Tampa Bay Rays vs Baltimore
Sarasota’s Ed Smith Stadium
Spring training home of the Baltimore Orioles
The last game of the 2012 Grapefruit League season and thanks to a kind and generous friend giving me tickets, I will take it all in from the front row. I find myself having a hard time deciding which is more enjoyable… watching the game or watching the people. So I multi-task and get a shot of this young man munching on some Cracker Jacks. I don’t know if they are really Cracker Jacks but this is my story and that is what goes with baseball and kids.
I find myself close enough to my favorite team players that I could poke’em through the fence as they warm up but I tell myself that self-control is necessary. It’s hot and I am almost overwhelmed.
Evan would be one of my favorites. Yeah, he’s a good ball player but I just like his style. He calmly approaches the plate and waits for his pitch without all the usual rituals. No tugging, spitting or adjusting… very cool.
As I snapped my one thousandth picture of my guy’s (the Rays) my friend reminded me that since I live in SRQ, I should maybe take a few pictures of Baltimore. Plus my friend that gave me the tickets is a Baltimore guy and it might seem ungrateful of me not to.
Above is pitcher Zach Phillips who was traded to Baltimore in 2011. He appeared in 10 games in 2011, with a 1.13 ERA in 8 innings pitched. I couldn’t begin to tell you if this is good or not but thought I should say something.
Catcher Matt Wieters was drafted by the Baltimore with the 5th overall pick of the 2007 amateur draft and signed a contract with a $6 million signing bonus on August 15, 2007. $6 million dollars. What would you do with that much money???
Nick Markakis began his first spring training with the Orioles in 2006 and was presented the Roberto Clemente Award on September 2, 2009.
I believe you should treat yourself to at least one MLB game before you exit God’s green earth. When you’re in the stands and hear the sound of the ball as it connects with the bat… there’s nothing quite like it. Watching on TV just can’t compare.
This was the perfect ending to a great day at the park …
Thank you Mr. B
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