Johnny Damon is in the arena...

Jamie booed and said he is ready to leave...something about a traitor with him leaving the Red Sox to sign with the Yankees a few years ago. J/K on the leaving part.

First NHL Game Ever...

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning at the St. Pete Times Forum is the first NHL game for Jamie and me. As an added bonus, Sidney Crosby, the star of the NHL is back with Pittsburgh after missing about 6 - 8 weeks with an injury. His return was announced earlier today.

The picture is of the opening face-off.

And then the rain started...

With the Twins winning 3-0 in the 5th inning. Well since we have a hockey game tonight we aren't going to wait out the rain delay. But it was nice seeing the last year of Al Lang Field also named Progress Energy Park. Right on the bay and the Rays want to build a new stadium on the site. They had a home plate painted in the outfield where it would be in the new stadium.

We were asked and agreed to complete a verbal 2 page survey on the spring training experience.

And we just heard they called the game so at least we won't miss any action.

View from the 6th floor balcony

If you ever have to make the trip from Jupiter to St. Pete on the 2-lane state roads, don't. There is essentially 2 small towns and one dot on the map for a 3 hour drive.

We are at the Tradewinds Sandpiper Resort on St. Pete Beach. Gotta love the deals you can get on Priceline.com. The picture is of the Gulf from our room.

We were watching Mike & Mike this morning when they broke the news with Chris Mortenson about Brett Favre's retirement (sometime between 9 and 9:30).

I am tired of being congested.

It is overcast and very windy today. Hopefully they will get some of the baseball game in before any t-storms arrive.

Well we are headed to Al Lang Field in St. Pete to see the Twins @ Rays today.

Game 2 is in the books

Attendance 8141...4th largest crowd since the Marlins have been at Roger Dean Stadium. Marlins win 3-2. Red Sox only managed 3 hits. There were a lot of walks by both teams.

We were SRO the whole game so the back is very tired. And I'm continuing to fight some congestion and sinus pressure that started last Thursday. Much warmer today. Maybe 80 and not as strong or constant a breeze as yesterday. And the cloud cover has dissipated so no rain and sunny skies prevailed.

We now hit the road again for our trek to the west coast (of Florida). We will be staying in St. Pete Beach. Probably should take 3 - 3 1/2 hours.

Tom Lasorda Signing Autographs

Picture from Sunday.

World Champs Today

In Jupiter today for the Boston Red Sox @ Florida Marlins. Nice day although warmer than yesterday and more clouds. Forecast is for scattered showers.

Stayed in Stuart last night at a Hojo. Jamie is astonished with all the Dunkin Donuts around. And people can't drive...they pull out trying to cross the road and upon realizing they can't make it, they just stop blocking traffic.

Can't get very close to the players here. Big difference from Dodgertown yesterday. Red Sox brought a few of their core players...Kevin Youkilis, Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia, Alex Cora, Javier Lopez and Kyle Snyder (who will be the starting pitcher). Oh yeah, the Marlins are here too.

Picture is of Kevin Youkilis taking BP.

And that's the ballgame

Beautiful day in Vero Beach, probably mid 70s with a constant ocean breeze. Home team wins as the Dodgers out score the Mets 5-3...scratch that as the Mets score 3 runs in the top of the 9th to win 6-5. The Dodgers had 2 errors that were scored hits and the subs let it get away. #52 for the Dodgers doesn't need to worry about making the major league team. 8200 in attendance.

A couple former Jacksonville Suns (Dodgers double A team) were playing. James Loney who played very well and Matt Kemp. Former Brave Andruw Jones had an early rbi double but also a couple K's. Torre had him batting 3rd...don't understand that one.

NY Mets @ LA Dodgers

Left Jacksonville just before 8 AM, arrived at Vero Beach - "Dodgertown" around 10:45 AM.. Definitely a great spring training venue. Very close to the players. Autographs from some players from when I was growing up...Danny Darwin, Charlie Hough and Tom Lasorda. Saw Don Mattingly warming up, Joe Torre. Nice practice fields which Jamie went on taking a picture of Donny Baseball and was told by security (elderly gentleman) that "you know you're not supposed to be in there" multiple times.

Game just started...Steve Garvey threw out the first pitch and did infield at 1st base before the top of the first inning. Then James Loney came out. Garvey is promoting a new book.

Our first t-ball/softball game today