Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter died today. He was 57 and way too young. But the brain tumor that caused his death could not kill his spirit as one of the toughest outs – and one of the most tenacious players ever to play the game.
Carter played with passion and purpose. He refused to be the last out of the game. In 1981, when his Montreal Expos battled the Dodgers for the National League pennant, Carter willed a walk from Fernando Valenzuela. He kept the flame alive until Montreal’s next batter made the final out.
In 1986 with his Mets down 5-3 in game 6 of the World Series against the Boston Red Sox, Carter refused to make the last out in the bottom of the 10th inning. The scoreboard prematurely flashed a Congratulations message to the Red Sox – but Carter wasn’t buying it – instead he sparked a rally with a single to left that would take the Mets to an improbable come-from-behind victory – keeping their season alive until they clinched Game 7 to become World Series Champions against the cursed Red Sox.
Everyone knew Carter was special. His first game as a Met was a big hit: Carter Hits Walk-Off Home Run.
He was one of only four catchers with 300 homers, 2,000 hits, 1,000 RBI and 1,000 runs, putting him the same locker room with Yogi Berra, Johnny Bench and Carlton Fisk.
Carter will be remembered as a fierce competitor, a winner and a terrific role model who was faithful to his family, his teammates and to the game of baseball. Here’s a great article by Sports Illustrated that explains why:
Gary Carter, we will miss you!
