Current Washington Nationals' manager Davey Johnson was the New York Mets' skipper from 1984-1990. From 1985-1988 Gary Carter was the Mets' no.1 catcher after he'd established himself during twelve seasons with the Montreal Expos. In 1986 the two men went to the World Series together, winning New York's first championship since 1969. On behalf of the Washington Nationals, the 69-year-old Johnson, who returned to the bench in the majors for the first time in 11 seasons in the nation's capital last summer, issued the following statement tonight about Carter's passing at 57 years of age after a battle with cancer:

• A STATEMENT FROM DAVEY JOHNSON ON BEHALF OF THE WASHINGTON NATIONALS REGARDING THE PASSING OF HALL-OF-FAME CATCHER GARY CARTER:

"Today, the world of baseball lost a Hall-of-Famer and I have lost a treasured friend. Anyone lucky enough to have been part of Gary Carter's world will agree...nobody loved life in a bigger way than Gary. He seized every opportunity to savor what mattered most to him: his close-knit, loving family; meaningful, enduring friendships; an unbridled passion for baseball; and the fulfillment he felt from making a difference in his community. Gary's brave battle has ended, but his from-the-gut laughter will be heard and his vitality and spirit will be felt forever. I loved him very much, and I know he is finally at peace."