I’m back
I took the offseason off everybody but I am back now that Spring Training is about to get started. I live in Clearwater, FL about two blocks from the stadium and I also work there. I will be updating this as often as I can with Phillies news.
Wow has it been a busy offseason for Ruben and the rest of the front office. We finally got Halladay! And to show just how hard of a worker he is, I have seen him at Brighthouse a couple of times, and he runs on the trail here everyday. I have a feeling that it will come down to Roy and Lincecum for Cy Young this year and Halladay wil have at least 20 wins. Giving up Drabek, Taylor, and D’Arnaud but we got back Aumont, Gillies, and Ramirez. Aumont is a natural freak. He is 6’7 and will probably slot in behind Roy and Cole in a few years. Gillies is legally deaf but had an amazing year last year, and I see Ramirez either at the back end of our rotation or in the bullpen in the coming years. I think dealing Lee was genius, he didn’t put up the numbers he should have in the regular season, he wanted CC type money, and in his career has one good major league season to his name.
Ruben the signed fan favorites Shane Victorino, Carlos Ruiz, and Joe Blanton to three years extensions, at what I believe to be below market value. Shane is one of the best fielders, has one of the best arms, and is amazing in the box and on the bases. Chooch is one of the best defensive catchers and has been improving in the box, and Blanton is a perfect starter to slot in somewhere in the 3-5 slots.
He got rid of light hitting Bruntlett, for light hitting (but better hitting) utility man Juan Castro. He added back up catcher Brian Schneider previously of the Nats and Mets. He brough Placido Polanco back as an upgrade at 3B. Ross Gload is now on as a more consistent bat bench to pair up with Greg Dobbs. Brian Bocock has been brought in to create some competition in the infield. The two Cubans, Jose Contreras and Danys Baez are now in town. Former Yankees Cody Ransom and Freddy Guzman have switched over to red pinstripes, while Perfect Game Saving Dewayne Wise is here now, and Wilson Valdez, the former Met is now a Phillie as well.
Our next entry will focus on lineups and rotations as well as what we lost this offseason.
mlblogsphilliesupanddown
Since you are minutes from stadium in Clearwater, need spring training info for February day trip.
4 guys from Miami area want to spend full day in Clearwater to see (possibly) morn & afternoon practice etc between 2/22 and 2/26. We want to get most baseball action for
our trip.
Suggestions for
Shibe Park Fan
Starting on the 18th pitchers and catchers will be doing their drills usually from 9 or 10 am-1 pm. This is a great time to meet a player or get autographs. Starting on the 18th it will be full squad workouts. After 1 they get showered and are not available to the fans. On the 26th the annual Phillies Phan Fest is from 5:30-8:30 P.M. It is held in Brighthouse Networks Field. It is free to get in and there is a small fee for the photo booths and autograph tables. I am not sure when the Yankees and the Blue Jays practice during the day but both sites are about with 30 minutes of the Phillies. I suggest seeing the players from start to finish and then going to Clearwater Beach which is one of the best, and then going to the Phan Fest. If you need more info let me know.
I know about now things are really starting to hop out at the Phillies complex.
Looking forward to that first Rays versus Phillies Sunday showdown.
Always a great time out at Bright House Field either at the Tiki Deck or getting some great food from Westshore Pizza.
Still love the way they did the bi-level Bullpens. Makes it easier to see who is warming-up, and also yell down to some old friends on either team.
I know Opie will have the grass green and ready in time.
Rays Renegade
http://raysrenegade.mlblogs.com
Rays-Phillies is always good, no matter who is playing or the weather. And Opie has the grass on the main field, the half field, and all four practice fields perfect already. That is why he is the best haha.
codered35-
Thanks for responding. Based on your info, we are planning on driving over either 2/23 or 2/24.
Will the full team be practicing both of these days? Is there any special scheduling or practice on those days?
Is there a charge to get in the facility? Can you give me street address for my GPS.
Any other suggestions appreciated.
shibeparkfan
Yes the whole team will be practicing both days.
9-1 most likely.
The facility is free to get into but there will be hundreds if not thousands of people there.
If you want an autograph try to get one there of go to the fenced and gated in parking lot at the main stadium after they are done.
You will see people there waiting for autographs and many of the guys will stop there on the way out.
The address for Carpenter Complex is 651 Old Coachman Rd.Clearwater, FL 33765
The address for Bright House Networks Field is 601 N Old Coachman Rd Clearwater, FL 33765