Gary Yeatts starts another spring
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| http://www.wiedemannbeer.com/ |
Oh, the places you"ll go. There are runs to be scored. There are games to be won. And the magical things you can do with that ball will make you the winning-est winner of all. Dr. Suess
Goodyear, Arizona. Sunny and 82 degrees. I am ready and able for my 5th spring training. I have new digs this year as I have moved from the Palace to Desert Gardens Community. Sounds like a home for old people. (Getting closer all the time!) This may mean that there are fewer tales from the hot tub. I am sorry to disappoint those readers who have grown accustom to the prurient stories of the past four years. Hopefully, this will prove to be a good move. I am now right across the street from Luke Air Force Base. So I have the power and prestige of the mighty USAF to keep me safe. Only time will tell. This adventure is costing me more money but remember I make $8 an hour so money is of little concern.
The Cactus League was started in 1947. Estimates claim that it is over a $422 million windfall to the economic benefit of the state.. The average stay of a visitor is 5.3 nights but many stay longer to take in the wonders of the Grand Canyon, Sedona and other glorious Arizona locations. Added to the diamonds of the Phoenix area is the new opening of Cubs Park in Mesa. The 84 million dollar price tag will keep the Cubs in Arizona for a long time. The new park pays its homage to Wrigley Field and is sure to be a hit with families. The 15,000 capacity has lots of shade and pathways lead to adjacent Riverview Park. Activities for the kids are abundant with rope climbing, splash pools and rock climbing. It will probably become the "Crown Jewel" of spring training.
But what about those Reds? There is no doubt that the optimism of last spring has dimmed. The Reds are hoping that the new leadership of Bryan Price will have a positive effect on what is still a solid core of baseball players. The most obvious change so far is that of the retirement of Bernie Stowe. Bernie has been the clubhouse manager of the Reds since Abraham Lincoln was in office. A true character and wonderful man. Health permitting he will visit in March. The Reds have 59 players in camp which is like a small army. One of the more interesting youngsters is 24 year old pitcher Chad Rogers. Rogers is in the big league camp but almost did not make it. Three weeks after being drafted by the Reds, Rogers was surfing in the waters off of Galveston, Texas. Cue Glen Campbell. Galveston, Oh Galveston. No it was not a problem with Glen Campbell but it was a shark who chose Mr. Rogers for lunch. Fortunately, for Chad he was able to limit it to an appetizer. After being rushed to a hospital, 60 stitches were needed to make him whole again. Maybe the prospect of facing major league batters will be no big deal for this young man. YIB- G
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| Chad "Sharkbite" Rogers |
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