Spring Training Flashbacks: Kissimmee - 2015

I don't recall planning it that way, but 2015 turned out to be the tour of what are now the "lost parks." Viera, Orlando and Kissimmee were once part of the Central Florida spring training scene -- along with Lakeland, the longtime home of the Tigers.  But by the end of that decade, those three came off the map.  Today's spotlight shines on Osceola County Stadium, which welcomed the Astros and their fans from 1985 though 2016.
Along with a 30-plus year run with the Astros, the park also hosted several minor league clubs, including the Florida State League's Fire Frogs, until 2019. A subsequent renovation remade it into a soccer facility.

There were a pair of standout 2nd basemen on display.  (Above) Fresh off winning his first AL batting title, here's Astros 2nd baseman Jose Altuve.
(Below), Detroit's Ian Kinsler, who made his fourth All Star Game appearance in 2014.
(Above) Houston's George Springer, an eighth place finisher the year before for AL Rookie of the Year.
(Below) Here's Detroit catcher James McCann.
(Above) A fan lines up his selfie with the Astros mascot, Orbit.  
(Below) Creating a first memory for a future fan.

(Above) Tigers Hall of Famer Alan Trammell, then an assistant  to GM Dave Dombrowski, doing some pre-season coaching for his old team.
(Below) A victory line for the Astros to wrap up another gorgeous Grapefruit League afternoon.




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