Ailing Carter makes appearance
Gary Carter responds to questions during a news interview before the 22nd Annual Baseball Assistance Team Dinner. (Jan. 25, 2011) Credit: AP
Ailing Hall of Famer Gary Carter made a rare public appearance Sunday night at his annual golf tournament, telling his audience, "I'm not feeling all that good."
The Palm Beach Post reported that Carter, diagnosed with brain cancer last May, "sounded like his usual self" but with a slower cadence, and while sitting down. The former Met, 57, declined to speak with the media at the event, held at Ironhorse Country Club in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Always garrulous, Carter spoke for about seven minutes, the newspaper reported, spending most of that time discussing the charitable causes -- literacy and autism -- in year 26 of his event.
Carter thanked his wife, Sandy, for her help with the function "and how much she has done for me to this point with my cancer. And I just pray that God will continue to help me because I want to help in any capacity that I can."
Carter's weakened condition prevented him from participating in the golf tournament.
Carter will receive the Arthur and Milton Richman "You Gotta Have Heart" Award on Saturday night at the Baseball Writers Association New York chapter's annual dinner. Carter's daughter, Kimmy Bloemers, will accept the honor in her father's place.
