Yes, there really is a city named Surprise


And it's the pre-season home of the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals. For day three, it's the Rangers hosting the Seattle Mariners.
The "M's" expect to be strong contender in the AL West, with a new emphasis on speed and pitching. Below, joining Felix Hernandez at the top of the rotation, lefty Cliff Lee, who came to Seattle in the biggest trade of the off-season.
Another new Seattle name in 2010 is third baseman Chone Figgins, signed away from the division rival Angels. He'll join the remarkable hitting machine Ichiro at the top of the Mariners batting order.
The only player ever to total 2000 hits in Japanese baseball and America's major leagues, Ichiro has batted over .300 with at least 200 hits in all nine of his seasons in the US -- also unprecedented!l
On the Rangers side, their 2010 lineup will be boosted by DH Vladimir Guerrero, who also departed Anaheim this off-season.


Our seats, just behind the foul screen, put us across the aisle from a group of scouts from various organizations taking notes on the action. And below, Rangers lead owner Nolan Ryan signs autographs and takes pictures with about 30 or so fans after each pre-season game.
Of course, autograph time before an exhibition game is a longstanding tradition for fans gathered along the lines near where the players warmed up. Below, Rangers outfielder David Murphy making friends.

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