My 1000th Post

Time for taking note of a milestone -- this is my 1000th post since launching this blog seven years ago this month. To honor the occasion, I thought I'd share the very first photo I'd used here -- it's from Dodgertown during spring training of 2007. One of those times when the lighting, setting and action come together in an almost-magical way.

Thanks for making my place a regular stop of yours. One thing more to share, here's my essay that served as a kind of mission statement. I think it still holds true, as I look forward to the next thousand photos and stories:

First of all, welcome! My goal in launching this site is to share my enthusiasm and tap into yours for the hobbies and passions that have long been essential parts of our lives. Having been an active and at times rabid baseball fan since 1961, I've spend a large part of every spring, summer and early fall following the unsurpassed day by day drama that is baseball. Images we joyously absorb and hold so fondly, stories we love to share -- no other professional sport has the ability to make a fan think of both the action unfolding, as well as reference it to personalities, places and performances of the past.

 This ever unfolding story also has a visual aspect, which I have captured in many different places over the years. As we meet at this online "clubhouse," I look forward to sharing some of my favorite sports photography and how these images touch our lives.

 For this "opening night," a glimpse of a night game from last March -- Spring Training at Holman Stadium in Vero Beach, Florida. A charming, intimate, classic ballpark where fans sit amazingly close -- not only to witness today's stars and tomorrow's prospects. But you're also visiting hallowed ground for this is the field that legends and icons such as Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese, Roy Campanella, Carl Erskins, Duke Snider, Gil Hodges, Don Drysdale, Sandy Koufax, Johnny Podres, Maury Wills, Tommy and Willie Davis came each February and March to get into shape and mentally gear up for the season that would soon begin.

 And while the greats of the past likely played all their Grapefruit League games under the sun, there's a special dimension added as night falls upon this small spot of paradise on the Florida coast.

 I hope you'll enjoy stopping by, enjoying the images, tapping your own experiences and, as time rolls on, bringing new friends along to join us.

 Mike.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Rare Remnant of a Lost Ballpark

Image
When the subject of baseball in Brooklyn comes up, the discussion centers around Ebbets Field, the Flatbush venue most famously home to The Boys of Summer.  Those legendary 1940s and '50s teams that featured such historic and beloved players as Jackie Robinson, Duke Snider, Pee Wee Reese, Roy Campanella and Gil Hodges. Ebbets Field hosted its last major league game in 1957 and was torn down during the winter of 1960. But decades earlier, just before World War One, the Dodgers were based in the Park Slope area and played at Washington Park.  Once they moved out, the land was occupied by another stadium, which housed a different franchise.  The upstart Federal League, which played in the 1914 and '15 seasons, had a Brooklyn team called the TipTops.  Owned by a local baking magnate Robert Ward, whose company produced TipTop bread, the club took over the abandoned lot along 3rd Avenue and built a new brick and steel venue. The only no-hitter in the Federal League's two...
Read more

Will He Wear Zero in the Bronx?

Image
The Yankees bolstered their starting rotation with Thursday's signing of Marcus Stroman .  The Long Island native, who spent 2019 and '21 with the Mets before moving onto the Cubs, brings a 77-76 career record to the Bronx, along with a recent loyalty to uniform number (?) zero.  If he requests that, he'd become the third Yank to wear it, following the path of Adam Ottavino and Domingo German.  Of course, neither of their Yankee tenures ended all that well -- Ottavino struggled badly in 2020, before reviving his career with the Red Sox and Mets; German's alcohol and domestic violence issues sabotaged such Yankee highlights as last year's perfect game. Can a number truly be lucky? You can understand kids in little league or high school ball wanting to wear 2 in honor of Derek Jeter or 7 for Mickey Mantle.  But is there an heroic ballplayer associated with 0?  The closest I recall comes from pro football, where the Oakland Raiders Hall of Fame center Jim Otto wore...
Read more

Spring Training Flashbacks: Subway Series, Florida Style - 2016

Image
It's a return visit to the Mets' Florida home in Port St. Lucie, this time for a 2016 showdown with the Yankees. (Below), Joe Girardi and Brian Cashman chat during batting practice. Aaron Judge and Rob Refsnyder have their game faces on in the dugout... though neither would be in the starting lineup. (Above) A couple of Brooklyn natives that made their mark in New York baseball -- Lee Mazzilli and John Franco. (Below) Mets pitcher Josh Smoker makes friends by signing a few autographs. (Above) Mets reliever Jeurys Familia; (Below) 2nd baseman Neil Walker (Above) Curtis Granderson, one of the select few players to star for both the Yankees and Mets, getting ready for his third summer at Citi Field. (Below) Aaron Hicks came to the Yankees in a trade the previous November. 3rd baseman Chase Headley enjoying the Grapefruit League vibe, even against Mets ace Jacob deGrom. (Above) Mets slugger Yoenis Cespedes watches where he hit one... so does Joe Girardi from the visitor's dugou...
Read more