VIERA, Fla. -- OK, that promise I made yesterday not to complain about the weather down here anymore? Yeah, I'm reneging on that. It's cold today. I mean cold. It was 38 degrees this morning when I left the hotel, and there's a steady 20 mph wind that leaves the wind chill in the 20s. (Note: This may be the first time in Florida meteorological history that the term "wind chill" has ever been used.)
Anyways, the players are getting all bundled up to head out to the practice fields. Jim Riggleman said he was going to make a point to emphasize to them to wear plenty of layers and to take extra precautions with stretching and getting loose before engaging in any serious physical activity.
Meanwhile, in non-weather news, today is physicals day for all the position players (plus apparently members of the PR staff -- hope they pass) so we'll only see a few them straggling in and out of the complex. Everyone had reported to the stadium by yesterday, except for Josh Willingham and Elijah Dukes. Willingham's wife Ginger just gave birth Tuesday night in Alabama to a baby boy: Ryder Jon Willingham, who clocked in at eight pounds and 22 inches. Josh is expected to arrive in Viera this weekend. Dukes, meanwhile, has not actually been seen at the ballpark, and Riggleman couldn't confirm this morning that the outfielder has actually reported. I'll see if I can find out anything more. (Also, Cristian Guzman was in camp for several days earlier in the week but has since left to be with his wife, who is due to give birth any day now.)
The newest addition to camp, Livan Hernandez, isn't here yet but will be in the next day or two. Riggleman had good things to say about the veteran right-hander, and explained the club's reason for this signing.
"He is a pro," Riggleman said. "He does all the things, holds runners, does all the little things with the bat to help the ballclub, knows hitters, throws strikes. Just a durable guy. He's a nice addition to bring into camp here. There's no promises being made, or anything like that. But I think Mike [Rizzo] has felt all along that with Lannan and Marquis, we have Olsen, and then you look at those last two spots ... and if Olsen is 100 percent it changes the dynamics a little bit. But if he's not, you're looking at two or three spots with people who don't have a lot of experience in the big leagues. I think we feel more comfortable having another option there, especially as we watch Olsen go through the spring."
OK, time to put on my parka, my ski cap, my gloves and anything else I can cobble together before heading down to the practice fields. If I survive, you can listen to me at 1:30 p.m. today on ESPN 980 AM, talking Nats with Kevin Sheehan and my old buddy Thom Loverro (whose lack of presence down here this spring has been noticeable).
12 comments:
If Elijah Dukes was a better player we would just all say that is "Elijah being Elijah". Until then he needs to get his butt in camp in mid-February.
(re. the weather report: cues plaintive violin music ;-))
Thanks for the updates, and congrats to the Willingham family. That's one big boy - maybe a future ballplayer?
"Two or three spots with people who don't have a lot of experience in the big leagues."
So ... no big hopes for Batista after all?
I hope Dukes has a damn good reason to be basically the only guy who didn't show up early for camp, considering that he's underperforming in right field and has basically been given his baseball life back by this organization...
Interesting correlation (although, my sample size is 1). Willingham apparently conceived his child last May (nine months ago), which is the exact same time that he started smacking the ball like crazy.
To another kid in 2011, Josh!
Hunker down Mark tomorrow morning is suppose to be a record low of 32!!!
Thanks for letting us know your radio schedule. Please continue to let us know when you will be on air.
Are the PR physicals a joke or might we see a picture of Mike Gazda on a tredmill? Does the whole front office get physicals or just the pr guys? Can we get a report on the fastest mile in the front office?
Quit ragging on Dukes for not reporting early. How many other guys played 2 months of winter ball? He knows how important this year is. Not coming into camp early is utterly unimportant.
I'm not worried about Dukes, they have Bernadina, Morse and as we've read, Desmond, plus Maxwell.
In the end its about the pitching ... they are hedging their bets with the young guys that came up ... clearly there is real concern about the lack of quality starts from them.
Perhaps everyone will end up back in Syracuse with just veterans in the rotation. It doesn't look like Olsen will be ready for opening day; they still need another left-handed starter. Leaves a big wide opening for Thompson or Chico who at this point appear to be the only available options.
These married couples need to time their conceptions/pregnancies better--babies should be born in the *off* season, not during Spring Training, just like weddings! Doesn't anyone else's life revolve completely around baseball anymore?
At least we know that all aspects of Guzman's game are not hampered by bunions.
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