So Long, Kid
Lou Requenia/A.P. Photo
My Wall Street Journal op-ed saluting baseball great Gary Carter now seems to be out from behind the paywall. I wish I had written it while he was still alive, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. I’m not sure I would’ve done it even now, but one of my brothers browbeat me into it. Anyway, here’s the opening:
I never met baseball Hall of Famer Gary “Kid” Carter, but his death last week from brain cancer at age 57 moved me deeply. Some 25 years ago, his life and his style of play spoke to me and inspired me in a moment of terrible need. It was an example of what celebrity can do when it’s done well.
The second half of my life has been so bright with blessings that it’s difficult for me to think back to the 1980s, when I could see no end to my emotional pain. Personal demons left me blind to the gifts that God had showered on me so generously. I began to think my beautiful wife and baby daughter would be better off without me.
I can’t really say how serious I was when I began to contemplate suicide. But I remember one night, sitting alone in my room in darkness, smoking cigarette after cigarette as I considered the ways in which I might put an end to myself.
The radio was on, playing a Mets game. I’d been trying to listen before the dark thoughts took over. By the time the ninth inning came around, I wasn’t paying attention at all.
One sentence ran through my mind again and again: “I don’t know how I can live.”
As I write, you can read the whole thing here. If they put it behind the wall again – buy the paper!
Carter was a great player and a good guy and while he won a world series with the Mets, he began his career, starred with and eventually entered Cooperstown as a Montreal Expo. I mourn the loss of both. RIP Gary.
It seems to be behind the wall again, but somebody sent me a link this morning, and I read it and was deeply moved. This was one of the most helpful things I’ve ever read, for depressives. You’ve done a service.
I do buy the paper and was impressed by what you wrote. The light was shown to you and now you shine it for others.
Brilliantly written, Mr. Carter’s play and life and your witness of the power others have to shape our lives and assist us in overcoming whatever our life challenges may be should inspire others to strive and overcome. It was brave and instructive to share this turning point in your life.
Thank you!
Great post, Andrew. I didn’t know about Carter’s faith, my knowledge of him limited to that (painful) ’86 World Series. But I recall how much I respected his tenacity, and that the Mets’ comeback in the sixth game really began with him, NY down to its last out, a long at-bat for Carter who refused to die and finally singled to bring the tying run to the plate. RIP, Mr. Carter. You helped make the Red Sox finally winning the Series in 2004 all the sweeter.
You are saving peoples’ lives. Thank you for that. Most sincerely!