I know this is late, but some Spring Training photos...

We touched down at Sarasota-Bradenton Airport, checked into the hotel, and set off immediately to see the ballpark. The weather was incredible - a beautiful 80+ degrees, sunny, a real joy inspiring evening. Green parakeets and palm trees greeted us as we left the airport. I thought the week would be perfect.

Then came the weather...

We arrived at the ballpark before ten on the morning of the Indians-Reds game. Perhaps it was even 9:30. That is too early. The minor leaguers mostly stood around listening to guys like Tom Browning and other coaches. It wasn't until after 11 when the real Reds came out. It looked as if Dunn were leading the stretching exercises. It was a little funny to see the guys all out on the field like that. Reminded me of when I used to play ball.

As the Reds took batting practice on Johnny Bench field, Griffey proclaimed his meterological expertise by informing those around him that there would be no game, that the weather would take care of that. Because of his expectations, he told the two dozen people watching BP that he was "just going for distance." He and Dunn had a contest going of sorts, though neither of them hit many out. Among those watching the contest were Dusty Baker and George Foster. Despite their games, there seemed to be a serious attitude towards batting practice I hadn't seen before when it came to Reds BP.

George Foster looks like he could still play. The guy is really nice, too. He signed a ball for me, and there was this sort of legendary glow about him and about that ink that cast a magical sense about the whole experience. I mean, this guy hit 50 homers for the Big Red Machine, that quasi-mythical team that I've only had the pleasure of reading about.

If this is your kid and you want me to take this picture down, let me know. I couldn't resist posting it. How cute!

We were sitting on the bleachers in between the practice fields watching the minor league pitchers and catchers who had just reported on the previous day and this kid was quietly playing with his Thomas trains. He was a very well-behaved kid, and I commend the parents - here's one kid I wouldn't mind sitting next to at a ballgame!

How long will Ryan Freel put on that Reds uniform? Even more than Jay Bruce, who got royally screwed by Dusty Baker's signing of Corey Patterson (come on, Wayne, stand up to the man), Freel suffers. Who wouldn't rather see Freel in center over Patterson? Or Hopper, for that matter? A lead off hitter leads off once a game. The whole concept is overrated. Besides, Corey Patterson has a career on base percentage of .299. That is NOT a lead off hitter's number.

The wind was fierce and blowing straight in from right field. The ugly day was not conducive to photos of the stadium, but we had three others to attend in the week, so I refrained from a lot of photos on the ugly day. Here's one, though. You can see how windy it was from the banner flying straight out. (And can the city of Cincinnati install these baseball lights on their lampposts?)

The game started despite Griffey's predictions, but we knew we would not avoid the rain. It wasn't supposed to start until 3pm but made its presence known to us and our ponchos an hour earlier than that. About two wet innings survived the weather until the tarp came on in the top of the fifth inning. It never came off.

Ed Smith has nowhere to get out of the rain except for the bathrooms and a couple rows at the top of the stands. We were wet, but fortunately it was just warm enough to keep us from being miserable. Aaron Harang pitched 4 innings for the win.

Grady made the trip, which I was quite happy about. Like so many others, he's my favorite Indian. Victor Martinez also made the trip, so the team wasn't totally devoid of its stars.

Good times, despite the weather. And the Reds won, too!