Growing up in the 70’s in Canada and also being a catcher myself, I can’t begin to tell you how big Gary Carter was to me. He was and still is the Greatest catcher to ever play for a Canadian baseball team. The Kid was such a great role model, on and off the field. We were lucky enough to see him play on CBC all those years he played in Montreal. He had such unique style, that I and many other kids would try and emulate behind the plate. Remembering watching the Expos on TV with Dave Van Horne and Duke Snider on a warm summer Wednesday evening in the 70's with my family is up there among the fondest boyhood memories I have. My Mom loved Gary Carter too, and we bonded over that. I became emotional creating this painting, realizing that like my Mom, this boyhood idol of mine also left us way too young at just 57 years, which was my age while I was painting it. Let me just say this, there are not too many athletes that can make a grown man cry when they pass, but in 2012 Carter's passing did, and he did it again last year when I painted this.