Player Profile

Gary Edmund Carter, nicknamed The Kid, was born on April 8, 1954 in Culver City, CA. Gary was drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 3rd round of the 1972 amateur draft. Gary made his Major League Baseball debut on September 16, 1974 against the New York Mets. He would play for four teams, the Expos, Mets, Giants, and Dodgers over the course of a 19 year career.

Career Accolades

In Gary’s 19 year career he reached the postseason in three of those years and won a World Series championship in 1986. He made 11 all-star teams in 1975 and 1979-1988, won three Gold Gloves in 1980-1982, won five Silver Sluggers in 1981-1982 and 1984-1986. Gary led the National League in RBI in 1984, SF Flies in 1986, Defensive Games Played as a Catcher in 1977-1982, Putouts as a Catcher in 1977-1982, 1985, and 1988, Assists as a Catcher in 1977, 1979-1980, and 1982-1983, Caught Stealing as a Catcher in 1979 and 1982-1983, Caught Stealing % in 1976, 1981, and 1983, and Fielding % as a Catcher in 1980 and 1983. He finished second in the voting for Rookie of the Year and finished in the top six four times in MVP voting. Gary’s best offensive seasons were 1984-1985 when he averaged a .288 AVG, .366 OBP, .487 SLG, .853 OPS, 79 R, 166 H, 24 2B, 30 HR, 103 RBI, and a 66/52 BB/SO ratio. For his contributions he was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003.

Career Numbers

Thoughts

The Kid was one of the all-time greats from the catching position overall as an offensive and defensive player. Combine that with his enthusiasm for the game and leadership qualities on and off the field and you have a person who lived their life to the fullest. He was a true captain to his teammates with the physical talent to have such accomplishments such as being the only player in the history of the game to hit two home runs in an all-star (1981) and World Series (1986 Game 4) game. If one thing stands out it is the exuberance he emitted in playing the game to go along with his toughness and never say die approach.

The passing of the 86er and fan favorite on Thursday February 16, 2012 was certainly a sad and emotional day for all of baseball and I cannot say enough of what embodied The Kid such as character, emotion, passion, tenacity, leadership, never say die, win, win, win, enjoyment, and an unforgettable smile that summed things up in making him the person he was off the field and everything anyone could ever want in a baseball player on the field. In growing up and watching Gary he increased my love for the game to new heights as a young fan and influenced me greatly as an aspiring young player. Here is a “Curtain Call” to you, Kid…

The Kid’s last career home Mets AB at Shea Stadium.

New York City honored Carter's life by illuminating the Empire State Building in Blue & Orange