Hall of Fame catcher Carter dies at 57

NEW YORK -- Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter died on Thursday after a battle with brain cancer. He was 57.

Carter spent 19 seasons in the Majors with the Montreal Expos, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers after appearing in 311 Minor League games over four seasons in the Montreal system. He returned to the Minors in 2005 when he managed the Mets' Rookie-level Gulf Coast League club.

Carter, inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003, was named the Gulf Coast League's Manager of the Year in '05. The California native was promoted to Class A Advanced St. Lucie in 2006, where he again earned Manager of the Year honors and led the Mets to the Florida State League championship.

"It may be once in a lifetime, so savor it, enjoy it," Carter told his 2006 St. Lucie club after winning the championship. "We knew it wasn't going to be an easy task by any means."

Carter finished his 19-year Major League career with a .262 average, 324 homers and 1,225 RBIs. Both the Hall of Fame and Major League Baseball released statements on Carter's passing as the baseball community mourns its loss.

"When you think of the great baseball field generals, you think Gary Carter," said Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson. "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."

"Driven by a remarkable enthusiasm for the game, Gary Carter became one of the elite catchers of all-time," Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement. "'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," Selig added.

Carter was drafted by Montreal as a shortstop in the third round of the 1972 Draft despite having signed a letter of intent to play football at UCLA. He made his professional debut in 1972 with the Cocoa Expos, appearing in 18 games, and was promoted to Class A Advanced West Palm Beach to end the season.

Carter split the 1973 season between Double-A Quebec City and Triple-A Peninsula, finishing with 16 homers and 69 RBIs. He spent his final season in the Minors in 1974 with Memphis, where he batted .268 with 23 homers and 83 RBIs in 135 games. Montreal called him up in September and he debuted on Sept. 16, the first of nine games he appeared in that year.

Carter got an invitation to Expos Spring Training in 1974, where he earned his nickname "The Kid" for his over-the-top excitement in trying to make the team. He played for the Expos from 1974-84 before joining the Mets, where he is perhaps best remembered for helping the team to the 1986 World Series.

He retired in 1992 after earning 11 All-Star selections. The former backstop had aspirations to return to the Mets as a manager but instead settled for two Minor League positions before leaving the Mets to manage two independent league clubs from 2008-09.

Carter was diagnosed with four brain tumors last May and had undergone chemotherapy and other treatments, helping keep the tumors under control. His family revealed last month, however, that that doctors found several new tumors on his brain.

"I am deeply saddened to tell you all that my precious dad went to be with Jesus today at 4:10 pm.," Carter's daughter, Kimmy Bloemers, wrote on the family's website on Thursday. "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."