Notes from First Day in Camp

It's always a tremendous, wonderful day to be alive, the first day of the spring in Dunedin at the Engelbert Complex-slash-Bobby Matrtick Training Centre. That was today.

I walked into the Jays clubhouse and the first guy I saw was a smiling Aaron Hill, looking bright, alert and ready to go. I told him that I knew I was a baseball guy when while watching the Super Bowl pre-game entertainment with Faith Hill and Jennifer Hudson made me think of Hill and Hudson the Jays' two second basemen of this decade.

Casey Janssen was there, ready to rock and roll in whatever job the Jays want him to do. I asked him the anniversary and he immediately knew I was talking about the surgery last March. He was smiling too.

By 9 a.m. this morning everyone was out of the clubhouse, about 25-30 guys in all, with the first official workout not even taking place until Monday. The only major league coach I saw was Brian Butterfield, who was looking for a new hat, because he didn't like the old-school "button" on top of this year's models. Nothing can help that mug. It might even distract people, which is good. The batting cages were busy starting at 8:15 am. These guys are anxious to go.

I saw Curtis Thigpen and said hi sheepishly. I thought he had been let go, but now I remember all it was that he was designated for assignment and he must have cleared waivers and accepted assignment to Syracuse ... I mean Las Vegas. That's going to take getting used to.

Even Shaun Marcum was out on the field throwing with a trainer - probably so his arm would look good by comparison. Shaun is scheduled to miss the entire year, but he was upbeat about the summer scheduled to stay in the Dunedin area. His family will come and join him in March.

Travis Snider was there, looking in great shape. He left his home in Washington state to go train in Arizona for a few weeks because the weather at home sucked. Global warming my ass.

I talked briefly to Canadian starting ace Scott Richmond. I suggested that he would be facing the U.S. in the opening game of the WBC at the Rogers Centre. He said that they had not decided and they might hold him back for the elimination game against Venezuela on Tuesday. The logic there is that you only need to finish Top 2 in the first round and so a 2-1 record is important. If they place emphasis on Italy and Venezuela, that might be the right strategy, although we both agreed it was fun to kick U.S. butt in Phoenix three years ago.

I asked Dustin McGowan if he was still looking at a May return to the rotation. "Hopefully," he said.

I'm now sitting in JJ Conch's Island Grill having lunch. The wireless is good. The weather's great.

Cheers.

Richard Griffin

Comments

[Adam Major]

Very jealous of the weather, and the spring training. But alas, as the obvious has already been pointed out, it's going to be another mediocre season for the Blue Jays. I wish I was still in Toronto, just watching baseball live is the single greatest thing ever. Nothing like a warm day, a cold beer, and a couple of dingers. Enjoy the spring training this year, Richard. Can't wait to see some baseball!

[Josh]

I am jealous. Snowing and raining at the same time in London, ON.
How do you get your job???? I hear the newspaper companies these days eh?
Regardless of the prospects of the Jays this season, I am just pumped for spring baseball and everything that goes with it.
Keep up the good work Mr. Griffin.

[Josh]

***I hear the newspaper companies AREN'T hiring these days...

[Clint]

Any sites of Russ Adams Richard, I see he's listed as a non-roster invitee for spring training now on the Jay's web page.

Also any updates on how Mills, Cecil and Romero look during spring training would be appreciated.

[Marc Bernard]

> I'm now sitting in JJ Conch's Island Grill having lunch.
> The wireless is good. The weather's great.

Sigh. I'm sitting at my desk, watching slush fall from the sky... but at least you're making me think of spring. :)

[R-Griff]

Hey, I've been down 24 hours and already it's hard to be down on the team. There is nolo gloom and doom (or realism) at spring training. As for Russ Adams, he's another guy like Thigpen that I forgot had cleared waivers and was still in the organization. He hasn't showed up yet -- or maybe I just didn't see him. Halladay likes Scott Richmond. Butterfield likes Brett Cecil. Cito should be in camp on Friday.

[Ben Wideman]

Even in SoCal I'm envious of your position in the Jays clubhouse. Keep those lovely reflections of how upbeat this team is! Even if it's false hope, it sure is nice to dream of this squad reaching the playoffs.

[Cam]

Hey Richard,

Now this is a nice article. You actually seem to be having fun covering baseball and not your usual mummbling and complaining about all things Jays.

[R-Griff]

Mumbling and complaining come with age...and it's never been about "all things" Jays. Those are just the mumblings and ramblings that people remember. Besides, what's not to have fun with with this job. Oh well, time to go to the ballpark. Looks like another great day.

[Marc Losier]

You've engendered the envy of all us poor suckas' here in T.O. Richard. Thanks alot! (keep up the solid reporting!)