Today (I'm writing this on Thursday), Gary Carter died.
The Hall of Fame catcher made baseball fun for me as a kid growing up. I loved the Expos. I was very sad when they traded him to the rival Mets. Gary was jovial, proud, gregarious, and talented. I remember driving into Montreal with my brother the day he announced his retirement. For several years we tried to make it to Montreal for at least one weekend. We saw him on the field that day, the second last one of the season, but we didn't stay for the final game of the season when he doubled to win the game and end his career.
I have a picture of him that I took that day. He's talking to his long time team mate, then with the Cubs, Andre Dawson. The two of them no doubt laughing about days of youth and energy and potential and about what lay ahead. I sent it to him to get signed and he graciously did.
I have a heavy heart, even though this has been coming for months. Gary's daughter has been posting semi-regular updates and I checked it as recently as yesterday wondering what was new, since the last post, four weeks ago, had been very disheartening. This is really hard to take. One of my heroes is dead. Heroes don't die do they?
4 comments:
Heroes do die and he was a good one for you and your siblings.
Too bad at such a "young age" (at least it seems that to your mother and dad). He brought young people lots of enjoyment and he was such a good role model. Who knows how many people are contemplating his life right now. His children rise up and bless him!
ME
I grew up in Montreal and went to hundreds of games in the 70's and 80's during the Carter Era. Had tremendous respect for him as a person and a player. He was fluent in french and answered questions from the french media in french. And he was a great hitter, but what I'll always remember was his arm - cutting down the best base stealers in the league. A piece of my childhood died with him.
at least it wasn't some ol' hotel room...
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