Mike McCann's Field of Fotos

With baseball now celebrating the date of Jackie Robinson's major league debut (April 15th) as an in-season holiday, a lot less attention is paid to the birthday of this iconic player and great American. It's January 31st -- since it didn't fall during the season, broadcasters never had the occasion to mention during a game, the way they might for a Derek Jeter (June 26th), Yogi Berra (May 12th) or countless other stars. But Jackie's legacy stands tall -- especially at Citi Field in New York, whose entrance rotunda honors him. Of the many pictures displayed at Citi, the one below is my favorite -- it conveys the spirit and unity of the Boys of Summer Dodger teams of the 1950s. Jackie isn't the only Hall of Famer with a January 31st birthday -- he shares it with fireballiong Nolan Ryan and the late Mister Cub Ernie Banks. That's a trifecta!

After a promising start in 2014, an elbow injury ended Orioles catcher Matt Wieters' season. With expectations that he should be back at full strength, productive seasons from Wieters and 3rd baseman Manny Machado (who also missed considerable time and underwent surgery) could help balance the loss of Nelson Cruz as the O's aim for their 2nd straight division title and 3rd playoff appearance in four years.

From August 3rd, 1989 : a Cardinals/Mets matinee at Busch Stadium II. This gallery begins with the national anthem. Standing closest (#29) is Vince Coleman, who would eventually jump to the Mets on an ill-fated free agent contract. And take a look above, the billboard to the right helps me correctly date these. The St. Louis Sun was a short-lived tabloid that began publishing on September 25th of that year -- perhaps the last attempt to launch a big city newspaper. It was just prior to the Internet, but in a time of economic stagnation. In a baseball-crazed city, its biggest mistake was not being ready to go during the Cardinals season and instead, hit newsstands and front lawns as baseball wound down and St. Louis was beginning its second fall without the NFL. Above: Daryl Strawberry facing Cardinals righthander Ken Hill. Below: not sure whose home run is clearing the fence, since both Terry Pendleton and Milt Thompson went long in St. Louis' 6 - 5 victory -- a 12:35 start ...

Since I last saw him in an A's uniform, slugger Yoenis Cespedes was swapped to the Red Sox (for Jon Lester) and then the Tigers (for Rick Porcello). The Cuban ex-pat has made his mark totaling 71 home runs over his first three seasons in the U.S. -- and thanks to the terms of his first MLB contract, will become a free agent next winter. So, there's plenty at stake in 2015, as he joins Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez and JD Martinez in the middle of a potent Tigers lineup

In 2-1/2 years as a Yankee, Ichiro Suzuki did a good job of proving that his career wasn't over. While no longer the superb hitting machine from his first years as a Mariner, his disciplined approach -- and consistently good health -- made him a near-regular in the Bronx. Now, after a .284 season at age 40, he heads to Miami, where he'll be the Marlins fourth outfielder while talking aim at the 3000 hit mark. He's just 156 away -- and barring an injury, who'd bet against him reaching it? An even more impressive number is 135 -- the number he needs to pass Pete Rose for career hits. With Rose still barred from the Hall of Fame, maybe the Commissioner's office would be happier if the Hit King (even if an aggregate of Japan and North America) title belonged to someone without baggage. It's fair to say he's a lock to become the first Japanese player who'll be enshrined in Cooperstown.

Baseball's reigning champions made a joyous and sentimental journey on Saturday. The San Francisco Giants brought stars new and vintage, along with their 2014 World Series trophy back to New York for a special breakfast in association with the Polo Grounds Preservation Society. That's second baseman Joe Panik -- the suburban New York native, whose flip play started that vital double-play in game seven -- sharing a dais with the greatest Giant to play in both New York and San Francisco, the beloved Willie Mays. Reconnecting with fans who cheered him at the Polo Grounds (and cried when the team moved west), Willie was animated and enthusiastic while taking questions from the audience at the New York Palace Hotel. 57 years after the Giants moved west, not only are there still loyal fans here devoted to team, but it's impressive seeing how the team embraces its ancestral roots. This marks the third time in five years that the Giants have brought the World Series trophy ...

While choosing the images for yesterday's post, I found a couple more that stand out. Above: Mets outfield prospect Michael Conforto taking a big swing... there's something sweet about seeing another slugger wearing #39 in a Brooklyn uniform. That number belonged to the beloved Roy Campanella during the Boys of Summer '50s. And below, the digital glow of the Parachute Jump rises in near-perfect alignment above Cyclones pitcher Matt Wieck.   Aiming directly at this classic Coney Island landmark here's a better look as it rises above the ballpark and the beachfront.

From last August 21st, Staten Island Yankees shortstop Jose Javier in action against the Brooklyn Cyclones. And below, since it is MCU Park -- with one of the greatest settings for any venue, major or minor league -- I had to include another nighttime view of the nearby Coney Island amusement area.

Fredbird, my pal Dennis, the Mets and Cardinals welcome you to Busch Stadium, its astroturf and multi-purpose symmetry in August 1989 . David Cone warming up in the bullpen -- which in St. Louis was down the line instead of beyond the fence. Coach Bill Robinson meets with the umpiring crew at home plate. Below, a Met tries to steal second base. Like the ones I posted of Comiskey Park a few weeks ago, I feared I'd lost these until recently, when I finally discovered my Busch Stadium photos packed inside a book. Now, years after this symbol of multi-purpose architecture has been replaced, it's a good time to look back a quarter-century in design and remember the way it was.

Almost every ballclub displays its retired numbers. But I was especially impressed with how the Giants honor this aspect of their history. Combining their New York and San Francisco Hall of Fame inductees, we see (spanning 3 to 44) Bill Terry, Mel Ott, Carl Hubbell, Willie Mays, Juan Marichal, Orlando Cepeda, Gaylord Perry and Willie McCovey. To their left are the NY plaques for John McGraw and Christy Mathewson. Three more Cooperstown honorees round this special corner of AT&T Park: Ford C. Frick Award winners, broadcasters Russ Hodges, Lon Simmons and the team's current radio voice Jon Miller. Nicely done.

Max Scherzer is going to get very familiar with these sights: his seven year, $210-million deal means in all likelihood, he'll call Nationals Park home through 2021. While not as distinctive as its neighbor Camden Yards, it's an attractive and spacious stadium that is kinder to pitchers. While by now you can't be stunned by the money, I am still surprised that Scherzer, who pitched poorly last post-season and still has yet to toss a complete game in the majors, got a larger deal than Jon Lester, a two-time champion with the Red Sox who holds a 3-0 career record in World Series play.  Max now steps into an already loaded Washington rotation that already includes Jordan Zimmerman, Doug Fister, Gio Gonzalez and Stephen Strasburg. Bank on the Nats being pegged as the darlings of the pre-season prognosticators.

For the Yankees to become serious contenders, they need to see more production from Mark Teixeira. Wrist injuries and frustration over infield shifts have reduced Tex's effectiveness the last few seasons. Without an infusion of new players, the Yanks will have to rely on rebounds from Teixeira, Brian McCann and Carlos Beltran if they're to close the gap with the Orioles and stay ahead of the fortified Red Sox.

...you share it with the guy who's "touched 'em all" 520 times in his first 14 seasons, Albert Pujols . One of baseball's most feared hitters since emerging with the Cardinals in 2001, he seemed on track to join Stan Musial as lifetime, prolific Cardinals. But in our follow-the-money world, the Angels' stunning $240-million contract offer lured him to the West Coast. After an underwhelming and injury-shortened 2013, some fans wondered if Pujols was on the decline. A strong 2014 as the Angels claimed the AL West -- before being swept in the playoffs to the Royals -- hushed that talk. Joining Pujols on the January 16th cake-and-candles list are Albert's former Angels teammate, Mark Trumbo, now of the Diamnondbacks; Yankee utilityman Zelous Wheeler (who'll play 2015 in Japan) and a couple of past sluggers: Jack Cust and Steve Balboni.

Evan Gattis emerged as a solid righty power hitter, belting 43 homers the last couple of seasons for the Braves. But with new GM John Hart going into rebuild mode, the catcher-outfielder (whose knee has been operated on twice) was sent to the Astros Wednesday for a trio of young players. These images came from Atlanta's July 2013 visit to Citi Field in New York.

From last August 24th at Citizens Bank Park, a chorus (near the 3rd base stands) and color guard as well as some young fans with their favorite Phillies get us in the mood for the national anthem. Does anyone else on the field convey a story?

A couple of baseball lifers, Charlie Manuel and Jack McKeon, swap stories as they enter Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter before a Grapefruit League game.

From July 2013 at Camden Yards, Astros catcher Jason Castro hits with the bases loads. He delivers a good swing... and sends it high and far toward the rig.ht field fence  After he circles the bases, he touches home plate... There's plenty of company waiting for him. Castro's grand slam was the biggest hit of the night for Houston, which roasted the Orioles 11 - 0.

From last April at Citizens Bank Park. He wasn't really shooting hot dogs into the crowd? It had to be coupons or certificates, right?

Since Elvis Presley -- who was born 80 years ago today -- wasn't much of a baseball fan, I'd rather post a photo of baseball's Elvis. That's Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus, who admits he isn't sure he was named for the King of Rock and Roll. It's more likely his name was derived from that of his mom, Elvia.

In the biggest class of inductees voted in a single year since 1955, Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, John Smoltz and Craig Biggio were all named to the Baseball Hall of Fame yesterday. All richly deserving -- my biggest surprise was that Martinez pulled "only" 91% of the vote. Who, in a field of baseball experts, would dare say the remarkable righty who starred primarily for the Red Sox, wasn't worthy? My only disappointment was not having a photo of any of these four to share here today. So in their absence, here's a wintry view of the Hall of Fame museum itself.

As the northeast descends into its first nasty cold snap of the winter, this image from Spring Training 2009 should make you feel a bit warmer. We're just eight weeks away from the first exhibition games. Go ahead, admit it... you're counting down the days until you they being (OK, I am.). After a lost local season for New York's football teams, and our local NBA teams looking like Worse and Worser, baseball can't return quickly enough!

You share it with a member of the reigning American League champs. Nori Aoki (seen here last September against the Yankee) spent 2014 with Kansas City, and contributed another season in the upper .280s with a near-.350 on base percentage. He shares the day with Rangers catcher JP Arecibia, Angels outfielder CJ Cron, former big league reliever (and current Red Sox pitching coach) Juan Nieves, 1980s players Bob Dernier, Milt Thompson, Jim Gantner, Ron Kittle and Danny Jackson, ageless knuckleballer Charlie Hough and a guy whose name should have guaranteed stardom, but didn't. Remember Sandy Vance ? Sharing the first name of a legendary Dodger lefty and the surname of a beloved hurler from their Brooklyn days -- both Baseball Hall of Famers -- he lasted just a season-and-a-half (1970-'71) without leaving much of a mark. But you have to admit, it's one cool name. Do you share your birthday with a player? Maybe one of your favorite players -- or maybe someone you took spe...

Yankee fans woke up to some surprising news this morning. Manny Banuelos , long considered the team's best minor league pitching prospect, was sent to the Braves last night for a pair of middle relievers. Seen here in Spring Training 2011, when he looked almost ready to make the majors (and was given the James Dawson Award as the organization's most impressive rookie), Banuelos' star dimmed right after. A lackluster 2011 season in the minors, a pair of injuries that led to Tommy John surgery the following year and inconsistent work once healthy in '14, clearly changed some minds in the organization. In exchange, the Yank receive Atlanta relievers David Carpenter (a righty catcher Brian McCann is said to have recommended) and Chasen Shreve, a lefty who made his MLB debut last summer. As a Yankee fan, I'll cross my fingers on this deal. Whenever I've seen Banuelos, he's been impressive -- as a prospect in 2011, when he reminded me of a young Ron Guidry... ...

Mets catchers Anthony Recker and Travis d'Arnaud seem an ideal choice to team up and wish you a terrific year.