He battled until the very end, but Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter finally succumbed to brain cancer. He was 57. Playing nearly all of his career for the Expos and Mets, Carter stroked 324 home runs, posted a 72.5 fWAR, and played excellent defense over 19 seasons. Perhaps more significantly, he seemed to bring a boyish enthusiasm to every game he played.
Commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement via MLB Network:
Driven by a remarkable enthusiasm for the game, Gary Carter became one of the elite catchers of all-time. “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. Like all baseball fans, I will always remember his leadership for the ‘86 Mets and his pivotal role in one of the greatest World Series ever played.
We will miss you, Kid.