Mike McCann's Field of Fotos

Here's one of the benefits of being a self-confessed packrat: I found this in a box of old media guides.

Notice the field closest to the camera: that nicely groomed infield dirt surrounded by fresh grass is now known as Heritage Field. The location of the field at the original Yankee Stadium has been restored for use by neighborhood and amateur players. The majestic current ballpark overlooks the spot its ancestor filled in the Bronx for 85 years. Fans who travel to Yankee Stadium by Metro North Railroad walk past this truly hallowed ground en route to the day or night's game.

December 23rd serves up some notable baseball birthdays: Brad Lidge (above, in a St Patricks Day exhibition game) enjoyed a perfect 2008 season, with no blown saves as the Phillies won the World Series. Jerry Koosman (below), was the standout lefthander on the Mets 1969 champions (and the only pitcher on that team to win two games in that year's World Series). He's second from the right in a 2009 Citi Field salute honoring that team's 40th anniversary -- with Yogi Berra (a coach that season), Nolan Ryan, Jerry Grote, Tom Seaver and Duffy Dyer. Hanley Ramirez of the Marlins (above) is expected to move from shortstop to 3rd base in 2012 to make room for the arrival of the former Met Jose Reyes. Josh Satin, yet another December 23rd baby, made his major league debut with the Mets last September.

Actually, the #4 line is an "el" as in elevated train -- a uniquely New York combination.

It's always a pleasure watching Ichiro. There's an artistic dedication to his form -- how he swings, the way he throws a ball from the outfield, or, in this case, smoothly sliding into home plate.

With all the hoopla around Albert Pujols leaving the Cardinals for the Angels, the time's right to get a look at the ballpark he'll call home for the next decade. I last visited in March 2008 for a "freeway series" exhibition with the Dodgers. Couldn't help but be impressed by the palm-framed concession stands outside the stadium. And here's the field itself: looking toward the outfield, and below, a sense of what he'll see manning 1st base. Below, of course, the goal: to bring the Angels another World Series championship, to go along with one they earned in 2002.

So the deciding factor wasn't the no-trade clause, or even the mega-money. Albert Pujols just wanted to sure he'd be wearing red. A free agent for the first time, he trades his Cardinal threads for the similar color of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Or perhaps Albert's kids got tired of Six Flags over Mid-America and preferred the idea of hanging out at Disneyland.

The Marlins reeled in their second big free agent this off-season, signing Jose Reyes to a 6-year deal worth more than 100-million dollars. (He joins newly acquired closer Heath Bell.) The bold but brittle speedster became the first Met ever to win a batting title in 2011. This four-time all-star and three-time stolen base champ leaves New York after nine seasons, but only one trip to the post-season. Is this the most painful departure of a Mets player since Tom Seaver? Since David Cone? Mike Hampton? Feel free to leave a comment on Reyes and the direction the organization seems to be taking.