Mike McCann's Field of Fotos

  I've followed Matt Rizzotti for the last couple of seasons. Not too many New York-area kids make the majors, but the Long Island native seemed to have a chance to become the exception to the rule.    After two years of posting good power numbers at AA (with sub-par defensive skills), the Phillies traded him to the Twins today. Perhaps concentrating on being a DH, especially for a club with a lack of young sluggers, can be his ticket to the majors.

A decade after joining the Seattle Mariners, Ichiro Suzuki (seen here in 2010 at Yankee Stadium) returned home to start the 2012 season with a flair. His four hits helped power the M's to a 3-1 win over the Oakland Athletics at the Tokyo Dome. A heckuva homecoming in Ichiro's first MLB regular season game in Japan.

Special contributor Peter King checks in from Bradenton, the Spring Training home of the Pirates since 1969. Unlike the recent wave of Grapefruit League parks that bear corporate names, McKechnie Field is named for a longtime Pirates manager (and Hall of Fame inductee) who made his home in the Florida city. (Here's Bill McKechnie's resume .) On what looks like another perfect day for a game, say hello to Peter and Pirates broadcaster (and former star pitcher) Steve Blass.    The Pirates' parrot mascot hasn't changed much over the last 20 years -- since I first spotted him scooting around Three Rivers Stadium. He does seem to have gained a crew!  

Baseball's most stunning news of spring training came out of Tampa yesterday, when we learned of Joba Chamberlain's horrific ankle injury. Described by some as "Theismann-esque," the Yankees pitcher shattered his ankle, and incurred a serious skin wound in a trampoline accident at a local recreation center. He'd gone there to play with his five-year-old son -- but may have ended the day with his five-year major league career in tatters.

Chipper Jones made headlines today, announcing that 2012 will be the final season of his Hall of Fame-bound career. Thanks to Peter King for being on hand as Jones spoke to reporters in Orlando. With 454 home runs after 18 seasons, has he surpassed Eddie Mathews as the Braves all time best 3rd baseman?

Thanks again to Peter King, who caught the Marlins' top free agent prize Jose Reyes warming up before the start of today's Grapefruit League game against the Astros in Jupiter. Below, it's Jose's turn at bat. He went 3 for 4 in a 7-4 Miami loss to Houston.

Good friend Peter King of CBS News was on hand at Kissimmee today to catch the Mets and Astros. (Your New York battery is Mike Pelfrey and Josh Thole). 50 years ago, they were the National League's first expansion teams. In 2012, their chances of making the post-season don't look a heck of a lot better than their forebears that played in the Polo Grounds and Colt Stadium. Wait! It's March, where hope still springs eternal and the Florida sun shines brightly.

It appears that Andy Pettitte missed the Yankees as much as they missed him. Just 13 months after deciding to retire , he's changed course. Following a year away from the game, the veteran lefthander had been serving as a spring training instructor. Turned out, that experience fueled his competitive juices.  It led to his throwing a batting practice session and a chance to re-sign, on what for now is still a minor league contract, with the Yanks. So, to quote Sean Connery, we're looking at a "never say never again" situation.

Some late afternoon views just before a Yankees/Pirates exhibition in March 2011.  A nice detail is the copy of Yankee Stadium's frieze (awning) above the seating area.    You have to love the glowing clouds at dusk.

While the current generation of spring training parks begin to approach the level of lavishness you see in the majors, I thought it'd be fun to look back at one of their long-gone predecessors. This is Jack Russell Russell Stadium, then-home to the Phillies.

My friends Dennis and Sue are in Florida this week. Sue did a great job with her iPad, snapping and sending pictures from today's Mets/Marlins game in Jupiter. Above: manager Terry Collins chatting with a couple of fans. Above: the projected middle infield combo of Daniel Murphy and Ruben Tejada. Below: Murphy in the on-deck circle. Are you surprised at the ballpark being just half-full? If you've been following the Yankees, Red Sox, Phillies or Cardinals, you're used to seeing packed crowds in March. That's not the case here.

March 2009: Hideki Matsui is featured on the scoreboard of Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. That fall, he'd go on to win World Series MVP honors as the Yankees won their 27th championship.

Four months and a week after the Cardinals won a surprising World Series victory, followed by a winter of surprising trades and free agent signings, ballclubs across Florida and Arizona are welcoming fans to the first exhibition games. These are from a year ago at the Phillies' second home Bright House Field in Clearwater. Bats and balls, gloves, caps and green grass. I'm ready, are you?