Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael Griffin
Gary “The Kid” Carter was largely beloved around baseball, but no place adored the Hall of Famer as much as Montreal. How much? When he passed away in February 2012 at the way-too-young age of 57, the Montreal Canadiens ALL donned his No. 8 jersey for the pre-game skate. He was the heartbeat of all the teams he played for, and he’s still missed today. Here are 15 times when he showed he was more than just personality — he was a legend:
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Most All-Star Selections by a Catcher in the ’80s—Because the Fans Knew
Nobody owned the Midsummer Classic quite like Carter. He was voted in as an All-Star catcher a stunning nine times in the 1980s alone, proving even in an age of hanging chads and rotary phones, fans knew a legend when they saw one.
No. 2 in Rookie of the Year Voting—But No. 1 in Fans’ Hearts
In 1975, Carter finished second in the NL Rookie of the Year race, but he quickly secured first place in the hearts of Expos fans with his hustle, smile, and a cannon for an arm. He earned the nickname “The Kid” for his relentless enthusiasm and willingness to work hard, whether it was Spring Training or the last game of the season. He gave his all each time.
Three Gold Gloves—And Not One Broken Nose
Carter snagged three Gold Gloves (1980–1982). His prowess made his pitchers feel secure in his game-calling. They knew that he’d snag any potential wild pitches, which meant they could throw their out pitches without worrying about it skittering away.
Five Silver Slugger Awards—Outslugging His Peers Behind the Plate
Five times, Carter was named the NL’s top-hitting catcher. This meant he was equally adept at hitting pitches as he was at scooping them up and throwing runners out.
Regularly in the MVP Conversation
Although he never won it — the closest he came was second in 1980 and third in ’86 — The Kid was still a force to be reckoned with for much of his career. He was a one-man wrecking ball with his ability to send the ball over the fences and get timely hits to drive in runners. His teams surely considered him their most valuable player.
324 Career Home Runs—Power Hitting from Behind the Plate
“The Kid” launched 324 career home runs—a rare feat for a backstop. Here he is, smiling in relief after hitting career homer No. 300. He’d had a very long dry spell, going nearly three months without a homer. Fortunately, he tacked on 24 more after that.
2,092 Career Hits—Catcher Knees, Ironman Heart
Racking up over 2,000 hits is tough for anyone, but for a catcher, it’s an ironman achievement. Carter outlasted bruised knees, foul tips, and doubleheaders—and he just kept hitting.
The Only Expo to Win All-Star MVP—Twice!
Carter took home All-Star Game MVP honors in 1981 and 1984, the only Montreal Expo to do it twice. He earned them with both his bat and glove.
Sparking the Miracle: Carter’s Two-Out Single in Game 6, 1986 World Series
It looked grim for the Mets. They were down to their last out, and Red Sox players were poised on their dugout steps, ready to spill out. The thing was, Gary Carter refused to be the final Met hitter. He fought off pitches and laid off close ones. Finally, his single started the Mets’ legendary comeback. Look at his face here. He was telling Bill Robinson, “I was NOT going to be the last batter.”
A Wall Behind the Plate: Top 5 All-Time in Catcher Putouts
Carter finished his career with 11,785 putouts as a catcher, placing him among the top five all-time upon retirement. He put his body on the line day in and day out, doing everything to help his team win.
20+ Home Runs in 9 Seasons—Forget Singles, Kid Swung Big
Nine seasons with 20 or more homers—Carter wasn’t just padding stats, he was making pitchers sweat. That familiar uppercut swing left plenty of outfielders turning to watch balls go over their heads into the stands.
NL RBI Leader by a Catcher—Feeding the Scoreboard
Driving in runs was Carter’s specialty—he led NL catchers in RBIs multiple times and cracked the 100-RBI mark in four different seasons. His teammates knew they had a great chance of scoring when the Kid strode to the plate.
Led NL Catchers in Caught Stealing—Sorry, Speedsters
Trying to run on Carter? Good luck. He led NL catchers in runners caught stealing multiple times, gunning down would-be thieves with laser throws and a quick release that made it easy for his fielders to tag out the runner. .
100+ RBIs for Two Different NL Teams—A Rare Feat
Carter notched 100 or more RBIs for two different NL teams—first with the Expos, then the Mets. That’s consistency, power, and a knack for bringing runners home, a rare display of run production from the catcher position across more than one team.
Hall of Fame Inductee—Forever Smiling in Cooperstown
In 2003, Gary Carter took his rightful place in the Hall of Fame, immortalized with that iconic grin. He’d waited longer than many thought he should, but he didn’t let that bother him. giving an inspiring speech at his ceremony.