Hall Of Famer Bert Blyleven Tells Ex-Mets Star Gary Carter To 'Keep Battling'
NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) -- Bert Blyleven had a heartfelt message on Sunday for ex-1986 Mets star Gary Carter, who's currently battling brain cancer.
"My prayers go out to my good friend and Hall of Famer Gary Carter and his family," Blyleven said at his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. "I know Gary is watching. Gary, keep battling the way that you always have and you'll fight this thing."
Blyleven and Roberto Alomar were enshrined in Cooperstown along with front-office guru Pat Gillick.
It was revealed in May that Carter was diagnosed with an inoperable, malignant brain tumor called a glioblastoma. The former Mets great is treating the cancer with chemotherapy and radiation.
Carter, nicknamed "Kid," is best known in New York for helping the Mets win the 1986 World Series. He had 24 homers and 105 RBIs that year, then drove in 11 runs in the postseason.
"And plus, Gary, the ball was foul," Blyleven said, referring to a long-ago hit off the pitcher by Carter that has been a subject of debate between the two. "Let's get that perfectly straight."
Carter hit .262 -- including the "foul" off Blyleven -- with 324 homers and 1,225 RBIs in 19 seasons in the majors. The 11-time All-Star played his last game with the Montreal Expos in 1992 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003.
What words of encouragement do you have for Carter? Let us know in the comments below...
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