Ambassadors of the Sun
When I chaperoned Chip, Kevin and Big Daddy to Florida last week for our coverage of spring training, the ground was covered in snow and temperatures were in the 30’s. When we arrived in Florida the temperatures were in the 50’s and 60’s with clear skies everday.
On the first day of our trip, Kevin and I were in the press box at Joker Marchant Stadium, while Chip and Big daddy worked the stands. It was in the press box that Kevin and I met Jim Hendricks who was a longtime sport media person in Detroit and still does sports in Lakeland. He passed on some great stories to us, one of which included his start as a Tiger bat boy in 1951 and all the great players he had interaction with.
The next day we were off to Steinbrenner Field in Tampa to cover the Yankees where we saw Curtis Granderson and some other Yankee players. It’s a beautiful park with lots of history.
Chip and Big Daddy stayed in Lakeland to cover the Tigers. All of us were impressed with the new Tiger Austin Jackson, and Johnny Damon got four thumbs up from the ST60 crew.
Saturday, we all covered the Houston Astros in Kissimmee. They were called the Kissimmee Astros, but now, when they are in Kissimmee, they’re the Osceola County Astros (u figure it out). They were playing the Braves and I got a picture with Dodger Great Don Sutton.
We all talked with ex-tiger Brent Clevlen who was Big daddy’s favorite. All in all, we met some great people during our trip and we came across lot’s of transplanted Michiganders.
On Saturday we had dinner at Medieval Times. It was a great show, with Knights, horses and fun. When we arrived back in Michigan the snow had melted, the temperature was in the 40’s and maybe even 50. We are truly ambassadors of the sun.
Awesome jobs I must say. Soundslike alot of fun
Comment by jerry — March 10, 2010 @ 1:40 pm
Heck yes, Did the Tigers look like they will compete this year.?j
Comment by ken — March 10, 2010 @ 4:24 pm
Went to a medieval times in Atlanta last year. It is pretty fun. you guys are so versed in everything.
Comment by james — March 10, 2010 @ 8:31 pm
What a trip!!! It was cool talking to the players from all of the different teams. I had to remind myself that these are just regular guys like us who get paid REAL NICE to play a kids game. The weather was beautiful, the fields were immaculate, and the atmosphere was pure BASEBALL. Starting from the ride down in the Sportstalk van to the long ride home with multiple stops was worth every minute. Sir Laughs-alot, Sir Shrimps-alot, Sir Stinks-alot, and multiple nicknamed John definitely had a one of a kind trip.
The Tigers look strong with a few exceptions. A couple bad at bats and errors in the field but this is Spring Training. They haven’t played since September. Pictures with Willie Horton and talking to Ryan Raburn was, well I can’t even describe
Talking to Texiera, Marcus Thames, and Curtis Granderson for the Yankees is something I will never forget (along with getting thrown out of the batting cages!) Steinbrenner Field is a sight for any baseball fan to see. A mini replica of their New York Stadium (the one that Ruth built).
And the Houston Astro’s field was also something to see. We talked to Brent Clevlend, some of us missed out on pics with Don Sutton, and John and I got our picture taken with Jenny Finch. Beautiful……
Anyways, I can type forever and I am sure we will talk about the trip on Friday. Listen in and call….. See ya Friday.
Comment by KevfromtheManKave — March 11, 2010 @ 1:10 pm
I could’nt of said it any better. Wait I did, Kevin took my article from my folder.
Comment by john — March 11, 2010 @ 5:05 pm
Did Curtis want to come back to the Tigers? Sounded like a great trip.
Comment by larry — March 13, 2010 @ 5:03 pm
We beat up on the Yanks. Johnny Damon had a nice homer.
Comment by ken — March 14, 2010 @ 10:29 am
good pics on the photo page. Nice trip to Spring training
Comment by james — March 24, 2010 @ 11:42 pm