Mike McCann's Field of Fotos

Counting down those final days to the season opener, here are scenes taken before the Yankees-Pirates night game two weeks ago tonight. Above, the Yankees' Hideki Matsui signing a couple of autographs for fans. Below, the very affable Yankee minor leaguer Justin Leone came over to chat. If you were casting a movie and needed someone to cast someone as a ballplayer, wouldn't this young 3rd baseman fit the bill? Below, Johnny Damon (L) and Xavier Nady (R). Only center fielder Bret Gardner is missing your 2009 starting outfield. Strrrreeetching... that's Mark Texiera on the left and Matsui to our right.

The final chapter of this year's Grapefruit League extraveganza takes place at Fort Lauderdale Stadium, the former spring home of the Yankees. Now occupied by the Orioles, the stadium, state of the art for the early-1960s, now comes off as bland and a bit antiquated. The Mets visit the Orioles, with most of today's pictures shot from the press box atop the ballpark. Here's sweet-swining Orioles rightfielder Nick Markakis making contact. The threat of rain holds down the crowd... as does a less-than-stellar Orioles team. It's going to be hard to even approach .500 ball playing in the same division with the defending champion Rays, the wild-card Red Sox, reloaded Yankees and talented Blue Jays. Second baseman Luis Castillo is one of the Mets having a good spring. Here's the moment before he steps on home to score. I liked the angle capturing the view up the 1st base line with the batter, the runner and the fielders. Late in the game, reporters head downstai...

The unique nature of spring training baseball... players signing autographs before the game (this is Marlins catcher John Baker)... and even the biggest of stars such as the Phils' Ryan Howard having to carry their own gear on road trip. Same story for his Philadelphia teammate Jayson Werth. Old friends catching up -- Phillies manager Charlie Manuel and former Marlins skipper Jack McKeon (who led Florida to their 2003 World Series championship) Between the two, you're looking at a combined 90 years professional experience. On the field at Roger Dean Stadium, a Marlins rally is snuffed out by this tag play at 3rd base. And Werth puts his swing on display. No work... all play. That's why I'm here.

Day three of the "6 in 5" has us following the Yankees on the "road." They visit the Houston Astros in Kissimmee, about 10 miles south Orlando. Osceola County Stadium is a little charmer... wonderful close-in seating behind the foul screen. Astros star Carlos Lee on his way back to the dugout. He can expect to walk 150 times. No one else in Houston's projected lineup looks like a capable hitter. Mark Texieira is going to make a huge impact on the Yankees. A sweet-swinging switch-hitter who fits right into the 3rd spot in the batting order, his defense is equally impressive. We met Sandy Koufax's old 3rd baseman today. A fascinating a friendly fellow known as "Frank Glenn" when he played 3rd base on a 1950s amateur team at the Brooklyn Parade Grounds. He backed a promising pitcher named Fred Wilpon on a team where a young Sandy Koufax played 1st base. Frank has spent a lot of his time this month watching the Astros. But he was even happier to talk ...

Yes, they got into the St. Patrick's Spirit at Steinbrenner Field... as the YMCA dance -- done after the infield dirt was smoothed following the 5th inning -- was led by Leprechauns!

Overcast and scattered sprinkles for our afternoon game at the Phillies' Florida home, Bright House Field. In contrast to the formal atmosphere of Steinbrenner Field, this place is fun and carefree, a Clearwater counterpart to Citizens Bank Park. The unique wrinkle is an arcade just beyond and above the outfield with a grassy berm for fans to watch the game, a tiki bar ("Frenchys") and other spots to nosh and chat. It's the Florida twist on Asburn Alley, which serves the same purpose in the same part of Citizens Bank Park. Below, impressive Phillies rookie outfielder John Mayberry Junior -- the son of the longtime Kansas City Royals 1st baseman. Chase Utley led off today for the Phils, who continued their tradition of wearing the green on Saint Patricks Day. The sign cleverly links Clearwater -- the Phillies spring training home for over 60 years -- to the parent club as well as the rest of the Phils' farm system. You've got to love this tee shirt -- combining...

There is nothing more envigorating than deep blue sky, lush green grass, bats, gloves, balls and freshly stitched uniforms to say "Winter's over." Yankees hosting the World Champion Phillies at George M. Streinbrenner Field in Tampa. Young center fielder Brett Gardner impressed -- hustling all the way on a triple. One of the highlights in the Yanks' 12-0 pasting of the Phils -- our first of six games in five days. (Below) The powerful swing belongs to Matt Stairs, whose two-run pinch hit home run in Game 4 of 2008 National League Championship Series made him a Philadelphia sports hero for all time. One of the new Yankees for 2009 is outfielder-1st baseman Nick Swisher. The beer was cold, the dogs were hot (though I confess, I had a Philly cheese steak instead) and the setting just about ideal. My latest attempt at a ballpark self-portrait. Bob Levy is this spring's traveling partner. He's back in the seats, while I wander with the camera -- finding him across ...