Back From Spring Training

The family and I made it back yesterday from our quick Florida trip.  After spending one day at Universal Studios in Orlando, we headed 2 hours south to Jupiter for a couple of days of Cardinals spring training.  I would have liked to stay longer, but my daughter is in the middle of volleyball season.  She missed one game on the trip and would have missed at least one more if we stayed.  We had fun for the short time we were there. 

Pitchers and catchers were the only players having formal work outs.  Position players did not have to report until Monday, but quite a few were already there.  Friday we arrived just as practice started around 11:00.  Stupid me forgot to pack my camera in the backpack.  I was not about to walk the 15 minutes back to our car, so I have nothing to show other than the one card I got autographed.

The 2012 Springfield Cardinals team set is the first one I have attempted to get signed.  This one puts me up to 14 of 26.  Teran was a coach on that team.  He is now the Cardinals bullpen catcher.   I think he was shocked to see someone wanted his auto.  Although there were less than 25 people watching, most were there to see Yadier Molina. 

Friday's practice consisted of pitchers doing infield drills while others threw a bullpen session.  After that, the catchers took batting practice.  My son Alex was watching at one of the gates when Cardinals president and former GM John Mozeliak needed to get on the field.  Instead of asking Alex to step aside, he took him on the field to a bench behind the cage where he sat for 10-15 minutes with him.   Farm Director Gary LaRouque also joined them.  Once again epic Dad fail on my part for not having a camera.  They asked Alex about his favorite player, if he watched many games, and why he was not in school.  After bp was over, they thanked us for coming and wished Alex well on his baseball season.  

Saturday we were better prepared.  We arrived early to watch some batting practice.   

 Dexter Fowler

Marcell Ozuna with the high socks, Edmundo Sosa waiting his turn

Jedd Gyorko was also in this group.  After bp, he and Sosa moved to another field to take some infield practice.  After they finished, I got Sosa to sign a card.

I am also working on the 2015 Peoria Chiefs team set.  I think I have about 10 more to get signed from this one.

We next went back to watched the pitchers take fielding practice.

 Jack Flaherty is scheduled to start the Cardinals' first game this Friday.

Jordan Hicks will most likely start the year in Double A, but could finish in the Cardinals bullpen.

Alex Reyes has slimmed down since last year.  If healthy, he has an outside chance of winning ROY.  

After the pitchers were done and before the catcher's batting practice, Alex and I were able to have a couple of coaches sign some cards.

This will be McGee's first year in the dugout.  He does not have a definite title, but will be working with the outfielder's on defense and every player on baserunning.

Jose Oquendo returns as the third base coach and infield instructor after sitting out 2017 because of knee surgery.  Hopefully he can improve some baserunning fundamentals.

Friday we watched the minor league catchers take bp, so Saturday we chose to watch the big leaguers.

 Yadier Molina is waiting his turn to take some swings off of manger Mike Matheny.

While waiting he took a ball and threw it to my son.  No luck though on getting it autographed, but still a cool moment.

Yadi in the cage

Carson Kelly

That finished up the day and our spring training experience.  It was great to watch up close with so few people there.  Even on Saturday the crowd was only about 30-40 people.  If we ever go again, I will wait until all the players are there and more thing are going on.

The only negative part about the trip was the autograph hounds at the parking gate.  Friday after practice there must have been 15-20 people waiting for autographs from players as they left in their cars.  There was a mix of children and adults.  On the occasion a player stopped, 3 or 4 adults made sure they were first in line.  Some parents questioned them and were answered with rude and vulgar replies.  I wanted no part of this so we left shortly there after.  I will give props to new Cardinals Bud Norris.  He pulled over and signed for everyone and even took pictures.