March 5, 200818 yr DAY ONE JUPITER, FLORIDA: ST. LOUIS CARDINALS vs. FLORIDA MARLINS Todd Wellemeyer (STL) v. Dallas Trahern (FLA) First stop of the Second Annual Spring Training Road Trip was our traditional "kick-off" stop, our "home" park of Roger Dean Stadium (just about 25 minutes from my home). Slow moving game as most of the regular starters sat this game out for both teams. Marlins won it in the bottom of the ninth, 3-2. I always thought those bull pen seats were for ST season ticket holders. Never even tried to get them. Normally, like the ST Home Opener, we just sit pretty much where we want. But the BoSox game was a different story. And trying to stand over there is not such a good idea with the autograph hounds attack.
March 8, 200818 yr Author (NOTE: Woo-hoo, internet connection so thread continued!) DAY THREE PORT SAINT LUCIE: Atlanta Braves at New York Mets Pitching Match-Ups: (ATL) Jo-Jo Reyes vs. (NYM) Mike Pelfrey Final Score: Braves 2 - Mets 3 (10 innings) What's the best part of Spring Training? Berm seating and "tight backsides!" First stop ever at Tradition Field for me. Nothing extraordinary about the ballpark. It's one of those facilities where the berm and bleacher seats are separated from the rest of the stadium (much like in Fort Lauderdale), so I had no idea what the rest of the ballpark was like. One of the drawbacks of early Spring Training games is that the "road" team doesn't bring anyone of notes. Look at that outfield . . . there's your starting lineup for YOUR 2008 Richmond Braves. Mike Pelfrey pitching in the first inning. The ad of this Spring! Now starting, in right field, for YOUR 2008 New Orleans Zephyrs . . . . Fernando Martinez! Moises Alou taking a hack at the ball . . . . before his annual Spring injury. Jose Reyes completely misses this one. The annual rites of Spring: wind sprints on the warning track. For those of you that may have been watching the game on SNY on Monday, the camera crew followed myself and EvenLittler SoFlaFish around on a couple of occasions. After the game, we hit the road to Clearwater for our "home away from home." Stay tuned Yankee fans, because the Yanks and Jays were next . . . . (to be continued . . . )
March 8, 200818 yr Author DAY FOUR DUNEDIN - New York Yankees vs. Toronto Blue Jays Starting Pitching Match-Ups: (NYY) Phillip Hughes vs. (TOR) Jesse Litsch Final Score: Yankees 2 - Blue Jays 0 (6 innings) Autographs Obtained: Frank "The Big Hurt" Thomas My first ever trip to Knology Park in Dunedin. If you've never been to this park, it is TINY. The park is just five blocks south of Main Street in "downtown" Dunedin, which is a very antique/artsy town. It was a great little walk from our parking spot on Main Street (which was free!) to the stadium down the "Pinellas Trail" which is an old railroad right-of-way that has been converted into a pedestrian and bicycle path. We got to the park early and managed to see both the Jays and Yanks do batting practice. The only downside? Having to fight the throngs of "mouth-breathing" and overweight Yankees fans that trampled over everyone . . . and I mean EVERYONE, women, children, and the elderly, just for a chance to get an autograph. Because Dunedin is only a fifteen minute drive from Tampa, all the key Yankees starters were there: Jeter, A-Rod, Posada, Giambi, and Damon were there. The weather was threatening all day and the rains began to come down in the second inning. They managed to eventually get in five innings before the game was finally called in the Top of the 6th with the Yankees pitching staff actually pitching a perfect game. Too bad this is the first ever "no-hitter" I've ever attended . . . . There it is, little Knology Park Lyle Overbay doing some fielding work during BP. Shortly after this picture was taken, he turned around and threw the ball to EvenLittler SoFlaFish. We were the only two people standing there since all the other people were congregating down the third base line waiting for the Yankees. Frank Thomas sat outside the Jays clubhouse for an eternity "teasing" all the people waiting for an autograph. He spent most of the time just sitting there talking to the press and then he just went inside. Meanwhile, at the same time, I was in a group of guys talking to Vernon Wells's dad. Really cool guy! The first of many "Daily Lineup" pictures with EvenLittler SoFlaFish Derek Jeter fielding during Yankees BP Reggie Jackson "holding court" with the Yankees faithful along the third base stands. A-Rod heading out to do some fielding during Yankees BP. There they are . . . the mouth-breathing throng of Yankees fans. I felt like I needed a hot shower and at least three vials of antibiotics after leaving there. From left to right: A-Rod, Jeter, and Jorge Posada . . . . . . . . and then Reggie came in for some "words of wisdom." http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/mick21772/Spring2008/NYY-TOR022.jpg As game time approached, the winds were really beginning to whip in from right field! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/mick21772/Spring2008/NYY-TOR023.jpg Holy crap! That's Spike Lee!!! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/mick21772/Spring2008/NYY-TOR024.jpg Frank Thomas eventually did come over to us. He got a baseball card from EvenLittler SoFlaFish, at which time I told him, "Hey, Frank, that now marks 16 years between autographs. I got your autograph in 1992 in Bradenton!" He laughed and said, "Shh, I'm trying to convince these guys I'm only 28! Don't make me feel old!" http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/mick21772/Spring2008/NYY-TOR025.jpg Phillip Hughes pitching in the first inning . . . . http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/mick21772/Spring2008/NYY-TOR028.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/mick21772/Spring2008/NYY-TOR029.jpg . . . . and then in the second inning, the rains came down! It was a long, cold, and wet walk back to our car. Oh well, at least we got in an official game. Time to get ready to "travel" for tomorrow, as we head east to Winter Haven to Chain of Lakes Park, the last year of Indians baseball in Florida . . . . (to be continued . . . )
March 8, 200818 yr Author DAY FIVE WINTER HAVEN - Atlanta Braves vs. Cleveland Indians Starting Pitching Match-ups: (ATL) Jair Jurrgens vs. (CLE) Paul Byrd Final Score: Braves 4 - Indians 1 Autographs Obtained: Bob Feller, Paul Byrd, Joe Borowski, David Dellucci, Casey Blake, Ryan Garko, Danny Sandoval, Travis Haffner, and Jensen Lewis. First trip to Chain of Lakes Park in Winter Haven, which is about an hour and a half east of Clearwater (or just twenty minutes east of Lakeland). This was the former home of the Red Sox until around 1991. The Indians ended up here after their facility in Homestead was destroyed during Hurricane Andrew. After this spring, the Indians will be going back to Arizona and this beautiful and quaint park which is nestled among several lakes will be demolished and possibly converted into condominiums. That is the sad state of affairs for the old parks of Florida. We got there really early just in time to see some of the Indians minor leaguers conduct some intra-squad games. Those are completely open to the public. Afterwards, we finally made it in to the park where we were told that Hall of Famer Bob Feller would be "holding court" off to the side. Sure enough, there he was in all his splendor. I got to sit down with him at the picnic table he was at. The guy is 89 years old but his mind is as sharp as a tack. He talked to my son about when he was in kindergarten, and then when the subject turned to "old timers," I told him that my grandfather played semi-pro baseball in Cuba, at which time he proceeded to tell me about his Spring Training experiences in Havana before the 1948 season! We literally talked for about ten minutes!!! He signed and personalized an 8x10 picture for my son. When he saw the picture we had he said, "I remember when this was taken," and proceeded to write in the upper left hand corner: "TUSCON, 1952." AMAZING!!! Afterwards, we hung out around the Indians batting cages where we talked to the "old timers" that serve as "ushers" and "security" at the stadium. These were, without a doubt, the nicest people in all of the Grapefruit League. Our favorite was "Leonard" who would scrounge up baseballs for us, or go back into the cages to tell us who was coming over. He would get some of the guys to stop and sign autographs for us. This little place was, by far, my favorite park so far on this trip. It's such a shame that this little slice of baseball heaven will be gone by the end of March. As for the game, the Braves had no-hit the Indians for 8-2/3 until Danny Sandoval broke it up with a double off the RF wall (right in front of us!). We were upset because had he not done so, EvenLittler SoFlaFish and myself would have witnessed back-to-back no-hitters! We would have been the Johnny Vander Meer's of Spring Training! At the end of the game, EvenLittler SoFlaFish got his treasure trove of autographs, including being THE ONLY KID IN THE ENTIRE PARK that got Travis Haffner's autograph! A little slice of heaven, which is going to give way to rampant overcommercialization and overdevelopment. It's an Indians' fan dream. Even I got swept up in the emotion by purchasing a Grady Sizemore t-shirt! One of the minor league fields were some AAA and AA prospects were having an intra-squad game. Don't ask me who was there . . . I don't follow the Indians at all (I only play in NL-only fantasy leagues!) However, his jersey did make me laugh! CONSTANZA!!!! CONSTANZA!!!!! Walking along with some of the minor leaguers on their way to the Minor League Clubhouse. The close proximity and wide openness of the facility allowed for some great photographing opportunities. I gotta say something about the old parks . . . they are SO MUCH MORE accessible than the modern facilities, which are guarded like Fort Knox. The Wall of Fame. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/mick21772/Spring2008/ATL-CLE016.jpg The second time this Spring we see the Braves, and NOBODY makes the bus ride over from Lake Buena Vista . . . except for Javy Lopez, but he's fighting for a job! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/mick21772/Spring2008/ATL-CLE019.jpg Bob Feller holding court! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/mick21772/Spring2008/ATL-CLE023.jpg Our favorite "usher/security guard/man-about-town": LEONARD! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/mick21772/Spring2008/ATL-CLE025.jpg Just for the Indians fans. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/mick21772/Spring2008/ATL-CLE026.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/mick21772/Spring2008/ATL-CLE027.jpg A blast from Marlins past, Joe Borowski warming up. After he was done, he signed a baseball for EvenLittler SoFlaFish. He wasn't too impressed with the fact we were wearing Marlins caps at the game. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/mick21772/Spring2008/ATL-CLE030.jpg David Dellucci signing autographs. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/mick21772/Spring2008/ATL-CLE031.jpg Ryan Garko right before signing EvenLittler SoFlaFish's baseball. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/mick21772/Spring2008/ATL-CLE035.jpg A one-hitter! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/mick21772/Spring2008/ATL-CLE034.jpg Spring Training in Winter Haven. While other ballparks allow the kids to "run-the-bases" after the game, here in Winter Haven it was "Seniors Stroll the Basepaths." I'm not kidding, it was only senior citizens allowed on the field and they literally just strolled at their gingerly pace down the bases! I'm going to miss this little place. I really loved it. It stood in sharp contrast to the modern facilities of Jupiter, Port Saint Lucie, and Viera. We made our way back to Clearwater afterwards (fighting the horrendous traffic in Tampa -- which is made worse by the idiot drivers in Tampa Bay . . . seriously, do you have to slam the brakes every five seconds on the Interstate people!?!?!?). The next day it would be another "modern facility" (or is it "phacility") as we would visit the Spring Home of the Phillies . . . a park that many have told me is the best in the Grapefruit League . . . . (to be continued . . . )
March 8, 200818 yr Author DAY SIX CLEARWATER - Tampa Bay Rays vs. Philadelphia Phillies Starting Pitching Match-ups: (TAM) James Shields vs. (PHI) Adam Eaton Final Score: Rays 6 - Phillies 4 (6 innings/rain) Autographs Obtained: NONE (damn, Brighthouse Park ushers, they're really a pain in the a$$) After replacing a gashed right rear tire in my car the night before (thank goodness the Sears Auto Center at the Countryside Mall just south of my hotel was open at 7:30 p.m. and they were able to replace both my worn out rear tires on short notice), we head out to Brighhouse Field or Park or whatever the hell it's called. So, this is it? I was told it was the best facility in the Grapefruit League. To be honest, it really isn't that much better than Roger Dean Stadium in terms of comfort. It is, however, a miniature replica in some respects to Citizens Bank Park. The area where it does "beat" RDS is in concessions; your food choices there are endless: cheesesteaks, ballpark fare, "water ices," Blimpie subs, pizza, etc. But what brought this park to a final score just below RDS were the "ushers." They were literally overbearing and downright mean. You can't do ANYTHING there! As is the case at ANY PARK, most people are allowed to congregate to the first row to attempt to obtain autographs. However, here, you are kicked out at 12:20 promptly, so you basically have no chance at getting any Phillies autographs. And, to make matters worse, if the person who has the front row seat shows up, you're kicked out of where you're standing EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT SITTING IN THAT PERSON'S SEAT!!! I saw an usher kick out a woman and her son just because the woman whose seat she was standing in front of (and not obstructing in any way) complained. And then they'd come swooping down on you on the berm if you stood up! Geez! As for the game, the Phillies pitching looked HORRIBLE (that, hopefully, bodes well for the Marlins). Eaton got RRRROCKED, giving up a HR to Akinori Iwamura on the second pitch of the game, and allowing 4 earned runs in 2 innings of work. But, alas, as it did in Dunedin on Tuesday, the rains gave way -- this time with lightning and thunder. EvenLittler SoFlaFish and I were huddled under an eave waiting for the storm to pass by. What made the wait worth it was Troy Percival's girlfriend who was UNBELIEVABLY HOT!!!! Don't ask for "pix.pls" because it would have been awkward for me to whip out the camera and photograph her with my four-year old in tow. Believe me, guys, she is an unbelievable woman that makes Anna Benson look like an ogre (down to the little "Daddy's Little Girl" tattoo on her right shoulder blade)! Brighthouse Park - hey, it has free parking on one side just like Roger Dean Stadium (or at least I think it's free -- I got there early enough to escape any ushers or cops, and my car had no parking tickets when I got to it after the game was called. If there is a fountain at a ballpark, EvenLittler SoFlaFish needs to have his picture taken in front of it! Ryan Howard during warm-ups -- and before we got kicked out of Section 119! Just rubbing in the game time temperature for those of you that don't live in Florida! Okay, so before the game Mitch "Wild Thing" Williams was in town selling his new salsa. He was signing autographs, but only if you bought his $5.00 jar of salsa. I did not buy it, but I did take this picture. I also had to fight off every urge in my body to go after him for surrendering that shot to Will Clark in the 1989 NLCS! Oooh, did I want to give him a piece of my mind!!!! Phillies getting loose. Another line-up, brought to you by EvenLittler SoFlaFish. The one "thumbs-up" EvenLittler SoFlaFish gave to this ballpark was the playground located beyond the left field foul pole. My own gastrointestinal "thumbs-up" goes to the cheesesteak concession behind home plate! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/mick21772/Spring2008/TAM-PHI034.jpg Ryan Howard swings, then beats out the errant throw to first. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/mick21772/Spring2008/TAM-PHI019.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/mick21772/Spring2008/TAM-PHI020.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/mick21772/Spring2008/TAM-PHI029.jpg More berm seating, but in Clearwater we saw no "tight backsides" . . . . http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/mick21772/Spring2008/TAM-PHI030.jpg . . . . instead we were stuck with this guy, who's jersey said he was "Cowbell Kid." OH MY GOD was he ANNOYING!!!! It's one thing to "heckle" the opposing team's outfielders, but when you call Shane Victorino "Ryan Howard" because Shane's "8" looks like Howard's "6" you should just be shot in the back of the head! The ushers, though, were on him like stink on a Yankee fan! The rains cut our game short again. Afterwards, we would be saying goodbye to the Florida Suncoast and heading over to the "Happiest Place On Earth:" Disney's Wide World of Sports -- Spring Home of the Atlanta Braves.
March 8, 200818 yr Author DAY SEVEN LAKE BUENA VISTA/WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT - Detroit Tigers vs. Atlanta Braves Starting Pitching Match-ups: (DET) Kenny Rogers vs. (ATL) Mike Hampton Final Score: Tigers 9 - Braves 6 Autographs Obtained: Magglio Ordonez Okay, I have two more facilities to visit (Osceola County Stadium & Joker Marchant Stadium), but this place is BY FAR the best in the Grapefruit League. As a bit of backgroud, if you travel to baseball games with a four year old, it is wise to take food along with you. If not, you'll be taking out a second mortgage on your home because a child WILL out-eat you at any stadium. For our entire trip, we had been smuggling into each stadium food for EvenLittler SoFlaFish (consisting of a "Lunchables," M&M's, and Capri Sun juice "bags"). Now, my past experiences with the Walt Disney Company made me hesitant about sneaking food in, so I decided to forgo our own meals for what would be assumed to be the exhorbitant costs of "Disney Food" and a "Disney Park." Also, I had run a pretty good streak with finding "free parking" on most of our stops. So far during this trip, I had only paid for parking in Port Saint Lucie (couldn't escape that) and Winter Haven (didn't realize I could've found a free lot that was further away), so I was prepared for anything above $15.00 to park in a "Disney Park." So, off we set from Clearwater this morning (fighting, again, the completely idiotic Tampa Bay drivers -- okay, maybe I'm an aggressive driver, but those drivers have got to be some of the most passive drivers I have EVER seen) to Disney World. SURPRISE NO. 1 - we pull into the stadium grounds and are escorted to our parking space by the "Disney Cast Members" wearing Braves cap. I await for someone to tell me how much I have to pay, and am told that PARKING IS FREE!!! This was such a shock that even my four year old son said, "Daddy, parking is free? That's incredible!" (He repeated that to his mother when we met up with her later tonight here in Orlando). The park is modern, spacious, clean, and beautiful! Everything you'd expect from a Disney Theme Park! SURPRISE NO. 2 - time to feed "the boy" and we make our way to the concessions. Holy crap, the food is NOT EXPENSIVE!! The boy eats a complete "Fish & Chips" meal for $4.75! Hot dogs cost about the same as anywhere else (not as cheap as "Dodger Dogs," but then again, nobody is cheaper than a "Dodger Dog" -- and those are so DAMN GOOD!!!). We catch both Braves and Tigers batting practice. EvenLittler SoFlaFish was looking forward to this game because he really wanted to see Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis, now in their Tigers uniforms. Unfortunately, I broke the news to him the day before that D-Train would not be making the trip because he pitched on Thursday, but since Miggy didn't play on Thursday, he could be there today. Alas, Miggy didn't make the trip either -- instead, I got an hour of the boy saying, "Why did Cabrera stay in Tigertown, daddy?" I did "introduce" him to many "Marlins of Yesteryear," though, like Mark Kotsay, Jim Leyland, Ivan Rodriguez, and Edgar Renteria (and to a lesser extent Nick Trzesniak). The highlight for EvenLittler SoFlaFish was being the ONLY KID (yes, again) IN THE ENTIRE PARK to get Magglio Ordonez's autograph. The guy next to me asked me how I did it. I said it was simple: (1) I was holding EvenLittler SoFlaFish and then (2) yelled, "Magglio, pa'l chamaquito!" (TRANSL. - "Mags, for the little kid"). He told me to throw him the card, which I did. While he was signing it I tell him, "Oye, donde esta tu compatriota, que vine de Miami pa' que el chamaquito lo viera y no esta aqui! (TRANSL. "Hey, where is your countryman because I came up from Miami so that the little kid could see him and he's not here."). Mags laughed and said Miggy stayed behind, he didn't know why. It was at that time that I heard some teens next to me say, "Oh man, he got to speak Spanish to him, that's why he scored!" The Tigers offense that was there POUNDED the Braves into submission (especially Pudge). The best news of them all . . . NO RAIN and we got in a full nine innings: Champion Stadium at Disney's Wide World of Sports. PARKING IS FREE, DAMNIT!!! It's not a fountain, but EvenLittler SoFlaFish has to pose in front of it anyway. Sure, the place is very "Disneyfied," but it's still so pretty! The Braves bullpen, located over the right field wall. A blast from Marlins past -- Jim Leyland and Ivan Rodriguez. I yelled to Leyland as he was coming into the dugout, "Hey, Jimmy, you ready to win number 2." He looked at my Marlins cap and said in that "Jimmy tone," "Well, uh . . . um . . . okay . . . ." Jim Leyland and Mark Kotsay, I'm sure, reminiscing about 1998. Edgar Renteria -- another blast from Marlins past -- chatting up with his former Braves teammates. Magglio Ordonez and Pudge shagging flies during Tigers BP out in RF. Back on the berms. Oh, there were plenty of "tight backsides," but I would have burned out an entire memory card photographing all of them! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/mick21772/Spring2008/DET-ATL027.jpg Kenny Rogers warming up in the Tigers bullpen before the game. The Tigers bullpen is carved out of the berm in left field. At least Rogers lasted longer than Mike Hampton who was pulled in the first inning with what was only called a "groin situation." http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/mick21772/Spring2008/DET-ATL033.jpg The largest crowd I've ever seen at a spring training game. That's more people than at Dolphin Stadium on a Wednesday night against the Brewers! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/mick21772/Spring2008/DET-ATL034.jpg During the sixth inning, we moved to the third base line berm and one of the umpires gave EvenLittler SoFlaFish a ball. That was the fifth baseball given to him during our roadtrip -- not counting the baseballs we turned away from other players and coaches! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/mick21772/Spring2008/DET-ATL035.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/mick21772/Spring2008/DET-ATL036.jpg Tigers win! Tigers win! Oh, and by the way the Braves are now 1-2 in Spring Games we've gone to. I can't believe we've now "accidentally" seen the Braves three times this Spring! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/mick21772/Spring2008/DET-ATL044.jpg After the game, EvenLittler SoFlaFish and I went to the ESPN Club at Disney's Boardwalk for dinner. ESPN Radio's Josh Seibol and Orestes Destrade took some Q&A from the audience during one of their radio show's breaks. I got the first question and told Big O, "Marlins season ticket holder here, and more importantly, Columbus High Class of 1990!" Destrade laughed and said, "Holy cow, Columbus, that means there's a man named Brother Kevin out there asking you for money!!" After the Q&A was done, Destrade came over to our table and talked with us for a while about Miami, Columbus HS, and the Marlins. It was as if I was talking to a high school buddy (the conversation was done in both English and Spanish). My son thought it was so cool! . . . and now, it's time to hit the sack in preparation for our first ever trip to Osceola County Stadium, Spring Home of the Houston Astros. Never been there before. It was originally scheduled to be the last stop on our trip, but because of my son's disappointment in not being able to see Miguel Cabrera today, we've added a ninth stop! On Sunday, we're heading over the Lakeland for the Pirates game against the Tigers in the hope of seeing both Willis and Cabrera. Hey, who am I to say no to more baseball! Until then . . . . (to be continued . . . . )
March 8, 200818 yr Author DAY ONE JUPITER, FLORIDA: ST. LOUIS CARDINALS vs. FLORIDA MARLINS Todd Wellemeyer (STL) v. Dallas Trahern (FLA) First stop of the Second Annual Spring Training Road Trip was our traditional "kick-off" stop, our "home" park of Roger Dean Stadium (just about 25 minutes from my home). Slow moving game as most of the regular starters sat this game out for both teams. Marlins won it in the bottom of the ninth, 3-2. I always thought those bull pen seats were for ST season ticket holders. Never even tried to get them. Normally, like the ST Home Opener, we just sit pretty much where we want. But the BoSox game was a different story. And trying to stand over there is not such a good idea with the autograph hounds attack. Those weren't our "regular seats," but nobody ever showed up to kick us out so we stayed there for the whole game!
March 9, 200818 yr Author DAY EIGHT KISSIMMEE - Washington Nationals vs. Houston Astros Starting Pitchers Match-up: (WAS) Tim Redding vs. (HOU) Felipe Paulino Final Score: Nationals 12 - Astros 10 Autographs Obtained: Darrin Erstad, Geoff Blum, Woody Williams, Reggie Abercrombie, Jose Valverde, Brandon Backe, Tommy Manzella, Doug Brocail, Kaz Matsui, Mark McLemore, Runlevys Hernandez, and Jeff Bagwell Final stop of our Second Annual Road Trip. One thing you can say about Osceola County Stadium is that it is one plain ballpark. There is nothing around it except for open fields. It was extremely windy today, and that made the fact that the temperature was about 65 a pretty COLD place. The wind was wicked and swirling. Fly balls were flying out over right field. One pop-up started in left field and was finally caught in centerfield. The Nats were pounding the daylights out of the ball, as you can see from the final score. EvenLittler SoFlaFish was scoring autographs like it was no tomorrow. The Astros were very accessible. The biggest surprise was when Astros closer Jose Valverde came over to our seats by the Astros bullpen completely unannounced and unsolicited to talk to all of us. He literally took EvenLittler SoFlaFish's "Astros Baseball" from me and signed it without me asking for it. He shook my hand and struck up a conversation with me and the four Dominican guys that were sitting behind me. I think he heard all of us talking Spanish about the game and figured that we were an "Island of Familiarity" in a "Sea of Texans!" Speaking of Texans, after "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" is sung during the seventh inning stretch, the stadium plays "Deep In The Heart of Texas" just like they do at Minute Maid Park. The final surprise was having Jeff Bagwell stop over to those of us standing by the Astros Clubhouse after the game to sign some autographs. Let's say Jeff is no longer at his playing weight. I didn't recognize him, he is much thinner than he was when I saw him play. I told you this park is plain! And did I also tell you it was very "country!" The final starting lineup of the Spring, brought to you by EvenLittler SoFlaFish. Astros coach, and one of my favorite players when I was a little kid, Jose Cruz. Yes, that's Kool-Aid! He was walking over to the dugout before the game when I saw him and yelled, "Kool-Aid!" He looked around shocked as if someone yelled "BOO!" He then realized it was me because I was pointing at my Marlins cap. He came over and signed EvenLittler SoFlaFish's baseball. I wished him good luck and that he has a fresh new start with a new organization. Our seats were initially behind home plate, but it was so windy and cold there, that we decided to seek warmth out in the bullpen sunshine. The Nationals coaching staff sitting outside the dugout. Ryan Zimmerman in the on-deck circle. Once at our "bullpen seats," I got this shot of Doug Brocail warming up prior to entering the game. And, sadly, that's the last shot of our Spring Training Road Trip. We've decided that we're just too tired to head out to Tigertown, so we're heading back to Palm Beach tomorrow. After 8 parks in 8 cities in 8 days, my reflections are that Champion Stadium is the nicest in the Grapefruit League, Chain of Lakes Park was the best experience of the trip, the pitchers are slightly ahead of the pitchers (except for the Nationals and Astros pitching staffs), and the ushers at Brighthouse Field in Clearwater really need to lighten up. Now, we've managed to visit EVERY spring training facility in the State of Florida, except for Legends Field in Tampa. Maybe next year we'll make a short trip out of Legends Field and the Rays new/old facility in Port Charlotte. Now, the only uncharted territory is a SoFlaFish-EvenLittler SoFlaFish Cactus League Tour!
March 9, 200818 yr Great pics. Looks like you had a good time. Disney isn't on our schedule this year because the wife wanted to head to Lakeland to see the Tigers instead (we only do the week end traveling). But that place is definetly on our itinerary for next year. Yesterday we hit Ft Myers and City of Palms Park. We just like that place. Just so you know...Your guess of "about 1992" when the BoSox left their old facility for this one was dead on. This place opened in 1993, which made it convenient for the Indians because Andrew came through in '92. Nice little trip, although chilly and windy. Only a handful of Marlins fans there. Less than last year. But I got my "cole slaw jones" filled on the ride home at Rib City. Also got pulled over for doing 63 in a 45 coming back into South Bay. I have no idea how I talked my way out of that one. Maybe it had something to do with my VA ID card sticking to my license. "Thank you Deputy. No I won't speed coming into your town again. I promise." LOL Next week end it's on to DodgerTown. Gotta grab a couple of those Dodger Dogs before they pack them up with the rest of the stuff.
March 9, 200818 yr DAY ONE JUPITER, FLORIDA: ST. LOUIS CARDINALS vs. FLORIDA MARLINS Todd Wellemeyer (STL) v. Dallas Trahern (FLA) First stop of the Second Annual Spring Training Road Trip was our traditional "kick-off" stop, our "home" park of Roger Dean Stadium (just about 25 minutes from my home). Slow moving game as most of the regular starters sat this game out for both teams. Marlins won it in the bottom of the ninth, 3-2. I always thought those bull pen seats were for ST season ticket holders. Never even tried to get them. Normally, like the ST Home Opener, we just sit pretty much where we want. But the BoSox game was a different story. And trying to stand over there is not such a good idea with the autograph hounds attack. Those weren't our "regular seats," but nobody ever showed up to kick us out so we stayed there for the whole game! Okay. So I'm still left wondering about those seats. One thing I did notice about RDS this year is the lack of my fav drink. Fresh squeezed lemonaid. Only been to 2 games there this year and the first was the night time Home Opener. It was so cold the only thing I was looking for was hot drinks. But I was there last Monday for the visiting BoSox and didn't see any. Maybe I just somehow missed it. But I think I would have noticed that big reuseable container for $10. Finally got the lemonaid in Ft Myers yesterday, but it wasn't quite as good as the stuff at RDS. The Italian sausage was better tho.
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