Cactus League Adventures: Day Two (March 6, 2007)
Tuesday started off much better than Monday. The weather was absolutely spectacular…clear skies, light breeze, and 80 degrees. I originally had planned to go to Phoenix to watch Oakland take on Kansas City, but there was some kind of Grand Prix road test that was causing closures around the city. I decided to change my plans and head over to Scottsdale instead to take in the Giants – Angels game.
The difference between Surprise (from yesterday) and Scottsdale is like night and day. Scottsdale is a picturesque and historic town. It certainly appears that a great deal of money has been invested in taking care of the streets and the structures. In the midst of the downtown area is Scottsdale Stadium…and it fits right in.
I really liked Surprise Stadium yesterday, but I absolutely loved the ballpark in Scottsdale. The area is just beautiful and the stands are closer to the field than any other park I’ve ever seen. I was actually overwhelmed a little by the whole experience. It was like I died and went to heaven. Perfect weather, perfect ballpark, smiles on everyone’s faces, and baseball…what else could anyone ask for???
This is one scenario where the ballpark definitely enhances the game experience. It’s hard not to get involved. It’s almost like you’re on the field. In fact, you really have to pay attention to every pitch because a batted ball can be on you in no time.
Another great benefit of being so close is that the fans can literally talk to the players during the game. What I mean is that the players definitely hear the fans...pretty much ALL the fans. Several small exchanges between fans and players took place from the on deck circle, dugout, and even first and third base. I don’t think Angels first base coach (and former big leaguer) Alfredo Griffin ever stopped talking to people. It was quite the sight.
The press box at Scottsdale Stadium is a good size, but today it was packed. I get the sense, though, it is always full when Barry Bonds plays. There were hardly enough seats for even half the media in attendance. I didn’t try to squeeze in. Instead, I made my way down through the stands and found a seat about 8 rows behind the Giants dugout. I could live with this I thought! In fact, except for all the little tidbits of info you get while sitting among the press, it is far better to sit in the box seats at a Spring Training game.
The game got underway with Matt Cain on the mound for the Giants. I know I’m beating the seating situation to death, but I can’t emphasize how essential it is to this experience. From my vantage point, I could tell every type of pitch Cain was throwing. I’m not exaggerating at all either. Ok, so I was a catcher in high school and have good pitch recognition skills, but how often can you see the full spin and break of a curve from the seats in a ballpark?
Cain struggled a little today. The Angels hit him relatively hard, but let’s go back to Matt’s pitches again for a moment. If this were anything other than a Spring Training game, one might be a little more concerned. However, in his 2 + innings of work, I could count on one hand the combined number of curve balls and changeups Cain threw. He was basically throwing all fastballs. I find it hard to believe that would be the case during the regular season.
Matt Cain aside, today was the Barry Bonds show. Say what you will about Barry, people come to see him. I’ll admit it. I wanted to see him too. Look, Bonds almost certainly has a tainted body. I’m not going to argue against that. He can also really be a jerk at times. I’m not going to argue against that either. But there’s something likeable about the guy at this stage of his career. His smile is infectious. And you know what, he is still a great competitor, and he plays hard. I know I seem to waver with the wind on my feelings about Bonds, but as of now, I’m putting the debate in my mind to bed. Barry is not the first player, nor will he be the last player, to dabble in performance enhancing drugs. Until we have historical toxicology (which we’ll never have) reports on all Major League baseball players, I’m not going to pass judgment.
Observations from Today’s Game
- The Angels put some of their better prospects from the past few years on the field today including Casey Kotchman, Erick Aybar, and Jeff Mathis. They went 1-for-9 combined. Kotchman still has a great swing. Aybar, on the other hand, looks to me like he overswings on just about everything.
- Jose Molina replaced Mathis at catcher late in the game and looked fat and slow. I don’t mean just at bat either. He could barely move behind the plate.
- There were five broken bats during the game. I seem to remember this being a regular occurrence last year at Spring Training as well. I guess it has a lot to do with pitch recognition and timing.
- Barry Bonds does look like he’s in great shape. He stretched a single into a double and really turned it on going from first to second.
- A few funny Barry related items…on his first at bat, he fist bumped the home plate umpire like they were old friends. And every time Bonds was up, not only would the Angels employ the shift, they’d play the right fielder on the warning track!
- Omar Vizquel made a rare error on the turn of a potential 3-6-3 double play. Vizquel took his eye off the throw from Rich Aurilia, and the ball caromed off his glove.
- Speaking of Vizquel, I realized today that he and I look alike. We’re even missing hair in the same spots on our heads!
- Pictures from today’s game can be found here: Angels at Giants – March 6, 2007
General Observations of the Day
- I could really get used to this weather. It did cool down, however, a little later in the day…to 63 degrees! Sorry New York…
- I need to hit some of the restaurants around this town. There are so many I want to try.
- I’ve never seen as many car dealers as I have in Arizona.
Revised Schedule for the Remainder of My Trip
Wednesday, March 7
Oakland at Chicago Cubs in Mesa @ 1:05
Bobcats at Suns (Basketball) @ 7:00 – Life is not only about baseball. There are other sports (I think!)
Thursday, March 8
San Francisco at Milwaukee in Maryvale @ 1:05
Texas at Oakland in Phoenix @ 1:05
(I plan to take in ½ of each game)
Canucks at Coyotes (Hockey) @ 7:00
Friday, March 9
Chicago Cubs at Texas in Surprise @ 1:05
LA Angels at Kansas City in Surprise @ 7:05
Saturday, March 10
Texas at San Francisco in Scottsdale @ 1:05
Sunday, March 11
San Diego at Arizona in Tucson @ 1:05
Kansas City at Colorado in Tucson @ 1:05
(I plan to take in ½ of each game)
If you missed my report from day one, you can find it here:
Day One (March 5, 2007)
