New York Mets Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter and former Long Island Ducks manager, died Thursday.
Carter was 57 years old when he lost his battle with brain cancer.
“I am deeply saddened to tell you all that my precious dad went to be with Jesus today at 4:10 pm. This is the most difficult thing I have ever had to write in my entire life but I wanted you all to know,” Carter’s daughter said in a statement. “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.
“Thank you all for loving my dad and my entire family. I will still share with you all the last four weeks with my dad because they were incredibly special. I am thankful that many years ago, my dad accepted Jesus Christ to be his personal Savior because I know He is now in NO pain and is the most beautiful angel. He is now in God’s Hall of Fame.”
Back in May, Carter was diagnosed with brain tumors. He released a statement saying doctors found four “very small tumors” on his brain following an MRI.
Last month, Carter’s daughter announced that his health took a turn for the worse when doctors found “several new spots/tumors” on his brain.
Carter is survived by his wife, three children and three grandchildren.
“His nickname ‘The Kid’ captured how Gary approached life,” the Mets said in a statement shortly after his death. “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.”
Over his 19-year career Carter batted .262 with 324 homers and 1,225 RBIs. The 11-time All-Star was inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame in 2003. He appeared in eight straight All-Star games from 1981-1988.
Carter also won three Gold Glove awards over his career and was a member of the Mets 1986 World Series team.
He played for the Montreal Expos, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants from 1974-1992. Carter played his final game with the Expos.
After the 2009 season Carter left the Long Island Ducks to be closer to home, and was the manager of the Palm Beach Atlantic College baseball team.
