Gary Carter diagnosed with small tumors on his brain

[G-Fafif]

A little good news today.

Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter received positive news in his battle with cancerous brain tumors Tuesday. Soon after doctors discovered new spots, a biopsy revealed those were benign, daughter Kimmy Bloemers indicated. Carter also was due to complete a second, higher-dosage round of chemotherapy Tuesday night. That treatment had been delayed because of a previously low white-blood-cell count. "We are praising the heavens for more victories!" Bloemers wrote in an online journal to which ESPNNewYork.com has been granted access. "Thank you all for the prayers and encouraging cheers for dad! Keep them coming!!!

[Edgy MD]

Adam Ruby Duby wrote: Gary Carter gets more good news An MRI exam at Duke University revealed positive news in Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter's battle with cancerous brain tumors, daughter Kimmy Bloemers wrote in an online journal. Carter's doctors informed the family that the tumors have shrunk 10 percent from a previous MRI exam, and approximately 75 percent since the initial detection. "Parts of the tumors are actually dying," Bloemers wrote in the private journal, to which the family has granted access to ESPNNewYork.com. Also, headaches recently experienced by Carter on the side of his head are the result of modest swelling -- possibly caused by radiation treatments as opposed to internal bleeding, which the family had feared, according to Bloemers. Carter, 57, performed well on balance and memory tests at Duke. Doctors also were pleased with an examination of his vital signs. He will need to continue to inject himself in the stomach daily until further notice to combat blood clotting. "Physically, dad will push harder to exercise," Bloemers wrote. "It will be challenging, but dad is determined. He will also go to physical therapy three days a week and coach every day for his college baseball team." Carter is head baseball coach at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Former major league pitcher Kent Bottenfield has been hired as associate head coach to assist in the duties. Carter played 18 seasons in the big leagues, most notably for the New York Mets and Montreal Expos.

[G-Fafif]

The latest, via Rubin:

Gary Carter plans to participate in Palm Beach Atlantic University�s first baseball practice of the season today as the Hall of Fame catcher, who serves as head coach of the Division II team, continues to battle brain cancer. Carter plans to undergo an MRI on Friday so doctors can get the latest information on their battle with the malignant tumors. �Dad was such a trooper during the holidays,� daughter Kimmy Bloemers wrote in an online journal. �He tried to involve himself in as many family activities as possible even though each day is and continues to definitely be exhausting for him. For most of the days, he has rested and slept, which is good and bad. The doctors have told my dad to listen to his body and rest but have also encouraged exercise. My dad did go in the pool a handful of times over the holiday break; however, his body needs much more. �Today is the first day of practice for the PBA baseball team and dad is determined to go! Now that baseball has begun, his spirits have lifted a bit and I believe he is excited to see his team. His weak body limits his physical involvement, but the fact he wants to go and still teach his players is beyond amazing.� Carter has been battling other ailments that have developed as a result of the cancer treatments, including sores in his mouth. �Unfortunately, parts of his gums are down to the bone, caused by the medications,� Bloemers wrote. �This is very painful and there is not much they can do. It is uncomfortable to drink and eat. �Dad's appetite has changed dramatically. Although he is still on the steroids, he actually has been losing some weight due to the lack of eating. He just doesn't feel hungry most days. We are encouraging dad to drink a lot of water and eat nutritious foods, even if he doesn't feel like eating much. It's is important as we all know.�

[Guest Mets � Willets Point]

My stomach lurches every time I see this thread bumped to the top.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I know what you mean.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

It's not as though the news is getting better.

[ashie62]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: It's not as though the news is getting better.

I think we kinda know how this ends.

[G-Fafif]

Trying to ferret out some upbeat developments. As of last week, he still intends to host the dinner this Sunday at his golf tournament, according to the Palm Beach Post.

By JOE CAPOZZI Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Hall of Famer Gary Carter doesn't intend to let his battle with brain cancer interfere with plans to host his foundation's 27th annual charity golf tournament. Carter has had good days and bad days since his diagnosis in May. But he has been letting friends know that he will be involved in the Gary Carter Annual Hall of Fame Golf Classic at Ironhorse Country Club in West Palm Beach. The event will be Sunday and Monday, Jan. 15-16. "I think it will be a special tournament. I think Gary will be there for the dinner, at least, on Sunday night,' said Marlins TV analyst Tommy Hutton, Carter's close friend and Palm Beach Gardens neighbor. The event has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Palm Beach County children with autism and to improve reading at local schools. "He will attend as long as he is feeling OK,' said Jessica Wertz, treasurer of the Gary Carter Foundation. "This is his event, but it really depends on how he feels.' In November, Carter attended the kickoff dinner for a Hobe Sound golf tournament for children with cancer. He gave what many called an uplifting speech about his personal battle. Carter, 57, continues to undergo aggressive treatment. "He's doing fine. He's doing as well as can be expected,' said Hutton, who has lunch with Carter every week or so. Celebrities at his tournament are expected to include many of Carter's former teammates and opponents, such as Mike Schmidt, Jim Palmer, Jeff Reardon, Andre Dawson, Bill Gullickson, Dennis Eckersley, Rusty Staub, Gary Sheffield, Lou Piniella and Darryl Strawberry. The event will begin Jan. 15 with a practice round, reception dinner and silent auction. The tournament will start at 12:30 p.m. Jan. 16. Tickets to compete are $550 for individual and $2,100 for a foursome. For information, call (561) 686-3088. Hutton, who is helping with the tournament, said South Florida's major sports teams made contributions for the silent auction. The Marlins donated a weekend package that includes tickets to two games, field passes for batting practice and two nights at a hotel. The Panthers donated a suite for a game in February and an autographed stick. The Heat donated four tickets to an April game, and the Dolphins chipped in four tickets. "We're trying to decide if we should put all of those in one huge (auction) package or do them separately,' Hutton said.

[Edgy MD]

Carter getting along with Andre Dawson. That's something.

[G-Fafif]

Kid made it to his golf tournament.

By JOE CAPOZZI Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Updated: 11:15 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012 Posted: 10:25 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012 The Kid rallied again Sunday night. Just as he has done at the 25 previous events he has hosted, Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter welcomed more than 150 friends with hugs and smiles at a kick-off dinner for his 26th annual charity golf tournament. He made them laugh, too - with an assist from his wife, Sandy. Carter was seven minutes into his welcoming remarks at the Ironhorse Country Club when Sandy nudged him and whispered, "Let's eat!" "That's my wife and she knows that I talk too much, so that's it for me,' Carter said as the crowd broke into laughter. Carter's presence at the dinner was a welcomed and pleasant surprise to his friends. He was diagnosed with brain cancer in May, and many supporters wondered if he'd be well enough to attend. "I tip my hat to him,' said Davey Johnson, who managed Carter with the 1986 World Series champion New York Mets, "because if it was me, I'd probably go off and hide in my house.' Carter, 57, didn't want to hide. And he mentioned his illness only briefly in his remarks when he thanked his wife for helping with his charity "and how much she has done for me to this point with my cancer,' he said. "And I just pray that God will continue to help me because I want to continue to help in any capacity that I can.' Carter sounded like his usual self, but his cadence was slower and he was too weak to stand at the podium. Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer welcomed the crowd then passed the microphone to Carter's table, where was surrounded by his family. "I have been doing this golf tournament for 26 years now and I am so thankful and so grateful to all of you here,' Carter said. The tournament is raising money for literacy in Palm Beach County schools and for the Autism Project of Palm Beach County. But Carter explained to the crowd how the tournament in its early years raised money for leukemia, which killed his mother when he was just 12. He said the mission switched to juvenile diabetes and then later to autism after his grandson was diagnosed with the disorder. "Let me tell you what - it is an unbelievable journey if you know about an autistic child. That's my journey now is to help my grandson as much as I can,' Carter said, his voice breaking with emotion at one point. Many in attendance were overwhelmed by Carter's remarks, in particular by the enthusiasm he showed for fighting autism even though he personally is batting cancer. "Talk about a guy who's not selfish one bit,' said golfer Michelle McGann. "You can't really say enough good things about Gary, and to have to see him suffer like this has, it has really caught our attention.' Carter, who was not made available to a reporter, did not attend the pre-dinner cocktail reception as he has done in previous years. He arrived early in the banquet room, where friends and former teammates were ushered in one by one to speak with him in private. "I'm not feeling all that good,' Carter said in his dinner remarks, apologizing for not participating in the golf tournament that will he held today. "I'm going to be out there in the morning and kick you guys off and then I want to come back for the awards presentation.'

[Valadius]

Retire his number already.

[metirish]

Valadius wrote: Retire his number already.

problem is that it looks like you are retiring it because he is dying.

[Edgy MD]

I'd say retire his number for the Gulf Coast Mets, who he managed to an incredible .698 winning percentage and a GCL championship in 2005. He wouldn't even have to leave Florida for the ceremony.

Then I realized they've already retired numbers 1-100 for that team.

[Guest metsguyinmichigan]

They should have retired it already.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

They took 8 out of circulation following Carter's Hall of Fame election in 2003. I'm not sure but maybe his behavior in the managing ranks (refusing an job at Bingo while campaining for Willie's job) may have caused delays in honoring him.

[Benjamin Grimm]

That would lower the bar for retired numbers by way too much. He only had two good years with the Mets!

I can rattle off a dozen players who should have their numbers retired before Carter does:

Koosman, Hernandez, Strawberry, Gooden, Piazza, Alfonzo, Wright, Reyes, Darling, McGraw, Staub...

Okay, that's only eleven. But still...

[Edgy MD]

Johnson. El Sid. Franco.

[nymr83]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: That would lower the bar for retired numbers by way too much. He only had two good years with the Mets! I can rattle off a dozen players who should have their numbers retired before Carter does: Koosman, Hernandez, Strawberry, Gooden, Piazza, Alfonzo, Wright, Reyes, Darling, McGraw, Staub... Okay, that's only eleven. But still...

Edgy DC wrote: Johnson. El Sid. Franco.

Beltran.

I could argue Cone, Matlack, and maybe others too. Carter just wasnt here long enough, imo.

[Edgy MD]

If you believe Baseball-Reference.com, Tom Glavine has a higher WAR figure as a Met than Carter, 11.3-11.2.

You can put him ahead of Glavine based on his post-season exploits, certainly, but that's the kind of company he's supping with. It's nothing to be ashamed of certainly, but that's where it is.

Considering he was briefly the highest paid player in the league while with the Mets, I'm afraid he'd be roasted by fans if today if he slumped continually during the second half of his tenure like he did then.

I wish him the best, and I'm sorry that his managing career got derailed as it did, as he certainly showed promise, but that's just what it adds up to. The Mets have honored him plenty and continue to honor him. It's no insult if that particular honor isn't granted, and I don't think it would help him should anybody want to frame it as one.

[ashie62]

You can retire #8. Gary and family might like it?

[Edgy MD]

That's a question?

[Valadius]

He's a Hall of Famer who distinguished himself with the team and won a championship. The number's been out of circulation for 9 years. I don't understand how you take a number out of circulation and not retire it.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Exactly! Put it back in circulation! And 24 too!

[Edgy MD]

Valadius wrote: He's a Hall of Famer who distinguished himself with the team and won a championship. The number's been out of circulation for 9 years. I don't understand how you take a number out of circulation and not retire it.

I do.

[nymr83]

You take the number out of circulation so that you can take your time to figure out what you want to do. Because what you DON'T want is to hand the number to (for example) Lastings Milledge and have him turn into a homegrown all-star wearing number 8 and then you're looking to retire it for someone else. I'd open the number up now, or soon, though.

Meanwhile, the news for Carter has gotten worse, they're saying today that there are new tumors and doctors are deciding whether to continue treatment.

[TransMonk]

Gary Carter MRI reveals new tumors

Horrible.

[ashie62]

Edgy DC wrote: That's a question?

Not really...its only a friggin number..there are many many others to use.

[Ceetar]

Edgy DC wrote: Valadius wrote: He's a Hall of Famer who distinguished himself with the team and won a championship. The number's been out of circulation for 9 years. I don't understand how you take a number out of circulation and not retire it. I do.

Unlike 15,16,17,18 who they've tossed around willie (who's number they were much less cavalier with) nillie, not issuing 8 is a tribute in it of itself. These numbers should go to the Reyes' and Wrights of the world imo, to bridge old stars with new.

There's a way to honor Carter without the extreme. Have Mr. Met wear 8. Could start a process of naming things, concession booths, stairwells, etc. Something that's a little more plentiful and would actually solve their problem of feeling like guys are 'fringe' guys. 8, 17, etc.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Is Carter in the Mets Hall of Fame? If not, he should be.

That's the appropriate level of honor for someone who falls short of the retired number, which should be extremely rare.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

He's there. Been there for a while.