Chris,
You are one avid Blue Jay fan, or I should say passionate fan. I think you are making a great choice. When a fan is as dedicated as you are, how can it be another team. This is all about making a dream come true, this is yours, enjoy.
How many Blue Jays photos are out there?

Chris - Congratulations and I hope you really enjoy the resulting masterpiece Graig will create for you!

IMHO, a Joe Carter reaction shot HAS to be the selection.

As a Braves' fan, I would deem it a great favor if you would call as little attention as possible to the 1992 series...the 1993 World Series is the one you want!

We're all looking forward to seeing the results...thanks for sharing the process with us.

-Raymond

Thanks Ben. I like this version a lot as well


http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9hwvunrp.jpg

Thanks Bill. There are some nice images/events - Alomar with his arms up from the 1993 ALCS; Singer's first pitch in 1977; 1992 WS clinch mob; Winfield kills a seagull ;)

Thanks Raymond! I don't know if the world is ready for "Wild Thing's" mullet to be captured on canvas for posterity ;)

While I like that first picture of Carter, I would probably go for this one. I just love the motion within the stillness of the photo. Plus the ball being there is pretty cool as well.

Thanks Mark. Strangely, I have never really pondered the batting images from Joe's HR at bat. I think that it is that I am so drawn to the joy he exudes when he leaves the box.

Being from Philly, that is a sad picture

Lots of great choices out there, Chris, and you and others have shown many great options/pieces, but my personal choice would be the one I posted that you commented on.

I wrote some time ago, that if I won, I would choose the 1958 Topps Mantle/Aaron Batting foes pic, but then it got me thinking, has Graig painted any Jay's players or Jay's moments?

Picking any pic from their world series wins would be awesome, but picking one from their first would be best imo.

Not an easy task, but good luck.

(Just some more to look at https://www.google.ca/search?q=toron...sAQIGg&dpr=1.5)

A screenshot from a cool angle. But the joy of Joe Carter running the bases is infectious indeed. You'd smile walking past it every day.

http://s32.postimg.org/kesrvtfvp/Scr...1_11_28_36.png

Dewey - that's WAY COOL!!!

outta be a finalist at least.

- but I still think a reaction shot is best. IMHO

I like the one that shows Carter from the back with his arms raised and with Morandini (?) leaving the field. That is an awesome shot.

Tom C

Whatever you choose has to have a good shot of his face or what's the point?

I tend to agree, but do like all the images posted.

Congratulations Chris!!!! I agree with Tom C's choice with Carter's back and Mickey Morindini walking off. That shot really captures the emotion of the moment. As a lifelong Phillies fan (since 1963) it really conjures up some bad memories. Thanks a lot.....:):).

Seriously, which ever shot you choose you won't be disappointed in the result. I'm fortunate to own several of Graig's paintings and the pictures don't do them justice. Graig' the best and you'll cherish and enjoy your painting for many years to come.

All the best.

Mike G

Thanks Mike! I appreciate it. In honour of the Jays playing Texas at home for the first time since Game 5 of the ALDS...


https://vine.co/v/eEPAEV7FgFi

http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/...psjtpefq45.png

Picked my image....
 

Thanks for responses, ideas and comments everyone!

I have had some great chats/emails with Graig and really thought long and hard about my choices. In the end, I think that I will surprise a few of you - but pls understand that this image means a lot to me (I'll explain below).

It was down to Joe Carter, '93 WS HR "trot" OR Jose Bautista's emphatic bat flip, 2015 ALDS.

I've decided to go with Joey instead of Joe

http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9ck3zgve.jpg


I would be ecstatic with a Joe Carter image but when I look back at last season and how I had something to cheer about after over two decades of zero playoff baseball. I didn't miss a game (live or PVR) and despite a 4 hour flight, attended two regular season and two ALDS games and I was able to get into the fun with my daughter (she has a Bautista doll and at 8 months, could search for it by name - pls see photo below). Also included is a photo of my wife Katie with Millie and "friends" during the 2016 season opener (it was an early Sat in Calgary - pls excuse the PJs).

Even though it looks like Jose won't be re-signed at the end of this year (which I realize is a business decision, but like Carter, Alomar, Bell, Delgado etc, he deserves to have a place with the Jays greats) what he did while a Jay has been very special. Two HR titles, 54 bombs in 2010. Really the only star for a long while. I also have a modest Bautista player collection that this will go great with.

Carter's HR now, when looking back, seems like a cherry on top of a sundae that I couldn't finish. An embarrassment of riches from 1985-1993. All those great moments from that run blend into one pleasant memory. Bautista gave me a fresh one to hang on to and pass along to my daughter.

http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/...psrtv9ojct.jpg


http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/...psagtehxfj.jpg

The selection over Joe and the bat flip itself-- a bit unorthodox. I love it! There's no need for you to explain your decision, but I'm glad for the insight. I totally get it. I was harboring the idea, if I won, to pic an image from the Dodgers victory over the Cardinals in the 2004 NLDS. It was their first playoff win since 1988 World Series and I watched it in the labor and delivery suite with my wife and our child born an hour before the game. A good day! :) It just goes to show that so many factors play into these wonderfully personal choices. You're gonna enjoy that bat flip for a long, long time.

Thanks Dewey! I appreciate it!

That pic, celebration will go down in infamy.

Great choice!

Looking forward to seeing it completed.

Congrats again, fellow Canuck. :)

Merci mon ami!

The epic Joey Bats bat flip! I like it...

Thanks Scott!

Great choice... I think it will make for a magnificent painting. One thing Graig does like nobody else is to capture the stadium background to a tee. This one will be spectacular with the frenzied fans and the Bat in mid-air (with perfect positioning of the Marucci Logo!)

A stellar choice for this size painting. Can't wait to see the end result... Congrats!

Thanks Mark! I think so too.

Joey Bats
 

Graig is so good, I bet he could paint a .gif image

https://maplewood.worldwebs.com/res/...8d3/bs1024.gif

:)

Chris,
Congratulations on your choice. I too am looking forward to the completion of a great moment in history.

billyb

He could! Nice Rob!

[QUOTE=billyb;1536045]Chris,
Congratulations on your choice. I too am looking forward to the completion of a great moment in history.

billyb[/QUOTE
Thanks Bill! And thanks VERY much for your efforts in making this happen. I am buying a ticket for you next time Sir. :)

This ought to be an outstanding painting
Congrats!

Agreed! Thx. :)

You should try to get Bautista to autograph the painting. Maybe get his picture with it. I would love to see his reaction when he sees it.

Autograph it in a corner that is. Can't write over the center of the masterpiece!

Tom C

I wouldn't have him sign on the painting, but perhaps Graig could use a slightly larger canvas. If he paints the size you won, he could leave a small open space at the bottom where you could have him sign.
If it's something you would like to do, I would discuss the options with Graig to see what he thinks.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

I like the idea of obtaining a photo of Joey and the painting together, and also Chris, if you can be in that photo as well, then have him sign the photo and display it next to the painting. But that would be another dream, but, who knows, once in a while, they can come true.

Awesome choice and the story behind the selection makes it truly special.

Or you can get Goose Gossage to sign it. :eek:
Totally terrific choice, Chris. Bautista's Bat Flip was instantly iconic in the sports annals of Canada - such a singularly gfy in your face, ace moment, and pretty much the high water mark for this country's athletic endeavours in 2015 (unless you count Young Trudeau punching out Iceman Harper).

Great choice Chris

Interesting idea Tom and Mark. I have a few Bautista signed items now. I think just displaying them adjacent would be cool.

Also a great thought. I'd be nervous taking the painting anywhere! Perhaps if I ever move back to Toronto.

Thanks Carl and David!

Thanks Max! Hey, we are back in Vancouver. Hope to see you and Jen at the C's games soon!

Chris - That's an exciting choice...man, that scene was really electric! Funny, while I know they didn't win the series, I cannot recall even who won the 'bat flip' game.

I wonder if you would consider a 'split-screen'-type effect with Joe's reaction shot on the left and the bat flip on the right...if it is possible, it's worth considering...14x28 could be enough room.

You should definitely see if Joey Bats could autograph it...but not Goose LOL

Thanks Raymond. Actually, the bat flip game was the deciding game of the series and Jose's HR put the Jays ahead 6-3 (they were down 3-2 after the top of the 7th). The Jays lost Games 1 & 2 (I attended both and my buddies sent me back home saying I was a jinx!) and stormed back to win 3 straight to take the best-of-five series. Essentially Jose's HR sent them to the ALCS. They took the ALCS vs the Royal to 6 games before bowing out.

I didn't think of a split screen type approach but think that if possible, I would have to seriously upgrade the size to do the scenes justice and that isn't in the cards unfortunately - moved the family at our expense and gave up my job and looking after our child as my wife is continuing her career after 17 months off.

Hey Max - maybe I should have considered Rodney McCray's running through the wall for the C's in 1991 :)

http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/...pswzo1tolm.jpg

http://www.oregonlive.com/mlb/index....versay_of.html

Well, there is a bobble head of Rodney and the wall .....:eek: