Mike McCann's Field of Fotos

Another of Dennis' images from last Sunday at Port Charlotte is worth our attention. It's DJ LeMahieu's first (exhibition game) at bat in a Yankee uniform. Of course, the former Rockie is probably more concerned with how productive he'll be when the games begin to count four weeks from today. Now, just soak in the moment: the green grass, the tidy ballpark with its outfield berm. A timeless Grapefruit League image.

Neither Wayne Brady nor Monty Hall ever gave away a prize this big. Tuesday's big story from baseball was the mammoth contract between Nolan Arenado and the Rockies. Eye-popping numbers: eight years and $260-million. In an era when teams pay for production and analytics-driven stats, Arenado checks off all the boxes. Power, defense and a high on-base percentage. Plenty of bold-face type: three NL home run titles, two seasons leading his league in RBIs and an all-star four years running. With an average annual value of $32.5 million, the other beneficiary of this deal is likely Bryce Harper. Odds are he'll want his deal, wherever it is, to provide more every year, while running longer -- before the expected opt-outs. But this moment belongs to Arenado, who won't turn 28 until April. ( My image of Nolan Arenado is from the Rockies/Mets game at Citi Field on July 16th, 2017 .)

Aaron Hicks is a player whose success reflects the best in baseball's passion for analytics. A former 1st round draft pick of the Twins, he'd struggled with Minnesota. never developing into the player the front office expected. After the 2015 season, the Twins were ready to move on, while the Yankees "saw something" they believed their staff could unlock. Swapped that winter for backup catcher John Ryan Murphy, Hicks began showing glimpses of his natural ability... and in 2017, fans saw even more -- along with injuries that sidelined him nearly half the season. It all came together in 2018, career highs in every key offensive stat from home runs to walks, RBIs and games played -- plus above-average defense in center. That convinced Brian Cashman that he'd found his center fielder of the present and future. Seven years and $70 million later, Aaron Hicks became the second key Yankee in two weeks to sign a long-term extension. ( My image of Hicks is fro...

Thanks to Dennis, my longtime baseball travel partner, here's our first 2019 look at Luke Voit . And it looks a lot like the 2018 model. The righty-swinging half of the Yankees 1st base duel touches home after belting a three-run home in the 4th inning of Sunday's 8-5 win over the Rays. Tyler Wade (#14) and DJ LeMahieu (26) are waiting for their time to high-five. Voit began his day with a 1st inning RBI single, as he sets out to prove he was no fluke in his Shane Spencer-ish 39 games last season. So, a day after rival Greg Bird began his Grapefruit League play with a couple of hits, Voit seems to reference the long-ago TV game show Can You Top This?

Greg Bird  looks like he ought to be a star-in-the making for the Yankees. A power hitting 1st baseman with strong defensive skills, he has the natural ability to be an important player in the Bronx. But fate hasn't been kind: injuries and inconsistent performance opened the door for Luke Voit to overtake him in the last third of the 2018 season. This spring, Bird is getting what could well be his last chance to win a regular job in the Bronx. While manager Aaron Boone said he considers Voit his regular heading into Grapefruit League play, Bird will get his chance as well. Saturday, Bird started the Yankees' exhibition opener and went 2-for-2, including an opposite field double, against the Red Sox. I know, it's just one game. And Voit will get his chance soon. But in a Yankee lineup that leans righthanded more than anytime I can think of, you almost have a hunch that organization would prefer to see Bird win the competition and put all those doubts to rest. ( My ...

From March 2005 in Jupiter, Florida: an impressive brain trust watching a Cardinals/Dodgers exhibition game from the field. Quite a trio: (left-to-right) Dave Duncan. Tony LaRussa and Jim Leyland. I'll be curious to see, with baseball's emphasis on safety, how many players and coaches continue this Spring Training tradition this year.

Reading about the rainout of what was supposed to be Thursday's first game of the exhibition season (Mariners/A's in Mesa) reminded me of a soggy Clearwater afternoon in March 2014. You have to admit, there's something comically poignant about seeing the Phanatic in a rain poncho. It was especially painful for our traveling group, as we flew back to New York that night. Fans who travel to Florida and Arizona from the frozen north don't want wet or chilly conditions. But we know what you CAN'T change. Better luck today; at least there are plenty of games on the slate, odds are that most will be played and a few just a click away via MLB Network.

Going through some memorabilia, I found this bumper sticker from our 1992 visit to Detroit. The message was crystal clear: the Tigers were making noise about needing a new ballpark, while traditionalists didn't want to lose a local treasure. While there's no doubt Tiger Stadium had some issues, largely related to inadequate maintenance and upkeep, the park had sensational sightlines, a sense of being right on top of the action -- and nearly a century of history. Unfortunately, we know which faction won. Tiger Stadium hosted its last game in September 1999.

After a winter of glacial negotiations -- and that's being kind -- Manny Machado has landed the mega-contract he anticipated. But the location is a big surprise. With unfulfilled expectations of the Yankees making a big bid, the White Sox having imported a pair of his closest friends and the Phillies looking to make a splash, the longtime Orioles standout has chosen... the Padres! The 10-year, $300-million deal is the largest free agent contract in pro sports history. He'll join San Diego's pricey free agent from 2018, Eric Hosmer, and a core of highly regarded prospects, on a team eager to end the Dodgers and Giants domination of the NL West. If nothing else,  Manny will make San Diego one of the more interesting teams this season. Will it work? Are the Padres ready to end a now-13 year post-season draught? Will the native Floridian find satisfaction and success on the West Coast? Stay Tuned. ( My image of Machado is from the Orioles/Yankees game in New York ...

No job in sports lasts forever. Choosing the right moment to ring down the curtain is a skill as rare as winning. Monday, Bruce Bochy , baseball's most successful manager of the decade, announced that 2019 will be his final season with the Giants. The wheels of change have been spinning in San Francisco since last season ended. GM Bobby Evans was let go, Brian Sabean, the architect of the Giants recent run, was pushed into an advisory role. Analytics expert Farhan Zaidi arrived from the archrival Dodgers. AT&T Park became Oracle Park. Madison Bumgarner, whose brilliant left arm was the common denominator on the 2010, '12 and '14 trophies, enters the final year of his contract. New faces arrive; older ones depart. Bochy will say goodbye in October. With three World Series titles to his credit -- the same total as franchise icon John McGraw -- plus the 1999 National League pennant with the Padres, Boche's place is history is secure: he is on his way to Coo...

Don't expect Adeiny Hechevarria to don that awkward triple-digit number should he make the Mets roster. But this weekend's news that the veteran infielder had agreed to a minor league contract with the Amazin's puts the Cuban expat in line to become the 134th player to appear in a game for both the Yankees and Mets. Todd Frazier is part of that noteworthy group. So (for all of four games) is Yogi Berra -- who's the only man to both play and manage both New York clubs. Robinson Cano, the Mets big off-season trade acquisition, will be the 133rd on the list -- he's technically ahead of Hechevarria because the trade that brought him to Citi Field was completed several months ago. Now, let's hit the wayback machine: Gene Woodling and Marvelous Marv Throneberry would be charter members: both played for Casey Stengel's Yankees during the 1950s, before following him to the Polo Grounds in 1962. Ron Swoboda and Dave Kingman found their fame as Mets befor...

From Spring Training 2007 and a rare night game in Vero Beach: Jose Reyes of the Mets takes a step off 1st base, and the Dodger fielde of the same number, James Loney. Tastes change over the years, which makes me wonder: is 7 & 7 anyone's favorite mixed drink anymore? Now a question for my Dodger fan friends: who wore #86 in spring training 2007? Did he ever make the majors??

The Yankees locked in their ace Luis Severino with a four-year guaranteed deal worth $40 million. This is a win-win for both sides: the Yanks young ace lands a mountain of money, while the club -- off a season where he won 19 and finished third in the AL Cy Young voting -- commits to him well into the next decade. It's also a sign that in a winter after passing on Manny Machado and Bryce Harper, GM Brian Cashman and owner Hal Steinbrenner have doubled down on their young core. Now we wait to see what Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez and perhaps Miguel Andujar are offered. All young, home-grown and with the exception of Sanchez's 2018 season, productive and well received by Yankee fans. ( My image of Severino is from the Yankees/Red Sox game last July 1st. )

While baseball's biggest free agent names -- Harper, Machado and Keuchel -- remain unsigned and unwanted, some up-and-comers are cashing in. Yesterday, the Twins made news signing outfielder Max Kepler to a five-year $35 million extension. The Berlin native must be a darling of the analytics crowd. In three full seasons, he's never hit over .243, but flashes good power and walks a lot (71 in 611 plate appearances last year), Clearly, they seem him capable of raising his game a few more notches. Of course, the $35 million investment buys you five years of Kepler, instead of perhaps one of Bryce Harper or Manny Machado. My images of Max Kepler are from the Twins/Red Sox exhibition game last March 7th at Fenway South.

New York-area Baby boomers born roughly between 1952 and '56 remember Mel Allen as our first voice of baseball. Too young to recall the Giants and Dodgers as local teams, and just old enough to recall the time before the Mets came along, this native of Alabama become one of New York's most beloved adopted sons. His warm and energetic baritone symbolized the Yankees as much as the "M&M Boys," Whitey and Yogi. Much as Harry Caray was the Bud Man, Mel was the voice of Ballantine, the longtime sponsor of Yankee broadcasts. And more than anyone, he was the Voice of October. The Yankees won 14 pennants between 1947 and '63 -- and Mel was on the radio or TV crew for all of them. He was even chosen by Mutual to do the 1948 series on radio -- even though the Yankees finished behind the Indians! Mel's enthusiasm for the game, his vibrant sound help sell baseball to kids like me. Of course, having larger-than-life players and a team that won five straight penna...

On this date in 2012, the A's shelled out some serious money to land Yoenis Cespedes . One of the most highly sought free agents ever to escape Cuba, the 26-year power hitter landed a four year deal worth $36 million. After two-and-a-half Oakland seasons, he was traded first to the Red Sox and then the Tigers . He came to Queens in the middle of 2015 and seemingly put the Mets on his back as they marched to a surprise National League pennant. A pair of extensions have kept him a Met -- but frequent injuries have  since dented his value. After undergoing surgery on both heels, he isn't expected back until mid-summer. But if and when he returns, he'll provide hope for Mets fans, who still believe his big bat could lead them to one more October run. ( My image of Cespedes is from the August 2nd, 2016 Subway Series game against the Yankees. )

 ...you share it with Todd Frazier . The New Jersey native -- and star of Toms River's 1998 Little League World Series champs -- went onto star at Rutgers University before being drafted by Cincinnati, where he made his big league debut. He became a Yankee midway through the 2017 and signed with the Mets as a free agent the following winter. That made him the 132nd player to appear in least one game for both New York teams. He'll be back at Citi Field during 2019, but whether he'll be a 1st or 3rd baseman, or utilityman on this heavily renovated club is yet to be finalized. Ruben Amaro Junior also has roots in the northeast -- his are from Philadelphia, where he was born and raised. He and his namesake dad are the first father/son duo in Phillies history. And while he never attained stardom, he had some fine moments as Lenny Dykstra's fill in on 1993 NL champs before advancing through the club's front office. Succeeding Pat Gillick as Phillies general manag...

Another image from last Tuesday's Thurman Munson Awards Dinner*, with present-day Yankees Miguel Andujar and Didi Gregorius flanking Mister October, Reggie Jackson . Did you know that Andujar's 47 doubles last season were more than Jackson had in any of his 20 full seasons; and his 27 homers were just two less than Reggie's total in his first full season in the majors? When you look back at Reggie's path to Cooperstown, you think of the home runs, the moments, the titles. His sometimes questionable defense never stood in the way of his being a legend in both Oakland and New York. Why I am not predicting a Hall of Fame future for Andujar, perhaps we're better served by looking at his positives, the way he stepped in an became an integral part of a strong Yankee lineup after being recalled in early April. That lineup which went onto set an alltime record for home runs in a season. *Over its now-39 year history, the Munson Dinner has raised over $16,000,000 for...

The combined career totals of lefty sluggers  Darryl Strawberry  (335) and Reggie Jackson  (563). That's a lot of longball, much of it occurring in New York. Between these two, we're also talking about nine World Series rings. Strawberry has four -- with the '86 Mets, plus three in the late '90s as a Yankee. Reggie brought the attitude of three A's titles to New York, where he won a pair of World Series as a '77 and '78 Yankee. No wonder the guys were in such a cheerful mood at Tuesday night's Thurman Munson Awards Dinner in New York.

The first player to win the Most Valuable Player award in both major leagues and the man who broke the color barrier for managers, Frank Robinson passed away Thursday at age 83. Here was the player, who according to fellow Baltimore legend Brooks Robinson, who put the Orioles over the top and helped lead them win four pennants in his six seasons there. And this was someone that Reds owner Bill DeWitt called "an old 30." After being traded for Milt Pappas, he took the slight to be a challenge and went onto win the Triple Crown -- the first to do that in a decade! During a time where Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays played in higher profile markets and often grabbed splashier headlines, Robinson was almost at times overlooked. But you can't ignore the talent, the passion and the production: 586 home runs, 1812 RBIs and a .294 lifetime average -- with an on-base percentage almost 100 points higher (.389). Those numbers helped make him a first-ballot Hall of Famer in ...

1969 "Miracle" Mets players Ed Kranepool, Ron Swoboda and Art Shamsky reunited Tuesday night at the 39th annual Thurman Munson Awards dinner in New York. These guys created so many memories... a nearly worst-to-first scenario -- going from 9th place to 1st and then winning the NLDS and World Series. This, from a franchise that had never previously even finished a season with a winning record. Plenty of smiles, despite some poignancy. Kranepool is still seeking a donor for a badly needed kidney transplant. In the year Man landed on the Moon and Woodstock became rock and roll's signature festival, these were three of the Mets who helped write baseball's classic Cinderella story.

It's February 6th, the birthdate of the man, without whom, we would not love and celebrate baseball. George Herman Ruth, sounds like a lawyer's name, maybe that of a captain of industry. Thankfully, he didn't spend his professional life in a court house or executive suite. His home was on the diamond, wearing a uniform, with one glove, one bat and the youthful enthusiasm befitting his nickname. He came along at the right moment, emerging as baseball's greatest star as the game from the ugliness of the Black Sox scandal. He turned a struggling New York team that had never won a pennant into the game's dominant franchise. As the author Jane Leavy says so well in her book The Big Fella , he was the first true sports celebrity. And he's still one: last night at the annual Thurman Munson Awards dinner, there was a fundraising a charity auction, with several deluxe framed prints of the Babe up for bids -- including a very cool photo of Ruth with Ted Williams, Ba...

  Saluting a man of courage, class and historic talent, Hank Aaron turns 85 today. The Braves slugger who overtook Babe Ruth's hallowed record with dignity and respect and to many of us, remains the true home run champion, signed with the then Boston Braves in June 1952. Give General Manager John Quinn credit -- he outbid the Giants for the Mobile, Alabama native by $50 a month. Otherwise Aaron would have teamed with Willie Mays, and who knows what heights that duo might have reached. He reached the majors two years later; by then, the Braves called Milwaukee home. Ironically, his opportunity is linked to another Giants legend -- Bobby Thomson, after being traded to Milwaukee, was penciled in as a starting outfielder until he broke an ankle during Spring Training. That opened the door for Aaron to claim a place in the lineup. He held it for the next 21 seasons. This classic five-tool player led them to a pair of National league pennants, the 1957 World Series title and, afte...

Watching Joe Namath carry the Lombardi Trophy after the Super Bowl reminded me of seeing him at a 2014 Yankee exhibition game. After throwing out the first pitch before a game against the Nationals Broadway Joe met Mister November. It's a rare moment finding these two New York sports heroes in the same place at the same time.

From March 20th, 2007, about an hour before a rare Mets night game in Port St. Lucie.  There's such an easygoing mood, when you combine the late day shadows with the crowd around the cage and the players at various spots around the field. The Orioles are taking batting practice: I see numbers 68 and 13 (but keep in mind, Manny Machado was in middle school when this game took place); is there anyone you recognize?

...you share it with St. Louis baseball icon and Hall of Famer Red Schoendienst . This son of a Illinois coal miner grew up just 40 miles from St. Louis and got to live out every young fan's baseball dream -- playing for the team he rooted for as a kid. A 10-time all star and 1989 Cooperstown inductee, Red remained active in the Cardinals organization well past his 90th birthday. Fittingly, for someone born on the second day of the second month, he wore number-two for almost all of his Cardinals career. I snapped this image at a 2005 spring training game in Jupiter, Florida. Also on today's cake and candles list: Melvin Mora , a mainstay with the Orioles for a decade. After first reaching the majors with the 1999 Mets, New York, needing shortstop help a year later, swapped him for Baltimore's Mike Bordick. The O's got the better side of that deal. Dan Winkler , an effective member of the 2018 Braves bullpen. The righthander appeared in 69 games, went 4 - 0...

In baseball terms, that phrase might represent stolen base success or a consecutive-game on base streak. But yesterday, it was the record $26 million contract settlement between the Rockies and star 3rd baseman Nolan Arenado . Coming off another big season -- fueled by the "Coors Factor," the two-time NL home run and RBI champ is a year away from free agency with numbers that could easily put him in line for a deal comparable to whatever Manny Machado lands -- should he ever land one. ( My image of Arenado is from the Rockies/Mets game on May 4th, 2018. )