Mike McCann's Field of Fotos

At yesterday's Mets - Cardinals game, I decided to focus my lens on Cardinals 1st baseman Albert Pujols. Considered baseball's best all-around player, this hitting machine is more than capable in the field and even leads the team in stolen bases. So let's enjoy the excellence of a player who appears on track to having his number 5 retired next to that of the all-time greatest Cardinal Stan Musial and to one day join him in Cooperstown. Finally, a ballgame in Queens across the boat basin from LaGuardia Airport just wouldn't be complete without at least one plane flying overhead.

...that I felt the need to post some Spring Training images. Florida souvenirs of perfect baseball weather. Above: the Astros' March home in Kissimmee. Below two: Steinbrenner Field in Tampa.

Those skeptical of global warming can cite last night's weather conditions at Citi Field -- a damp 58 degrees accented by dense fog and a steady mist -- on June 11th. It initially looked as if skies were going to clear when we arrived. The tarp-covered field shot from the outfield food court. Above: One of New York's new sports celebrities threw the ceremonial first pitch -- Football Giants 1st round draft choice Hakeem Nicks. As a wide receiver, wouldn't it have been more appropriate if he'd caught the ball and Eli Manning had thrown it? Some scenes from Citi on a night reminiscent of the 1986 post-season. But that was October -- this was mid-June. Above: Many ballplayers can say they went to William Howard Taft High School. 46 year old Phillies starting pitcher Jamie Moyer is the only one who can say he went to William Howard Taft's inauguration. Looking like baseball's best off-season signing, Phillies left fielder Raul Ibanez. The former Royal and Mar...

My first game at the new Yankee Stadium started with a bang -- as Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins homered to short right field on the first pitch of the night from Yankee starter A.J. Burnett. (Above: he's ready to make contact; below: he's about touch home plate with the run.) As I said on my early April visit for the pre-season workout, the new Stadium appears impressive, bordering on majestic. Good sightlines, an excess of amenities including the world's largest video replay board and a sense of connection to both the original and renovated (1970s) predecessor. Phillies outfielder Jayson Werth joined the home run parade (there were seven in this game) with a laser shot that landed (below) in the middle deck in the left field seats. This did not happen in the old stadium. Now, bombs like his seem nearly routine. The one issue is how small the new Stadium plays. While the distances to the outfield fences are identical to its predecessor, it plays very small. 82 home runs ...

Nick Swisher's first eight home runs as a New York Yankee were all hit on the road. Last night, his lefty stroke finally sent one to the new Yankee Stadium's very inviting right field porch. He earns today's "attaboy," with several shots of him in action this March at the Yankees other home, Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. Swisher clearly loves playing ball and interacting with fans. What I'm sorry I didn't snap was how, before the game, he came over and chatted with the fans. Clearly, this extrovert loves every minute of what he does.

With the Mets visiting Los Angeles this week, it's a good time to share a few more views of Dodgers Stadium. These are from opening day 2008. The "Think Blue" sign in the distance is the Dodgers' variation on the classic Hollywood sign. From our seats in the grandstand, we had a clear view of the Dodgers bullpen. Below: opening day featured the classic Dodgers-Giants rivalry, including this acrobatic catch by San Francisco centerfielder Aaron Rowand. Above: the hilly terrain of Chavez Ravin outside Dodger Stadium. And below, the distinctive tower rising from the ballpark's upper deck.

Tonight on TV, I saw Jayson Werth of the Phillies steal home for an insurance run against the Dodgers. A steal of home is so rare and exciting, I thought it earned Werth an "attaboy." Here are a couple of shots of him from a spring training game in March against the Yankees.