Montreal baseball fans are remembering Gary Carter, the Hall of Fame catcher who died Thursday after a battle with brain cancer.

Carter began playing for the Montreal Expos in 1974, and his last appearance for the team was in 1992. Many fans consider him to be the greatest player in Expos' history.

Carter was diagnosed last May with four malignant tumours and died at the age of 57.

Yannick Bergeron, who runs Bergy Baseball and Golf, said Carter inspired him to open the indoor batting cages in the Montreal suburb of Dorval.

"He's the kind of guy who actually inspired me to start a place like this, give a chance to the kids to be able to live their dreams all the way and maybe become a big baseball player in the major leagues," said Bergeron.

"It's a big name here, it's always going to be, and it's sad news today."

Montreal West resident Eric Taylor said he remembers Carter as someone always willing to go before the cameras.

"He was very appreciative of the fans...he loved the microphone because it was his means of talking to the people that paid his meal ticket," said Taylor.