After spending his first ten years of pro ball in the Expos organization, HOF catcher Gary Carter was traded by Montreal to the NY Mets for four players after the 1984 season. It didn't take long for "The Kid" to become a fan favorite in the Big Apple. He clubbed a career-high 32 homers in 1985 and finished 3rd in the MVP voting in 1986 to help lead the Mets to a World Series Championship (assisted by a Red Sox first baseman). An 11-time All-Star, Carter was the first, and perhaps the last, player to go into the Hall of Fame as an Expo. He died of cancer in 2012. Now is your chance to look, feel and smell like a Hall of Fame big league catcher with this complete head-to-toe ensemble of the late Gary Carter's New York Mets game-worn catcher's gear. Here's what's included:
1) Rawlings New York Mets blue batting helmet, size 7 1/4, signed in 8/10 black by Carter on the bill. 'KID' sticker labels front and back. Remnants of dirt and pine tar cover the top. Dual-used for hitting and catching. Awesome wear.
2) Wilson blue catcher's mask with padding strapped and taped to the bars. Incredible amount of wear. Plastic coating on bars is peeling off in several places. The buckles and straps are original and intact. Carter has signed the blue chin/jaw padding twice in 8-9 silver felt pen. His #8 is marked on front outside chin in black.
3) Wilson blue padded chest protector with 'CARTER 89 NY METS' marked in black across front. Carter has signed next to it in 8-9 silver. Great wear with dirt and sweat stains. All buckles and straps are original and intact.
4) Pair of Wilson navy shin guards with extensions for knees and upper foot. Carter has signed the shin of each guard in 9/10 silver felt pen. Both are very worn down. One is cracked at the knees. All buckles and straps are original and intact.
5) Pair of Nike Air blue shoes, size 11.5 with metal cleats. Carter has signed the white Swoosh logo on the right side of each shoe in 7/10 blue pen with '1988 PLAYER' inscribed. '8' hand-written in black on each insole. They show heavy wear inside and out. Soles are coming apart at heel. Chunks of dirt still stuck to the cleats.
Includes a Letter of Provenance from The Newport Sports Museum.
Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.