Carter, was unfortunately diagnosed with not one but four brain tumours last May, Just 2 weeks after finishing his second season as the coach for Palm Beach Atlantic University. In the past few months, his family had hoped that, with chemotherapy and other treatments, the tumors were in check. In January, the family had revealed that doctors had found several new tumours.
Carter's daughter, Kimmy Bloemers, wrote on the family website - "I am deeply saddened to tell you all that my precious dad went to be with Jesus today at 4:10 p.m. This is the most difficult thing I have ever had to write in my entire life but I wanted you all to know,"
"He is in heaven and has reunited with his mom and dad. I believe with all my heart that dad had a STANDING OVATION as he walked through the gates of heaven to be with Jesus," Bloemers wrote.
Carter's last public appearance, was made at the beginning of February, when Palm Beach Atlantic open its season. Jay Hortwitz, the Mets spokesman, said Carter died at a hospice in the West Palm Beach, Fla., area.
Carter, Nicknamed "Kid", was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003, having retired in 1992. During Carter's 19-year career, he was a 11-time All Star, with a .262 average, 324 home runs and 1,225 RBIs.
"Driven by a remarkable enthusiasm for the game, Gary Carter became one of the elite catchers of all-time," in a statement by the commissioner Bud Selig, he said. "'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."
Carter had played for nearly two decades for the Mets, San Francisco, Montreal and the LA dodgers. He had also led the Expos to their only playoff berth, becoming the first player to be enshrined in Cooperstown wearing the Expos logo.
"When you think of the great baseball field generals, you think Gary Carter," the president of the Hall of Fame, Jeff Idelson, said. "He ran the game from behind the plate with strong leadership and passion. The Kid's contribution to our national pastime is big, but his heart was even bigger. We'll always remember his caring way, ever-present smile and strong devotion to family, community and the Baseball Hall of Fame."
"An exuberant on-field general with a signature smile who was known for clutch hitting and rock-solid defense over 19 seasons," reads his Hall plaque.
Mookie Wilson, one of Carter's Mets Teammates, once said. "Gary was one of the happiest guys in the world every day,"
Immediately recognizable at the plate by his curly, blond locks, that flared out from beneath his helmet, and his rigid, upright batting stance.
During his biggest moment of his career, he was especially enthused. When the powerful mets were down to their last chance in the 1986 Series against the Red Sox, Carter steppedup with two outs. No one on base and NY were trailing Boston 5-3 in the bottom of the 10th inning in Game 6.
No comments:
Post a Comment