Tampa, FL - I finally reached the promised land. George M. Steinbrenner Field. Yankees vs. Jays. Of course, the Yanks lineup is a little thin - no Jeter, Arod, Tex or Cano. Their whole infield. Posada batted leadoff, probably to get at-bats. AJ Burnett started and looked shaky, not to mention the scare he had when he was hit by a come-backer in the second. Brian Bruney looked worse, walking 4 in an inning and a third. Sean wouldn't know any of this, since his nose was buried in his 3G watching for Gonzaga score updates in the NCAA tournament.
The four of us are sitting in section 219, down the left field line. This is by far, the biggest spring training park I've seen. The boys give me guff about the "nose bleeds" to keep up the tradition of razzing each other for the tickets we have each purchased. The seats, though, are not bad and it's a night game with an awesome breeze - sweatshirt weather. The food here is pretty decent, too.
The game - the Yank scrubs hold off the Jay scrubs, 7-4. Jeter's replacements look sharp, turning 3 double plays with a couple of hits, including a HR from Perez in the 8th. Austin Jackson shows off a strong arm in center and looks good at the plate. Can you say Jeter and Cabrera who? Speaking of my boy, Jeter, he's getting killed for his defense against Puerto Rico in the WBC. Seriously, it's time for a position change - CF? 2B and move or trade Cano? Hey, even Cal Ripken moved.
So, in the ninth inning, Sean and I moved down to the empty, cleared out handicapped seats (again) in the middle aisle. We weren't there for 2 pitches when one of the Yankee Gestapo ushers tells us we have to move because "they're pegging my ass". The man could not have been younger than 70 and they are volunteers, to boot. Is Steinbrenner personally calling this guy on the radio and chapping his ass? C'mon! You would have thought this guy was holding off Dan of the Monte from Ft. Myers park for his job. To make matters funnier, Craig and Butch were also booted out of handicapped seats by the first base side. I guess there's always a chance a horde of wheelchairs stroll in during the 9th inning. Recommend anyone moving seats late in the game to move as close to the field seats as possible and avoid the handicapper section. Those ushers don't quit.
Sean and Craig head north back to Cleveland tomorrow - good luck boys and stay warm. Enjoy the serenity while you can. And Sean, you heard it hear first, next game - Hilltoppers 71-Zags 64.
Go Irish - NIT.
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