Spring Training Sabattical 2012

[xpress34]

Re: Spring Training Sabattical 2012

Day 2 (Fri Mar 30) -

Got up and headed out to Maryvale to see how we could do with Brewers during practice (they has a road game).

Got Robin Yount on a nice Hobby Proof Piece from 1991 Bowman and on an OMLB.

Also picked up Jon Heyman (MLB Network) on a ball outside the gate.

Saw my friend and a GOOD MAN from the board here - Rays54. He hooked me up with a few bats AND Aroldis Chapman's GU AFL Hat!

Headed back over to Salt River for Minor League practice and got the following GU Bats signed:

Jose Rivera
Joey Wong
Mark Tracy
Mike Zuanich
Delta Cleary

Just missed David Christensen and never saw Joseph Sanders.

Did get to talk to Nolan Arenado for a few minutes between innings.

From there, back across town to Surprise for the Rangers afternoon practice before they headed to Salt River for their night game with the Rockies.

Picked up Mitch Moreland and Steve Busby graphs. And then got Nolan Ryan on the hat I've been trying to get done for the last few years.

Got Ian Kinsler on my artwork and headed out to watch Yu Darvish pitch against the Rockies @ Salt River.

Took lots of pictures (again - pics will be posted shortly) and then back to the hotel to reset for the next day.

- Smitty

[xpress34]

Re: Spring Training Sabattical 2012

My laptop started acting up on me in AZ. Just got home to Denver a few hours ago...

I will update the trip info and photos ASAP!!!

Thanks for your patience!

- Smitty

[xpress34]

Re: Spring Training Sabattical 2012

Day 1 (in Phoenix) Re-Cap...

Woke up at 6:45am, showered, dressed and put my stuff back in the car...

Out to Salt River for Rockies/White Sox - Jamie Moyer starting. Took lots of pictures, talked to a few players, only grabbed two graphs - Jordan Pacheco and Wilin Rosario.

Left to go to Surprise, but called hotel and my room was ready. Stopped by and unpacked the car - laid back on the bed, and...

2 hours later I wake up when my buddy texted asking if I was coming to Surprise....

I haven't left the hotel room since... I'll upload pics later... got some needed sleep and heading out to eat and hit up the bookstores for more books for my 'library' back home...

ALMOST FORGOT - one big surprise today - Joe Torre and Tony LaRussa at Salt River visiting with Jim Tracy! They didn't sign, just waved at everyone...

Pics to follow soon...

- Smitty

[xpress34]

Re: Spring Training Sabattical 2012

Smitty:

Could you email me at sox83cubs84@hotmail.com ? I have a question for you.

Dave Miedema

Dave -

eMail sent!

- Smitty

[sox83cubs84]

Re: Spring Training Sabattical 2012

Smitty:

Could you email me at sox83cubs84@hotmail.com ? I have a question for you.

Dave Miedema

[xpress34]

Re: Spring Training Sabattical 2012

Smitty
Have a safe trip.

My good man!!! I'm here!!!

I'll call you later today...

- Smitty

[xpress34]

Re: Spring Training Sabattical 2012

Good Morning Cactus League!!!

Woke up in Phoenix today...

Left Denver @ 10:30am MDT yesterday and arrived in Phoenix @ 10:00pm PST. 12.5 Total Hours on the road...

Two Gas stops - Pagosa Springs, CO and Tuba City, AZ. Total cost of Gas to get here - $106.00. Yes I could have flown Southwest for that, but then I would still have to rent a car.

No major hiccups, great weather and I cleared three 'passes' on the way:

• Kenosha (9,997 ft)
• Poncha (9,010 ft)
• Wolf Creek (10,856 ft)

I also saw a few 'sights' on the way:

• Coney Island Hot Dog Stand (looks like a giant hot dog)
• Chimney Rock
• Ship Rock

Slept on the floor of my buddy Tommy's hotel room last night as my check in isn't until 3:00pm today.

1st stop Lamar's Donuts for breakfast then off to Salt River for Rockies graphing.

After Rox it will be over to Surprise for Rangers afternoon practice and graphing (night game).

More to follow!!!

[rays54]

Re: Spring Training Sabattical 2012

Smitty
Have a safe trip.

[xpress34]

Re: Spring Training Sabattical 2012

And today (March 27th) it begins in earnest...

The annual journey to the promised land that is known as:

SPRING TRAINING!!!

My trek to the Cactus League Fields of Arizona starts later this morning when I get on 285 South towards Sedalia then head West on 160 to Durango... down through 4 Corners, Tuba City, Flagstaff.... and then - I'm there. The place where dreams are renewed and I recharge for the year ahead...

More posts - and pictures - to come....

- Smitty

[xpress34]

Re: Spring Training Sabattical 2012

It was great to meet you Smitty. Hope to see you in Arizona.

Drew -

Sounds good. I leave Denver sometime on the 27th of March (I have to work that morning) and should arrive in Phoenix sometime LATE on the 27th or EARLY on the 28th.

- Smitty

[lcstate collector]

Re: Spring Training Sabattical 2012

It was great to meet you Smitty. Hope to see you in Arizona.

[xpress34]

Re: Spring Training Sabattical 2012

Pre Spring Training Trip Update:

On the way out to Cashman Field in Las Vegas to chase Texas Rangers Autos and meet up with LCSTATE COLLECTOR!!!

Update to follow!!!

Now as we move on from the 'Hoover DAM' debacle...

Just got back to Denver late last night from the Las Vegas part of my Spring Training excursion...

Went to Cashman Field on Saturday and met Andrew (Drew) - lcstate collector - to watch the Rangers/Cubs and chase some autos... the only one I got on Saturday was Nelson Cruz on a piece of artwork. Hambone told us if we were going to the game he would sign inside. Unfortunately, I was not in the right position inside and missed out there too... The Rangers won 12-7.

Went back Sunday and got Matt Kata and Hambone made up for Saturday - signed my 2011 ASG Jersey and two artwork pieces! 'Eva Braun' behind home plate blocked my attempts to get Nolan's signature despite the best attempts of some of the ushers to get me down by him for a quick auto...

Drew (lcstate collector) is a great guy and it was awesome to meet him. he will be in Phoenix the same time as me, so I hope to hook up again to grab a beer and some graphs while we're there.

Pics from Cashman will be forthcoming....

- Smitty

P.S. - one week of work, then back on the road for the main portion of my annual sabbatical... driving the 1990 VW Cabrio to Phoenix (then Tucson to leave it with my brother) then flying back from Tucson.

I will be down there from sometime LATE on the 28th of March and heading to Tucson either Saturday night (March 31st) or Sunday morning (April 1st) and flying back to Denver Tuesday morning (April 3rd)... then Opening Day the following Monday (April 9th!!!).

[xpress34]

Re: Spring Training Sabattical 2012

I think she works at one of the "ranches" and earns her nickname very well. HAHAHAHA.

[xpress34]

Re: Spring Training Sabattical 2012

Hoover DAMN???

Dave Miedema

It's become habit Dave... outside Berthoud, CO in the Big Thompson Canyon is a little store near the Big Thompson Dam called the Dam Store. When I 1st came to Colorado it was named the Damn Store and then changed to Dam Store (what with Political Correctness and all)...

That said, I started writing Dam as Damn after seeing the store the 1st time and now I can't help myself...

- Smitty

[jppopma]

Re: Spring Training Sabattical 2012

Hoover DAMN???

Dave Miedema

I think she works at one of the "ranches" and earns her nickname very well. HAHAHAHA.