Mike McCann's Field of Fotos

As the old year draws to a close, it's time to revisit a few of my more interesting baseball destinations of 2024.  That's got to begin with West Ham Stadium in London, where I was on hand for the Phillies/Mets series. On the field... the big bats of the Phillies Kyle Schwarber and the Mets breakout star Mark Vientos. From Nationals Park on May 22nd: a dynamic outdoor display of the home team's starting lineup... and the members of the venue's signature Mascot Race.   Made my first visit to Bowie, Maryland on August 1st as the Orioles AA team, the Baysox, hosted their Yankee rivals from Somerset, NJ And my first look at one of Baltimore's top prospects, catcher Samuel Basallo , who could make his major league debut in 2025. Below: my final baseball photo of the year... driving back from a visit to our daughter in Raleigh, NC last Friday, we passed Richmond, Virginia's minor league ballpark.  Once known as The Diamond , I snuck in for a 2019 visit .  it's set...

...you share it with Cole Hamels .  One of the greatest lefthanded starters in Phillies history, he was the 2008 World Series MVP as the club won its second and most recent World Championship -- the back of his card also includes three all star teams and finishing in the Top 10 four times for the NL Cy Young Award.  Another unforgettable moment came on July 29th, 2015 -- his final game as a Phillie -- when he threw a no-hitter against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.  Hamels was traded to the Rangers two days later. A 163-122 record (with 114 of those wins for Philadelphia) probably falls short of the Hall of Fame, but will likely land Cole Hamels a place on the club's Wall of Fame.  

...you share it with David Wright .  On the verge of becoming the best everyday player developed by the Mets organization, he developed back problems that limited and eventually ended his career.  Still, his talent  and leadership helped the club to three post-season appearances -- including winning the 2015 National League pennant.  The club recently announced that his number 5 will be retired next season, when he'll be added to the Mets Hall of Fame. His career line: 242 homers, a .296 average and .376 on-base percentage.  Only Cooperstown inductee Gabby Hartnett has a higher WAR among players with December 20th birthdays.  

  ...you share it with  Gleyber Torres .  The Yankees 2nd baseman for most of the last seven years has been an offensive force -- reaching 20 or more home runs five times -- but a defensive liability.  Inconsistent baserunning and puzzling mental lapses occasionally landed him in Aaron Boone's doghouse.  Now a free agent, it's up in the air where he'll play in 2025.    We've also got a pair of Hall of Famers with 12/13 birthdays : Ferguson Jenkins , who won 284 games en route to becoming the first Canadian inducted into the Hall of Fame.  He's also the first pitcher from Canada to win the Cy Young Award (1971 Cubs). The late  Larry Doby , who broke the color barrier in the American League and was a seven time All Star with the Indians.  

  ...you share it with the very bundled-up  Larry Bowa . Seen in April 2017 while coaching with the Phillies on a frosty early season evening, the longtime big league shortstop has been a major league fixture for over 50 years...  Bowa played 2247 games, the most of any player with a December 6th birthday -- even more than the only Hall of Fame player born on this date,  Tony Lazzeri . When you think of Larry Bowa, what comes to mind? The tenacity, a self-made player, the little guy choking up on the bat, hitting to the opposite field, a "gamer," a "grinder."  A player whose teams made the post season six times -- highlighted by the Phillies first championship in 1980, a World Series in which he batted .375! Bowa isn't the only former Phil in today's birthday circle.  So are: Steve Bedrosian , who won the 1987 NL Cy Young Award when he saved 40 games for the Phillies.  (His son and fellow pitcher Cam appeared in 11 games for the 2021 Phis.) Jose Contre...

While I still haven't been to a game at the current Busch Stadium, I did tour the current edition of the St. Louis ballpark in mid-October.  Unlike its multi-purpose predecessor, this one is open and airy, with a view of downtown that includes the city's landmark Gateway Arch. The seating bowl, designed just for baseball, gives the 40,000 fans the right angle to enjoy the game.  While the best seat in the house still belongs to the broadcasters.  Here's what you see from the Cardinals radio booth. Just outside the park, statues honoring Cardinals legends since the 1920s, such as acrobatic shortstop Ozzie Smith. In case you pine for the previous Busch Stadium (which opened in 1966 during the multi-purpose ballpark boom), you'll find this scale model across the street inside the Cardinals Hall of Fame and Museum.