Mike McCann's Field of Fotos

My first visit to the Yankees AA farm club in Trenton, New Jersey came six summers ago, in July 2009. Looking back, I wondered how many of the players in that game eventually found their way to the majors. OK, first let's check our matchup: it's the Yankees affiliate, the Trenton Thunder versus the Harrisburg Senators, the Nationals' Eastern League outpost. We're two levels away from the majors. With six-plus seasons in between, just four of the 20 players who were on this board on July 30, 2009 made the since majors. Trenton's pair were bona fide prospects: shortstop Eduardo Nunez, who's now with Minnesota, and teammate Jesus Montero, who hasn't lived up to his advance billing since being swapped to Seattle for Michael Pineda at the end of 2012. Freddy Bynum, the Harrisburg shortstop, was back in the minors after playing parts of the previous four seasons (2005-'08) as a big league reserve. And Joel Guzman's 24 games in the majors (split between...

The Yankees surprised the baseball world with this week's trade for Reds fireballer Aroldis Chapman. The Cuban lefty who tops 100 mph more than anyone in the game heads to New York for four prospects, the most prominent being 3rd baseman Eric Jagielo. The deal comes amidst the controversy of domestic violence charges involving his girlfriend -- accusations that caused a proposed trade to the Dodgers to fall through. Chapman could be facing a suspension in 2016, depending on the outcome of an investigation by MLB officials. And there will likely be protests whenever he takes the field. But if the bottom line is performance -- Chapman could help give the Yankees the most fearsome bullpen in baseball history. These photos of Chapman were from the Mets/Reds game at Citi Field on May 22nd, 2013.

Here are some views of the Yankees Spring Training home from March 2011. With the first snow of the season dusting the New York area overnight, I thought a touch of Florida was the way to go. While many elements of its design hint at Yankee Stadium, you'll find plenty of tropical touches -- starting with the palm trees ringing its main entrance. Instead of another row of ad signage, the area above the seating bowl and below the rooftop replica frieze simply and proudly proclaims the name of the home team. As sunset becomes night, here's a look at the field.

You share it with the MVP of the 1986 World Series, Ray Knight. The onetime Red and Oriole enjoyed his greatest baseball moment in Flushing, where he was part of the remarkable rally that kept the Mets alive in game six. Batting in the bottom of the 10th inning, Knight's singled in Gary Carter with the first run of the inning, and advanced Kevin Mitchell to third -- setting him up to score on Bob Stanley's wild pitch. Knight soon came home for the winning run from second after Mookie Wilson's grounder went through Bill Buckner's legs, which set off a wild, emotional celebration at home plate. To top things off, Ray belted the tie-breaking home run two nights later in game seven, as the Mets won their second championship -- and extended the Red Sox misery. These days, Ray is the pre- and post-game studio show analyst on Washington Nationals TV.

With the pricetag for Yoenis Cespedes apparently too high, the Mets moved to fill their vacancy in the outfield by signing free agent Alejadro de Aza . The former Marlin, White and Red Sock, Oriole and Giant looks to be part of a center field platoon in 2016 with Juan Lagares. He won't make up for the intimidation factor Cespedes brings every time he comes to bat. But if the Mets stick to a small-market budget, he might be the best possible option for Sandy Alderson. Still, will it passify the fans and sports talk radio callers who wanted someone shinier and more dynamic.

From my June 1992 visit: the plaques telling the history of Tiger Stadium and paying tribute to the franchise's greatest player, Ty Cobb.

...you share it with Hanley Ramirez . His career has come full-circle: a highly touted Red Sox prospect a decade ago, the Dominican native appeared in just two games for Boston before being the key player in the trade that brought Mike Lowell and Josh Beckett from the Marlins. He later moved to the Dodgers before signing with the Red Sox as a 2015 free agent. A shortstop and third baseman during his National League years, Ramirez had his least productive season playing left field for Boston. With three more years left on his contract, it'll be interesting to see what his Fenway Future turns out to be. On a club stocking up on young, athletic everyday players, will he be a pricey utilityman? Is he the DH in waiting, as David Ortiz plays his final season? Or does Ramirez become trade bait? Also from our December 23rd birthday list: A pair of Jerry's with Met connections: pitcher Jerry Koosman and former manager Jerry Manuel . Brad Lidge , the flawless closer on ...

From March 2015: the Astros mascot Orbit schmoozing with fans during a spring training game in Kissimmee.

Yankees rookie Greg Bird drew plenty of attention when he capably filled in for the injured Mark Teixeira during August and September. I especially liked this swing from the September 19th Subway Series game against the Mets at Citi Field. It went for a ground rule double in the 6th inning of the Yankees 5-0 victory.

From August 5th, 2015: watch the effort Mike Napoli of the Red Sox makes in trying to beat the throw to Yankee 1st baseman Mark Teixeira. That stretch is your clue that Chase Headley's throw is a little off the mark. OK, more than a little. Napoli wound up on 2nd base after "Tex" couldn't haul it in.

It's been a while since we've seen Aaron Rowand in a Phillies uniform. These are from August 21st, 2007 -- the season culminating in the first of five consecutive NL East titles for Philadelphia. It was Rowand's career season, where he slugged 27 home runs and hit .309, numbers he never came close to duplicating the next four seasons with the Giants.

...you share it with Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar . He set the tone for Kansas City's World Series victory with his inside-the-park homer on the first pitch of game one. I caught him in action against the Yankees on May 26th. Who else gets cake and candles nine days before Christmas? Hector Santiago , the Angels' New Jersey-born lefty. When L.A. made its only visit to Yankee Stadium this past summer, he was greeted by a large continent of family and friends. Santiago broke into the majors with White Sox, where on May 7th, 2013, he went head-to-head with Matt Harvey with seven innings of shutout ball. Some other current players join them in our December 16th birthday party: Bryan Anderson -- with a "y": The veteran minor league catcher (as opposed to the ex-pitcher who now does Rays TV; the outfielder who has played for the White Sox and Red Sox; or the Brewers play-by-play voice, who also calls games for TBS) who has had just a few "cups of c...

My last visit to Washington came in the summer of 2012 when the Mets visited. Here are a couple of wide-angle shots of Nationals Park, sandwiched around its signature Presidents Race. This image, from the outfield seats, gives you a glimpse of the press box, which might be the highest in the major leagues -- and provides broadcasters a poor view of the action far below.

Friday's biggest stories in baseball centered around Jason Heyward and Michael Cuddyer. Both made it official they'd be moving on from where they played in 2015. Heyward (above) cashed in on free agency, signing what could be an eight-year $184-million deal. With two opt-outs built in, his stay in Chicago could be just three or four years. But by leaving the arch-rival Cardinals, he might have helped change the balance of power in the NL Central for 2016. Cuddyer (below) surprised many with his decision to retire with a year remaining on his contract with the Mets. His year in New York -- where he was brought in to play along boyhood pal David Wright and be a good clubhouse presence -- was hampered by injury and ineffectiveness. Cuddyer did get to play in his first World Series, but was hitless in game one, the only one in which he appeared. His year in New York -- where he played along boyhood pal David Wright and serve as a positive clubhouse presence -- was hampered...

Something a little different: here's a glimpse of Neil Walker in his minor league days for the Pirates' AAA Indianapolis farm club in May 2010. He'll take over as the Mets 2nd baseman next summer, after being traded to New York for Jon Niese. Below, a name from today's baseball birthday list. It's not a superstar or headline-maker, but a guy who loved the game and played it professionally for 15 years. It's candles and cake time for Andy Tracy. This 16 year veteran of the minor leagues totaled 296 career homers, but never caught on for keeps in the majors. Check the back of his baseball card: he made stops in Ottawa, New Orleans, Norfolk, Tulsa, Lehigh Valley and Reno -- not to overlook Cape Fear! Just a few "cups of coffee" with the Expos, Rockies and Phillies sprinkled in. December 11th isn't a day packed with living legends or present-day stars on the birthday list. So let's salute Andy Tracy for a being the personification of the mo...

After looking last week at the demolition of the original Yankee Stadium, here's a gallery of images as Shea Stadium came down during the winter of 2009. The main part of the grandstand was the last to go. Below, a couple of images showing Shea "handing things off" to Citi Field. This one's from the south side of the number-7 subway. While our final image comes from the parking lot with the Citi Field looming in the background of its predecessor, ready to take over as the home of the Mets.

He's newest Yankee -- seen at Wrigley Field May 13th when the 1st pitch temperature was a wintry 43!! Wearing a mask more appropriate to an olympic skiier or an NFL player suiting up for a playoff game in Green Bay, it's Starlin Castro . Yesterday, the Yankees made their second significant trade of the off-season, sending pitcher Adam Warren to the Cubs for Castro. Chicago's signing of Ben Zobrist made this move possible. Still just 26, and signed to a long term contract (in today's lingo, "cost contained"), the Dominican native has been terrific at times over his six big league seasons. But he's also gone through periods of being ordinary -- or worse. Midway through last season, with the Cubs fighting for a playoff spot, he was moved from shortstop to 2nd base, and his offensive game returned. Playing alongside Addison Russell, the Cubs stormed to the second NL Wild Card and advanced to the League Championship Series before being swept by the Met...

Welcoming back '60s heroes Dick Allen (above) and Jim Bunning (below), we're at Phillies Alumni Night. Of course, the Phanatic is part of the fun. This year's celebration took place August 1st at Citizens Bank Park. Being able to see -- and photograph -- a collection of historic players was too much to resist. In contrast to the Yankees Old Timers Day, the Phillies let the present and past face each other. Perhaps to suggest that achieving something now can lead to a place on the alumni line years from now, the current Phils (on the 1st base line) get a good look at those who once played in red pinstripes. Zooming in, how many of these Phils of the Past do you recognize? Garry Maddox is at the far left, followed by Greg Luzinski, Dick Allen, Larry Bowa, Mike Schmidt, Jim Bunning, Brett Myers, Scott Eyre, Brad Lidge and Larry Christenson/

In an off-season that's already provided several surprises, the biggest so far might be Zach Greinke moving to the Diamondbacks as a free agent. His six-year contract worth $206-million averages out to $34-million annually! That's more than a million bucks per (regular season) start. Of course, going 19 - 3 with an unreal 1.66 ERA will bring such an unworldly offer. Eager to close the gap that kept them behind Dodgers and Giants, the Diamondbacks put together the massive package that convinced Greinke to leave L.A.  Now, we'll see whether Arizona has enough budget room left to surround the 32-year old righty with a deep enough supporting cast to make them a challenger. Or will this be another A-Rod in Texas situation, where a premium priced star will eat up too much of a team's budget? Either way, the Greinke deal is sure to change the balance of power in the NL West. It likely led to the weekend's other big signing -- Jeff Samardzija with the Giants -- as the ...

Ever since the Yankees one-and-done depature from the post-season, there's been plenty of buzz about the kind of changes the club might make. Brett Gardner's name has been central to those rumors. If the Yanks want to get younger, or trade for more pitching, someone with a "tradeable" contract would be on the block. With three years and "only" 39 million in guaranteed money remaining, his deal fits those parameters. Of course, it takes two sides to make a trade. With the winter meetings set to begin Sunday night, we'll soon learn how much of a shakeup the Yankees want to undertake -- especially with their relucatance to take on a big free agent salary -- and whether Gardner is wearing his familiar #11 in pinstripes next spring.

April 2010 as the original Yankee Stadium is torn down.