusiastic playing the game and he is enthusiastic meeting his fans.

Jim Snedeker
March 11, 2002
I think Carter's clean, exuberant style of play and living annoyed some people. But he got the job done, and how.

I remember him doing a TV commercial for Ivory soap where he was saying how Ivory didn't have all the extra colors and perfumes that the other soaps had--"I don't want all that stuff all over me. Buy Ivory--it's an HONEST clean." What a perfect person to endorse that product!

In 1992 I went to the sports mall known as Olympic Stadium to see the Spos play, and Gary was catching. I went down to the field level during BP and called to Gary. He ignored me, so I waved my Mets cap at him. He still ignored me. I guess he didn't want to be distracted from getting mentally prepared for the game.

Oh well, I still got some nice photos of him warming up, and also a shot of the back of his head during the National Anthem(s). He had a nice set of curly red locks then.

Larry Burns
May 24, 2002
Camera Carter, concerned only with himself? Nonsense--this guy was the ultimate team player--the fact that other guys could not relate to a clean living, non-crack smoking normal guy is a testament to the warped morality infecting most professional athletes. Everyone said that it was an act. When Mookie got hit in the face and his glasses broke during Spring Training (glass near his eye---it was a scary baseball accident) Carter ran to him, never cursed and was sincerely worried. During Game 6, he was not in the locker room nursing a beer, ala Keith Hernandez (I love Keith, but that is a disappointing story). Finally don't ever forget that the Brooks for Carter trade is the one that put the Mets over the top---Go Gary, now someone do him justice and put him in the Hall of Fame.

Robert
September 10, 2002
Even before the dream season of 1986, I would remember watching Gary Carter catch every game in the 1985 pennant stretch with a knee that was in need of sugery, while Straw took himself out of the lineup against John Tudor after being seen on the 5 o'clock news working on a rap record in a studio that same afternoon.

C Church
September 30, 2002
He played hurt, lived clean and brought a championship to the Mets. He is also just as good (if not better) than anyone else from his generation. He deserves to be in the Hall-of-Fame, shoulda been a first ballot inductee. Gary, if you read this, you were one of the players that made baseball special. You were certainly a terrific ambassador for the game, and all the memories you provided will never be forgotten.

Also, the best catcher in Expos AND Mets history...

NL
October 13, 2002
This Hall of Fame denial thing is a rip-off, and it's obviously related to something about Carter's personality that some baseball writers didn't like. How else to explain it? The guy was the catcher everyone feared during his prime, he's got the homers, RBIs and a championship, and he never behaved like those drug addicts and criminals that sporstwriters love giving 8th and 9th chances to.

I don't really care if he'd go in as a Met or an Expo (though as a Met would definitely be fun), he just deserves to go - he's already given Met fans enough. I was at the '86 Mookie/Bill game, and while the grounder is what we remember, it was Carter who refused to make the last out earlier in the inning.

Mike Fertoli
December 14, 2002
Gary Carter... Man... what can I say? The man embodied all that I like about the Mets. He played hard, never gave in, rallied the team, and rallied the fans. Granted, I was only three when the Mets won in '86, but Gary Carter has been, and always will be, the greatest player in my mind. I played little league, junior, and high school baseball, and ALWAYS, ALWAYS, snagged number 8. The man embodied baseball, and played it as it should be played. Its a disgrace that he's yet to be in the Hall. Regardless, the fans will always love him.

None
January 2, 2003
Gary Carter was a great catcher and a very powerful hitter. He led the Mets to a great 1986 World Series. Cathing is a very tough position to play: behind the plate, and especially at bat. Carter ended up one of the best hitting catchers ever, with homers and R.B.I. that top almost any catcher. Where's his Hall Of Fame plaque?

Dave Folsom
January 7, 2003
I became a big Met fan in May 1986 when I was eight years old. My mom was a fan too and her favorite Met was Gary Carter. For us, Gary Carter represented the 1986 Mets. She passed away of cancer that December but we'll have our Met memories forever. Gary and the Mets got me through that difficult time - proof that baseball is more than just a game - it can influence our lives in a positive way, and Gary represents that for me.

ETCH 35
January 8, 2003
Justice is served! Gary is in the Hall and no matter what hat they put on his plaque, we all know he's a Met. From day one he did it for us and from that day in April 1985 (when he hit the game winning homer against the Cards), he was my favorite player of all time. They don't make 'em like Gary anymore. The Catcher, the Field General, the Moral leader on a team full of guys who were less than great role models. I imagine it was hard traveling with the hard partying Mets of those days being a Christian. But in the long run I guess it pays off. Remember all those great players from '86? I thought many would end up in the Hall of Fame someday. But they chose the wrong path. I was 10 years old when Gary joined the Mets and you know what...He never let me down. Doc did. Darryl broke my heart. I saw Keith smoking in the dugout. Many others on that team had scrapes with the law and trouble with alcohol, etc. I think Kevin Mitchell was a gang banger for cryin' out loud! But The Kid was a rock behind the plate, and a perfect role model in every way. I met him in 1988 when I was 13 and he was just as nice and accomidating as he seemed to be in those Ivory soap commercials. His stats speak for themselves...He dominated the catcher position for most of the '80s. But I will remember him most as the last piece of the puzzle for the '86 championship team. So with all that said, please retire #8 Mr. Wilpon...He's the last of the true good guys.

Andy from Rego Park
January 8, 2003
A gamer. Pure and simple, Gary Carter played baseball with joy, passion and enthusiasm. He was also a great two-way catcher who could hit for power, drive in runs and had a gun for an arm. His election to the Hall of Fame is well deserved and long over-due. Congratulations Kid! You've earned it.

As for the cap? It might be heresy here in Ultimate Mets-ville, but only a fraction of career was spent excelling for the Mets... he should go into the hall with that weird Montreal Expos Baseball/Edward M. Bronfman logo on his hat. A monument to what once was in Montreal.

Mr. Sparkle
January 9, 2003
It's about time! Thank God Gary finally made it to the Hall. It is definitely overdue. Gary says, "I know that I am worthy." So he's still full of himself but I don't care, he's still a great all-timer to me. I was there on opening day 85 when he hit the game winner off of our old friend Neil Allen. The place went nuts and I'll never forget that day. I can still see the ball going into the picnic area. Gary was so clutch. I remember his game winning hit in the NLCS which went up the middle. I think the hit ended a tough slump for him. He went on to have a great World Series. Remember the 2-homer game in Boston? Looking at his stats I don't remember him having such a poor 1988 but he apparently struggled that year. I remember the way he used to pull up his short sleeves when batting. I do that sometimes and think about the Kid. Gary will always be an all-time great. I'd love to see him wear a Mets hat in Cooperstown but it probably won't be. That's OK, he's still a true blue Met. Long live Gary Carter!

Gary's Girl 8
August 2, 2003
July 28, 2003 Just returned home from the HOF induction ceremony! What a great day! As ever, Gary was pumped and got the crowd pumped too..."Is this exciting or what? Can you feel it?", he inquired! It's nice to know that my children and their children will know what a decent person and tremendous leader he is and what an awesome ball player he was. Yesterday ranked up there with my '86 memories.

Tino Vieitez
October 3, 2003
The biggest memories that I have about Gary Carter are as follows. The night that he was traded to the Mets in December 1984, my friends and I were at a bar watching Monday Night Football. During one of the commercial breaks, one of the Channel 7 newscasters announced that "the Mets acquired one of the greatest players in baseball", but did not say who it was. What occurred then was a mad scramble between my friend and I to find out who it was. Some of the bar patrons that we asked had no idea who it was. We then scraped up money to call Sportsphone, only to find that the pay phone didn't work. Finally, one of the bartenders said that he thought it was Carter. Our reaction was "Joe Carter???" (who at the time was still an unproven player with the Cubs). Then he said it was Gary Carter. We could not believe it. Our experience was that Mets would always acquire the wrong player (in 1983 when the Mets acquired Hernandez, we thought it was Willie Hernandez not Keith). When it was confirmed, we were ecstatic. After many years of suffering with losing Met teams, we could finally see a world championship in sight.

My other great Gary Carter memory was being present with my brother at opening day 1985 and watching pandamonium break lose when he hit that dramatic game winning home run in the bottom of the tenth (especially after most of our friends left after the ninth inning to catch the bus home). Thankyou Gary Carter.

CEO62
December 14, 2003
I met Gary Carter at a baseball card shop in NJ when I was 11 in 1989. Since I was on my way to a little league game afterwards, I had my uniform on. After waiting in a line that extended seemingly forever, I met my all-time favorite Met and handed him my ball to sign. He smiled at me and asked if I was on my way to a game. I shook his hand and told him to hit a home run for me. He laughed and told me to hit one for him. Later that night I hit a grounder down the third base line into the outfield and turned into a typical little league "home run", through the outfielders legs, bounced around in the corner for a bit, and I somehow made it home. As for his home run, well, he went on the DL for about 2 months. Sorry Gary...

Jonathan Stern
September 12, 2004
Yesterday, with typical brashness, Kid declared that he could manage the 2005 Mets and was interested in the job. It is still 2004, Howe is still the manager, and he has not been fired yet. There is a possibility, though, that Carter, a current Mets employee, could be hit with a fine.

I have always been willing to dismiss the charges of phoniness and self-promotion levied against The Final Piece of the Puzzle by teammates and media types, given his obvious enthusiasm, his hard-work ethic, 1986, and his consistently good behavior with the fans. The positives far outweighed the negatives. But really, Carter's behavior the other day was about as phony and shamelessly self-promoting as it gets.

DT
December 21, 2005
Never was a fan. Didn't like him when he played against the Mets and didn't care for him when he was on the team. Let's put aside the goody two shoes stuff, and his heroics upon joining the team - after one year did anyone, ever, hit the ball on the ground more then Carter? Ever? But here is the one thing that kept me awake at night about him in the late 80's and troubles me to this day: If Gary Carter was stealing 2nd base, could Gary Carter throw him out? It's a paradox, I tell ya. Anyone who can remember 1987 and 1988 would have to agree.

Inz 41
December 28, 2005
Gary Carter always played hard. You can't take that from him and that earns him a lot of respect. Whether he made the difference on the Mets, who were on the verge of great things anyway after a promising 1984, I really don't think so.

I can't help but think the Mets would have been better for a longer period of time if they had just kept Mike Fitzgerald at catcher and had Hubie Brooks at shortstop all those years. Brooks was a 100 RBI guy several years with Montreal, Fitzgerald a good defensive catcher who could throw and hit in the clutch. As a Met Carter had 2 good years and then nothing. He declined rapidly after 1986. In 1987 he hit about .235. He only hit higher than .255 once with the Mets, in 1985.

Then, he was embarrassing himself just trying to hit his meaningless-to-everyone-but-him, 300th lifetime home run. He was stuck on 299 for months. The sad thing is Met fans get on Mike Piazza for his throwing, but Carter was worse. The joke was Gary Carter couldn't throw out Nell Carter.

It's hard to believe he's in the Hall of Fame and Keith Hernandez is not. Hernandez was a huge force on offense and defense. Carter was never a dominant defensive catcher.

His ego was another story. In typical Carter style, when Hernandez was made team captain in '87 or '88, Carter sulked and resented it. So, to make Carter happy, he named him co-captain in '89. Pathetic.

With the pitching and talent they had, the Mets should have won more than just one world championship. I tend to believe Carter was more of a hinderance than a help after '86, and the Mets would have gotten more productive years from Brooks.

Mr. Sparkle
February 22, 2006
Gary is in my favorite Met picture of all time. I love the look on his face when he is coming out of the dugout to swarm Ray Knight with the rest of the team after Mookie's hit in game 6. The grin on his face is enormous. You gotta love that picture. Sheer Met joy!

agee_of_aquarius
March 19, 2006
Gary played through more pain than any of you Mets fans can imagine. He never made an excuse. If you guys had to go to work with the pain Gary did, you would cut him some major slack. Please cut him that slack now.

Chris
April 19, 2006
Game six. 10th inning. my stomach hurts and I feel sick. two outs and things looking hopeless. Gary Carter singles and stands on 1st - pumps his fist and claps - I looked at him and said to my brother "like it matters" - how wrong I was. Thank you Gary Carter - you made the Series happen.

Winton Hancock
August 2, 2006
Every longtime Mets fan remembers the Mets miraculous comeback in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series. One of my best memories of Gary Carter was that he actually started that rally, by hitting a single off an 0-2 pitch with 2 outs, trailing in the game by 2 runs, and trailing in the Series 3-2, with no one on base.

We all know the Mets went on to win the game and the Series, but oh how close to they came to losing it, had it not been for Gary's courage to get it going. I even remember seeing a picture taken behind home plate which showed a message on the scoreboard saying something like, "Congratulations Boston Red Sox - 1986 World Series Champions." That never happened, and Gary Carter gave us a great example of what it means to never give up. Thanks Gary!

Wally Dykstra
August 2, 2006
Can't recall a guy losing his power so fast as Gary did. As I recall, he reached 299 HRs and was hitting fine that season up until that point and then suddenly he couldn't hit it out anymore. It was clearly mental, but then after he got his 300th, he still couldn't hit it out anymore. It was really weird.

I also recall that Gary did an extremely low budget TV advertisement back in the day for "Northville detergent rich gas." Anybody remember it? Must have been the greatest ad of all time since I still remember it after almost 20 years (thinking of Gary singing "NORTH -- VILLE detergent rich gas!), and I still don't know who Northville is or was.

My little sister watched the '86 season highlight video with disturbing frequency (she was but 4 years old in 86) deep into the '90s. They had a little segment in there highlighting the true grit of Gary and Keith that was played to the tune of "Like a Rock." That was the worst part of the video.

Joe From Jersey
August 6, 2006
There were two leaders of that 1986 team; Keith with that urban grit and intensity and Gary with that mega-watt smile and enthusiasm. My two favorite Carter moments was the '85 home opener Walk Off HR vs Neil Allen and the Cards and Game 5 of the NLCS at Shea when he almost made that lunatic Astros reliever Charlie Kerfeld look like Charlie Brown with the game winning hit.

I can still remember his commericial for Ivory soap and this woman I knew at the time had a major crush on him and she always told me that they didn't show enough of Gary if you know what I mean. I'd roll my eyes every time she would say that.

I still have a July issue of Sports Illustrated where they covered every major league baseball game on Father's Day 1987. They covered Gary from having breakfast with his wife Sandy and his 3 kids to going to Shea (He didn't play that day) to going home and hanging out with his family. Looking back at that issue, it's amazing that he's now a GRANDFATHER. Boy, I'm getting old.

Paul_Harris
July 21, 2007
I'm not that much older than Gary Carter. I moved to Daytona Beach Bike Week of 1974. I remember watching Gary when he was with the Montreal Expos. They used to play at a somewhat crude ball field in City Island (Daytona Beach). This was back before Jackie Robinson Stadium was ever thought of. What's become of City Island does not impress me the least. What's become of Gary Carter does impress me. He was good then and with age has improved. That's not the case with City Island in Daytona Beach.

Tom Quinn
October 19, 2007
The Kid was the key to the '86 championship. I remember watching the news on Channel 4 when they teased the story about the Mets making a trade, showing a clip of Carter homering in the background. Before the commercials were over I said, "The Mets just guaranteed the pennant." He may have been too "goody two shoes" for a lot of his teammates but I still believe his enthusiasm was genuine. And was he ever clutch when it counted most.

Michael
February 12, 2008
It's a shame we didnt get the very best of Carter. He really only had two real good seasons with us. 1987 was below average and by 1988 he was done. (Except for his hot start, he did nothing after about mid-May.)

Larry
May 26, 2008
All of my memories of Gary Carter have been tarnished by his feeble attempt to undermine Willie Randolph and get his hands on the manager's job in Flushing. As a "Christian Soldier" and a member of the "God Squad" I would think that coveting would be a no-no. You should be ashamed of yourself, Gary.

Feat Fan
June 1, 2008
Sorry Kid but I never could warm up to you. I think the word is insincere. Anyway, why would this organization repeat the same mistake and hire a manager without any prior experience? Wrong team, wrong market.

Mr. Sparkle
June 1, 2008
Everyone is killing Carter over undermining Willie and rightfully so, but would you expect anything less from Gary? That is so Gary Carter. Still, I would love to have him as a manager. I think he would get the team to do the little things right, the way Willie can't. He would get them to play hard and bust their butts. Gary is totally into himself, but I still love the guy. Watching the Mets play the Braves, you could see how hard the Braves were playing and doing all the little things right. The Mets were not even close to their passion and the Braves have had the same manager for the past 15 years. Willie is already stale after 3+ years. Gary, despite his self absorption, would be good for the Mets.

Cheryl
June 21, 2008
Gary was one of the best catcher to play the game and he had heart and passion while doing it. With Willie being gone now, I think Gary would be a great replacement.

Gets by Buckner
November 4, 2008
My college buddy who was also a huge Mets fan ran up to me in the cafeteria - December 1984 and yelled "The Mets just got Gary Carter in a trade!" We were so pumped up. He was that last missing piece to the Championship puzzle. I realize many people hated the guy, they said he was cocky etc. but he got the job done!

Shickhaus Franks
November 9, 2008
"The Kid" was just hired as manager of the Atlantic League's Long Island Ducks. Here's hoping I get to see him in 2009: 1) I live near the Newark Bears stadium (Nice stadium in a city that has its share of problems, Got Buddy Harrelson's autograph when he mangaed the Ducks) but they may be going OUT OF BUSINESS; here's hoping that it WON'T happen because I would love to see Gary Carter again. and 2) Going to see Independent Minor League Baseball DOESN'T COST YOU AND ARM AND A LEG and with Citi Field's less capacity and more costs, who knows if I will be seeing a Mets game in person in 2009 unless I win the lottery or Publishers Clearing House.

Bill
May 16, 2010
Although I believe Gary Carter was the final piece of the puzzle to send the Mets to the World Series, I think that the Mets could have gone on to further glory if he truly gave his all to the game. I remember watching many games involving Gary when he didn't run out ground balls and pop-ups and was caught at times walking to the bench when a pop-up was dropped or a throwing error occurred.

During a game in Philadelphia, when the Mets were down by a run in the top of the 9th, Gary was on second base with one out when a fly ball to center field was hit. Gary thought it was the third out and was walking off the field and was made into the third out when the ball was thrown to second base.

He could not hold base runners on (nor could the pitching staff).

Let's not forget the base-running blunder in the World Series with Keith Hernandez that could have cost us the game.

HOF? - He was one of the dominant players at his position during his early playing days, but, the later years and his inability to keep his head in the game make me think he didn't quite deserve it.

Michael
July 13, 2010
Bill....to correct you here. That game at Philadelphia you are referring to where Gary made the last out at 2nd base....when he fell for the hidden ball trick....happened on April 8, 1988. The Mets were NOT down by one run....it was a 5 to 1 phillies lead.

And it was Carter's birthday too.

Pete
March 29, 2011
I am thrilled to have been one of the full house at Shea on opening day '85. What more is there to say? Anyone who was there can still hear it: Gary! Gary! Gary!

Shickhaus Franks
May 24, 2011
May 21, 2011, Late afternoon: Was putting ice on my lower back (I suffered a strain) and listening to the 20/20 update on WFAN when I heard the awful news about Number 8 and his possible brain tumor. Puts my pain in TOTAL perspective!! Gary is one of my all time fave Mets and I will be rooting for him as he goes through a tough moment in his life just like I did when he played all out on the baseball diamond. GODSPEED, KID!

Eric Rhinesmith
May 31, 2011
I chimed in on this website years ago about my admiration for my favorite player...The Kid.

His 1985 Opening Day game winning homer...the terrible NLCS he had against the Astros in '86, where he only got 2 hits (but both were game winning RBI's!!!)...his 2 homers in Fenway...how he started the famous Game 6 rally....even the agonizingly long time it took for him to hit his 300th homer in 1988.

But most importantly, I remember how nice he was to me when I was 12 years old and I met him at an autograph signing.

As a little boy, I prayed so hard for him when he was at the plate in game 6.

I'm 37 years old now...and I am still praying and rooting for Gary! Be tough Kid! God Bless...

Eric Rhinesmith
May 31, 2011
BILL...I realize you posted in May of 2010, so you may never read this....but for everyone else who does:

Carter played aggressive with great hustle despite two bad knees from years of catching. So ease off...

As far as his arm goes, allow me to highlight this stat:

From 1978 to 1985 (Gary's 8 year peak), he faced 1,171 would be base stealers. The Kid threw out 41% of them. That 8 year percentage is second only to Johnny Bench's 49% from 1968 to 1975. The only difference being Bench only faced 531 would be base stealers during that time. Which means, during the prime of their careers...Bench threw out about 260 guys while Carter gunned down about 480.

Another stat for true baseball geeks:

Carter comes in at a 58.0 WAR (wins above replacement) to Bench's 57.8 WAR.

The Kid was the best there was...thats all there is to it.

I credit David Schoenfield of ESPN for the ammo.

Michael Wulf
June 29, 2011
Cubs fan here, but I love baseball. I caught Gary Carter's 300th home run on August 11, 1988. I have been to hundreds of Cubs games and this is the only homer that I caught or even came close to catching.

I was standing against the left field bleacher fence with my brother when the ball came towards me. The ball went over everybody's heads and hit the top of the fence. It then bounced on the ground and I jumped on it. I must have had 10 guys pile on me. I was drenched in beer and I broke my new sunglasses. I finally emerged from the pile and stood on top of the last bleacher seat waving the ball in the air. I kind of taunted the crowd for a little while because I had about 30,000 people chanting "throw it back".

I have never before or since experienced so much attention. Being a die hard Cubs fan, I never thought twice about keeping the ball. I whipped it as hard as I could and made it on to the infield. I must've shook hundreds of hands that night. I did not pay for a drink the rest of the night after the game.

I met Gary when he came back to Wrigley and he signed a ball and a newspaper clipping. Since that day I have followed Gary's career and I am so saddened about his brain cancer. I always thought I would be able to meet him again and talk about that night. If any of you Mets fans have any memorabilia from that home run or events leading up to it, please contact me at mike@wulf.com. The Mets have become my second favorite team since that day.

Jonathan Stern
February 16, 2012
Today is a sad day for baseball and for Mets fans in particular.

I wasn't very complementary towards Carter in my earlier post, so I will just say here that the man brought more joy to Metsville than most and I will miss him greatly. RIP, Kid.

Ed K
February 16, 2012
This is a sad day. Gary was my favorite 1986 Met but I remember him even more for 1985 when he practically kept the Mets in the pennant race single-handedly in September while the rest of the team went into a hitting slump. I also always remember the crazy game in 1986 when Ray Knight got tossed out of the game and Gary jumped in to play five innings at 3B flawlessly. He had a "can do" spirit and will be much missed. May he rest in peace.

community chest
February 17, 2012
My sister and I cried yesterday.

Cappy
February 17, 2012
I can still remember the day the trade was announced that we would get Gary for Brooks and some prospects from the Expos. How excited he was to joining the Mets and that first game against the Cards that he won. All the key contributions he made to the 1986 World Champs. He was one of a kind. God Bless you Gary. Rest In Peace.

glenn-troy ny
February 17, 2012
He showed such joy playing the game. Not many players do. I was in Cooperstown when he got inducted; you could tell how thrilled he was to be a Hall of Famer.

Mookie
February 17, 2012
It is a sad day for me and all Mets fans. I was saddened months ago when I learned that Gary Carter had cancer and even more saddened now. I can't add much to what I've heard others say. Simply put, Gary Carter was a great Met; one of the greatest ever. He always was a great representative for the franchise on and off the field.

Watching the Mets has always given me so much enjoyment, so to lose such an important member from the best era of Mets baseball is sad. The Mets were not only the best team in baseball during Gary Carter's Mets years, but the most fun to follow and it wouldn't have happened without him. He is the only Hall of Famer from the '86 Championship team. I remember the excitement when the Mets acquired him before the 1985 season, because it said to everybody that Mets were about to move from an up-and-coming team to the one of the best in the game.

From hitting a walk-off home run in his first game as a Met, through his World Series heroics to his Hall of Fame induction, he was a great Met.