Feb
17
2012

Here’s To You Kid!

An article by Clayton Collier

All I know about Gary Carter are the stories that I’ve read or that others have told me, plus what I’ve learned from watching various films, interviews and documentaries. From what I have always heard and read about Doc, Straw, Keith and many of others on that 1986 team, they were heavy duty partiers and what not. But you never heard that about Carter.

He was simply that classic all-American player that any child with a dream of playing baseball would idolize. One that never forgot how lucky he was to put on a uniform everyday. One that wore that uniform with pride and carried that onto the field every single game. You just don’t see that anymore.

Two years ago, my aunts and uncles all gave me Amazon gift cards for Christmas, and without hesitation I bought a Gary Carter signed ball that very Christmas morning. Even though I never saw him play, the kind of heart and passion Gary Carter had for the game, resonated with me. Those types of scrappy players are few and far between nowadays, and I see Carter as the benchmark of how to play the game and live your life the right way.

There will never be another like Kid. He didn’t showboat, he never slowed down. He was beloved wherever he played because of his natural child-like exuberance and his pure joy to have the opportunity to play the game of baseball. And that cheerful vibrato was well-received by every single person he came into contact with throughout his entire adult life here on earth.

Here’s to you Kid, Rest In Peace.

About the Author: Clayton Collier

Clayton, a Long Island native and die-hard Mets fan, started writing online about three years ago. He is currently a Journalism major with a minor in Broadcasting at Seton Hall University. Although very disappointed with the current state of the team, Clayton remains hopeful that the young prospects in the farm system will bring the Mets back to a respected franchise in baseball once again. Besides writing for MMO, Clayton is also a staff member at 89.5 WSOU, Seton Hall's modern active rock radio station. You can contact Clayton by following him on Twitter: @Clayton_Collier or E-mailing him at MaybeNextYearMets@yahoo.com

5 Comments + Add Comment

86mets February 17, 2012 at 8:47 am

RIP Kid, you will be missed. Probably my favorite Met of all time growing up. Infectious smile, wonderful attitude, seemed like just an all around good man. My thoughts and prayers are with the Carter family. So sorry to hear this news.
Mr North Jersey February 17, 2012 at 10:14 am

Nice job MMO with the Gary Carter posts since his passing and posting his Hall of Fame induction speech on the right here.
Metsie February 17, 2012 at 11:49 am

It’s a damn shame that he is gone too early!

It’s ironic how clean living is supposed to be the key to a long life and while that team was filled with bar hopping drug dabbling bad boys it was the one grounded and good living individual who had his life cut short!

I still feel the loss of Carter in the lockeroom was the beginning of the end for that team as everything went to hell in a handbasket once he left!

I listened to the players talk about him on SNY last night amnd it is clear to me that he was the guy who grounded them and led by example of how the game was supposed to be played!

And when that left so too did the professionality and business like manner in which that team would play baseball!

Just another case where the Stats don’t tell the whole story of the player’s contribution!

Sad day for all Met fans!
- William H. February 17, 2012 at 12:45 pm
  
  SNY’s coverage was beautiful and touching. I wish I had recorded it.
  - srt February 17, 2012 at 3:04 pm
    
    I watched hours of it last night.
    One they apparently pre recorded and had ready to go.
    The others were live interviews from PSL, in the studio, on the phone. Those were heart breaking with the occasional comments that made me smile or think ‘I remember that’.

NL East Standings

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB
Braves	23	18	.561	-
Nationals	23	19	.548	0.5
Phillies	20	23	.465	4.0
Mets	16	24	.400	6.5
Marlins	11	31	.262	12.5

Last updated: 05/18/2013

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