I just wanted to talk about my first experience with Spring Training in Peoria, AZ. I drove from Las Vegas to Phoenix Saturday morning and walked around the complex. I felt young again.. the smell of the grass, literally hundreds of players. Scouts and dads and moms and little kids who in another 10 years will be living the same dream.
There were four fields with A, AA, and AAA but the groups were mixed up. Some single-A guys pitched against AAA, and vice-versa. Saw the Mariners #2 starter pitching against AAA and he was impressive, everything at the knees with sink.
Bum, Jr., sat with me Saturday morning and told me about Felix Hernandez (Seattle's ace). He said he likes to hang around the minor-league clubhouse (not major!) and joke with the guys, throwing golf balls against the wall. He bought lunch from Famous Dave's Barbecue treating every minor league player--dropping 12k on the deal. What a guy! Bum Jr. has also met Ken Griffey, Jr., Jay Buhner, and Mr. Mariner himself, Alvin Davis. Cool Stuff.
Bum, Jr. got to throw against the AAA guys the other day and went 1-2-3. Popup, groundout strikeout. He also came in in relief for Felix Hernandez in a game. Today he struck out four in two innings, but I think it was against a younger team from Canada. I was happy that his change was filthy with sink. They were swinging over the top of it.
I watched the pitchers trying to bunt and laughing their ***** off. I saw little boys ages 5-9 shagging foul balls and asking for autographs.
When I left and got back on the road to Las Vegas I turned on the radio and listened to the end of the game between the AZ Diamondback and Mariners and Tyler Bortnick (CD Dad's son) was at second base on the big field. I kick myself for not seeing that, but I had to go home.
God I love baseball! I am so grateful for this weekend.
