Spring Training 2010

Some highlights from Florida 2010 Spring Training. The first is that I got my first foul ball on the last day. The lowlight was the temperatures, they were low, too low for my liking.

The Phanatic

Jayson Werth Sporting the beard

Jimmy Rollins in St. Patty's Green

Ryan Howard up to bat.

Tailgating on St. Patrick's Day.

Breakfast at Lenny's. So I had the sampler with 2 eggs, homefries, one bacon, one sausage link, one sausage patty, and one Canadian bacon slice, all with Rye toast.

Yes he's admiring a good golf shot.

Freezing in the seats.

Slice, Hook, or straight? Your guess is as good as mine.

Capitals beat the Lightning at the St. Pete Times Forum. A little non-baseball fun.

Phillies Spring Training

I'm not very good at remembering to take pictures on vacation. Here are some from last week's jaunt to Clearwater Florida.


This is where the Phillies play. Brighthouse Field in Clearwater Florida. The view from the outfield.


This is a sunset from the house we stayed at in New Port Richey.


Another Sunset (or the same one?).


In the Mini-van.

A view from our seats at the St. Pat's day game. Yes they are great seats and that is the beauty of Spring Training. I could have hit the guys in the dugout with my beer if I really wanted (and wanted to get kicked out).


My Dad and his friend Jerry. I played golf with Jerry twice.


That's Kyle Kendrick (recently sent to the AAA Lehigh Valley IronPigs) warming up before the last game.

The Phillies Win

So this is a few days late.  But the Philadelphia Phillies won the world series and the 2008 World Champions of Baseball.  And to celebrate, Charlie Manuel, the Phils manager sported this hat.

So I was unfortunately in Boulder, Colorado for the final game.  At least I wasn't on a plane.  But I saw it all and it was great. I wish I was with my sister or Dad to celebrate but none-the-less, I cheered with myself.  

I have to admit that tears welled in my eyes during the post game.  I had a huge grin on my face, so tears, and I was really happy.  It doesn't seem real.  I can't believe this team, the one team I follow religiously actually did it.  As a Philly Phan, you are naturally skeptical.  And they proved me wrong. I was optimistic as possible but it was hard to really believe.  But I've seen these guys for a many years.  I've been to spring training for 6 years, except this year.  I saw Chase Utley when he wasn't quite ready to ready to play in the bigs. I remember seeing Pat the Bat, come of age. I remember Ryan Howard kick Jim Thome out of town.  

Those were some great times in Jack Russell stadium in St. Pete.  And those were some great times with my dad.  

Baseball is a serious commitment. 162 games.  For the Phillies, it was 176 games to win it all.  And it was great.  

The Family at the Phillies game (Martyn is wearing the wrong hat).