Spring Training

[RTK]

Bought Spring Training tickets today. Snow on the ground be damned.

Can't wait!

[gregr2]

What games? Where?

[RTK]

Originally Posted by gregr2

What games? Where?

Arizona for the lowly Cubs, plus take in a couple Coyotes games.

[RTK]

Does anyone know of any memorabilia shops in the Phoenix area? The one thing I enjoy about spring training are the silent auctions & "old timer's" autograph tables set up at a couple of the parks.

Anyone else go to spring training?

[RTK]

[glenv]

Don and Charlie's is the place to go to see memorabilia. It's a pricey steakhouse with an amazing collection of sports items. You might even see some players around after their games. 7501 E Camelback Rd, Scottsdale.

Not a lot of card shops around Phoenix. The Batter's Box on 2855 W. Camelback (just west of I-17) is probably your best bet.

[RTK]

Originally Posted by glenv

Don and Charlie's is the place to go to see memorabilia. It's a pricey steakhouse with an amazing collection of sports items. You might even see some players around after their games. 7501 E Camelback Rd, Scottsdale.

Not a lot of card shops around Phoenix. The Batter's Box on 2855 W. Camelback (just west of I-17) is probably your best bet.

Thanks. We've been to Don & Charlie's, saw Tommy Lasorda on his way out the door last year. It is a pretty cool place with a ton of stuff. I may have to check out the card shop.

[tachyonbb]

Enjoy your trip. I hope you get some very warm weather. We go about every other year. Went last spring, Cubs game (last year at HoHoKam), Giants game in Scottsdale (great venue) and tried the new Salt River Fields for a Diamondbacks Cubs game. Also went to an Arizona State Game. A great week of warm temperatures, baseball and time with family. The only problem was getting used to freezing temperatures when we returned. We have been going since 1975 and have had great times and made great memories.

[nebboy]

Cubs game (last year at HoHoKam)

I also made the trip last year to see the park before it closed. Nice trip, hope to go to see new park next year. John

[RTK]

Yah, I'm ready to get out of the cold we're having in the Chicago area. I'm looking forward to the new Facilities the Cubs built too.

[RTK]

...been back a week to the cold & snow. I wish I was still out their.
We saw five games, four at the new Cubs park and one at the facility the Reds & Indians share. I really enjoy seeing the high end prospects early in their major league career; Baez, Soler, etc. The new Cubs park is nice, maybe too big for the cozy spring training atmosphere that is so enjoyable (10,000 to 14,000 fans) Traffic getting in and out is just as bad as Wrigley too. One game, against the Indians at Goodyear ballpark,had a much smaller crowd with easier access in and out, our seats were second row above the Cubs dugout. The park is nice, a bit smaller and more intimate. The MLBPA had a silent auction at Goodyear of signed photos, bats, balls, jerseys. I bid on a signed Mike Trout jersey but lost out to someone paying the "buy now price" right at the end, he paid a couple hundred dollars more than my bid. However, I did score high bid on thee signed photos: b/w Monte Irvin (NYG) sliding into home, b/w Luis Aparicio (CWS) and a color, limited edition 24/27, Mike Trout head first slide . I would have liked the Trout jersey but the three photos were considerably less than the jersey. At Cubs park I picked up a signed Fergie Jenkins autobiography, a ball signed by Gaylord Perry and a cool b/w photo of Larry Doby, Satchel Paige and Mudcat Grant signed by Grant. Fergie is always at Cubs Park with a player raising money for his foundation. Now I can't wait for the season to start....and warm weather.