Gary Carter passes away

Hall of Fame catcher Gary "Kid" Carter died Thursday. He was 57 years old.

Cause of death was not released, but Carter had been battling inoperable brain cancer.

Carter played from 1974 through 1992 with the Expos, Mets, Giants and Dodgers. He is most noted for his time in Montreal and New York, having played 12 seasons with the Expos and five with the Mets. He helped lead the 1986 Mets to a championship, batting .276 with two home runs and nine runs batted in against Boston in the World Series.

"Driven by a remarkable enthusiasm for the game, Gary Carter became one of the elite catchers of all-time. '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," said Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig in a statement. "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. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to Gary's wife Sandy, their daughters Christy and Kimmie, their son D.J., their grandchildren, his friends and his many fans."

"Learning of Gary's passing feels as if I just lost a family member. Gary and I grew up together in the game, and during our time with the Expos we were as close as brothers, if not closer," said Steve Rogers, who played 11 seasons with Carter in Montreal. "Gary was a champion. He was a "gamer" in every sense of the word -- on the field and in life. He made everyone else around him better, and he made me a better pitcher. His contributions to the game, both in Montreal and New York, are legendary and will likely never be duplicated."

The Culver City, California native was also a noted philanthropist. He founded The Gary Carter Foundation in 2001, which to date has donated $622,000 to charitable causes, mostly focused on elementary school reading programs.

"[Carter's] nickname 'The Kid' captured how Gary approached life," said Mets chairman Fred Wilpon, president Saul Katz and chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon in a statement. "He did everything with enthusiasm and with gusto on and off the field. His smile was infectious. He guided our young pitching staff to the World Series title in 1986 and he devoted an equal amount of time and energy raising awareness for a multitude of charities and community causes. He was a Hall of Famer in everything he did."

An 11-time All-Star, Carter won three Golden Gloves and five Silver Slugger awards in his career. Carter was inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003 as an Expo. The Expos retired Carter's number 8, also in 2003.

"I relied on Gary for everything when I was on the mound including location, what pitch to throw and when," said 1985 Cy Young Award winner Dwight Gooden, Carter's Met teammate from 1985 through 1989. "Even when I didn't have my best stuff, he found a way to get me through the game. He was just a warrior on the field."

In 2,296 career games, Carter batted .262, belted 324 home runs, and drove in 1,225 runs.