Days 1 and 2 of MFC 2016

A cloudless sky greeted me this morning as I arose in Port St. Lucie, Florida. I first heard about PSL back in the late 80s. I was still living in the Tampa Bay Area at that time and the Mets were going to be leaving their spring home in St. Petersburg for what was essentially some undeveloped swamp land clear across state. The Mets had shared spring facilities with the St. Louis Cardinals and I attended as many spring games as I could during my Florida years. When I heard of this town my first reaction was, "Where the £¥€% is that?" I feared that I would need to drive nearly three hours due east to see my team during my months of March. But, as things turned out, I moved to Minneapolis after their first spring in their new home. 

I made my way to the complex and entered the clubhouse. Most of those players who have reached here despite incredible weather conditions in the NYC area or who came in from other locales were on the field. Batting practice was underway on field 5. I found my locker location for this week. Stall number 149, which is only two lockers from my first one in 2013 which was number 151. I discovered that Jimmy D'errico was to my right. Jimmy was a teammate of mine in 2014 when we won the championship. A great guy and teammate he is. 

I greeted other familiar faces as I made my way to my locker. Anthony Young, Alan Friedman, Lance Johnson and Eric Hillman were some of the coaches whom I ran into in my first few minutes inside the locker room. 

I sat in front of my locker, just soaking in the experience. I looked at my new stark white uniform and my new blue road jersey. The uniforms have patches on the right sleeves which were worn by the major league team during the World Series last fall. Our new caps have the same logo on them as well.

On my way out to the field I encountered Jim Bruer. I have enjoyed Jim's comedy work on the comedy channel of Sirius/XM satellite radio. Jim also posted nightly during the Mets pennant run last fall. He was often the last thing I viewed before turning in each night. This is probably not the best thing to do if  one wants to "wind down" as Jim tends to be on the "moderately excited" to "crazed" end of the fandom spectrum. But given my reserved demeanor on my team most of the time, Jim would appear to be the yin to my yang. I told him that I was glad that he was here and that he was in for a treat. I told him also that I was writing a blog for the third year and that I would give him the link to check it out. 

I finally got around to putting my workout pants and jacket on and made my way out to field 5. By the time I got there it was obvious that the group was just about to call it a day. So my first workout won't take place until tomorrow. I took hitting practice back in Minnesota about six times during the last four weeks but I have not thrown a ball "in anger" since my championship game with my over-50 team back home. That's my first goal tomorrow. 

There are about 50 players who are due to arrive tomorrow evening after a three-flight day originating in the NYC area. They will have to quickly gather themselves and attend the opening night banquet and then be ready to play three games on Tuesday, starting at 8:30 a.m.  I'm sure they are all chomping at the bit to get here. 

The happy reunions will continue as campers arrive, along with it will be that moment when your brain cannot come up with the name of the guy in front of you. That's the moment when you fall back on generic terms like "bud", "pal", "bro", "kid", big-guy", "fella", "big pimpin'", "my man" and the ever-popular "dude". 

Day Two is tomorrow of my week of fun. I look forward to reconnecting with guys I've played with and against over the last three years. But if I call you "home slice" then your name is not only lost in my memory bank, my memory bank account is overdrwawn. 

Our first day of organized drills started with the ride to the complex. I entered the quiet clubhouse and took a seat on the stool in front of my locker. I unpacked the remainder of my equipment. I took the small urn which I received at my aunt's memorial on Saturday and placed it on the top shelf near my batting helmet. I thought she'd like to spend a few days in the clubhouse of her favorite team. 

I moved to the kitchen area and got a little breakfast for myself. I sat with some players whom I'd played with and against in my first two camps. We looked at the rosters and looked forward to how good our respective teams may be. Following that I put my new iPod in my pocket and went out for a walk through the fields and took some photos of the sunrise on them. I qued-up "Beautiful Day" by U2 as I started the stroll as I thought it was just appropriate for the situation. 

After my walk I went back to the clubhouse, only to find that out meeting had been pushed back by about 90 minutes. That was quite alright as during that time former Mets coach Joe Pignatano sauntered over to my locker area.  "Piggy" is a joy to be around and he tells the greatest stories about his career as a player and coach. The three or four guys who were near us all were listening with great interest. I just kept asking the questions because if you ask him, he'll tell ya all you could want to know.  

We hit the field around 10am for drills and batting practice. I got into the cage and hit the ball pretty well. Granted, bating practice is not indicative of much, other than the fact that my eyes are still functioning well. I threw for a while but still need to get some "long toss" in in order to stretch out properly. The drills took us up to the lunch break. During that time Dwight Gooden finally arrived from New York and he gave me a warm greeting when I saw him. No, I did not call him "bro", "dude" or "pal". 

We had scrimmage games with the players who are in camp at 1:30 in order to get a feel for things. The coaches pitched today, behind protective screens, given the fact that we are due to play three games tomorrow. The weather for tomorrow looks very nice, kinda like today. The high today was in the low 70s and tomorrow should be warmer. Wednesday looks rainy as does Thursday, but optimism is high that it will just graze us. 

The minor injury list grew quickly during the scrimmage games. I saw players lining up for the training room to get the aches and pains addressed by the incredible training staff. I have yet to enter the trainers' room except to make my way into the whirlpool.  I do the best I can to keep away from those folks. During the lunch hour there were sightings of Mets pitcher Zach Wheeler who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. There was also a sighting of shortstop Wilmer Flores who was in the training room as well. You just never know who may drop in. 

There is a group of players who are due into PSL tonight after three flights earlier today. One group had their flight cancelled last night, but I hear that they are on their way. HOW they are getting here I know not. I just hope they do. The guys who arrive tonight will attend the opening banquet which has been pushed back to 9:30 this evening. Boy, they're gonna tired when they get here. 

Tomorrow we hit the field for three games. Who knows what the results will be. The teams are divided up, but no one has played as a team yet. Given those facts, even Vegas wouldn't take bets on any team. Heck, some teams will need to introduce themselves to each other. 

One side note. Around lunch time a few of us noticed that an unused locker, about 15 feet from my own locker, had a nameplate over top with the name PIAZZA on it. In the locker was a pair of baseball pants and a towel. Along with it was a note, stating "Mike, when you get in stop by the equipment office". I don't know who signed it, but it got a bunch of us wondering "Would he really show here?" Stay tuned on that one. 

I do look forward to putting my new uniforms on, to be sure. The new stark whites and the blue road jerseys will be new to me and most all of us. 

Banquet tonight, games tomorrow. The fun continues.