Wayback: Spring Training 2005

 My final set of Florida Flashbacks for the season... winding it back 20 years for a look at the Mets and Orioles at the now-gone Fort Lauderdale Stadium.  First a pre-game, then in-game look at Mike Piazza.  The future Hall of Famer probably didn't realize it at the time, but at age 36, he was heading into his final Mets season.

(Below:) The popular ex-Met and longtime Oriole Melvin Mora hits for Baltimore.  He'd go on to his 27 homers that season and be named to the All Star Game for the second time.


(Above:) Moving up the road to Jupiter... The big man with the really big bat: Albert Pujols is in the on deck circle for the Cardinals.  Is he the greatest 13th round draft pick in baseball history?

(Below:) Here's something you won't see anymore:  The Cards' Dave Duncan, Tony LaRussa and Jim Leyland watch the action from the field -- before the use of protective screens. I'd call this a brain trust. 


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