Mike McCann's Field of Fotos

Curtis Granderson  brought down the curtain Thursday on a darned good big league career. The well liked lefty power hitter steps aside after 15-1/2 seasons, 344 homers and a mountain of good will. The three-time all star enjoyed his most productive seasons in New York -- four each with the Yankees and Mets -- and ranks with David Cone and Daryl Strawberry in the small circle who starred for both New York teams. He's likely proudest of being honored as the 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner and receiving the Marvin Miller Man of the Year four times. His record of community service and leadership among his peers is second to none. What's next for the Grandy Man ? Always great with the media, he could be headed for a broadcasting job, or perhaps public service or political office. Regardless, expect him to maintain his career-long motto , "Don't think. Have fun!"

Pablo Sandoval reupped with the Giants on Wednesday. The veteran infielder, who flopped so badly after jumping to the Red Sox as a 2015 free agent, has been a valuable bench player since returning to San Francisco in the middle of 2017. His productive 2019 season -- with 14 homers and 23 doubles in under 300 at bats -- ended early when he needed Tommy John Surgery on his right elbow. Reportedly "ahead of schedule," the Venezuelan native needs to make a quick impression in the Cactus League. With the dramatically different Gabe Kapler taking over as manager this year, and Sandoval on just a minor league contract with a big league camp invitation, nothing is guaranteed for Kung Fu Panda. On the other hand, a veteran pinch hitter who capably backs up Evan Longoria and Brandon Belt at the corners has value, even in an analytically driven organization.

...you share it with the White Sox 1st baseman Jose Abreu . The Cuban-born slugger has been a model of consistency since coming to Chicago -- averaging 30 homers, 102 RBI and a batting average in the .290s. Notably, his 179 career homers are already the most for any player born on this date! Turning 33 today, Abreu recently reupped with the Sox, now surrounded by a talented young core that's expected to bring the club back to contender status. Also on today's cake and candles list: Hank Conger , who spent seven seasons as a backup catcher with the Angels, Astros and Rays. As with many who played behind the plate, he's gone into coaching and will spend 2020 coaching in Korea, the country from where his parents emigrated. Mike Aldrete  spent 10 years in the majors, bookended by the '86 Giants and '96 Yankees. His second San Francisco season was his best, when he batted .325. But he never again posted numbers as impressive. Steve Sax was part of that long li...

Two more veteran outfielders will be wearing new uniforms in 2020, thanks to deals announced Mondayu.  Nicholas Castellanos brings his big bat (and questionable glove) to Cincinnati on a four-year $64 million free agent deal. While the Pirates, after looking all winter for a trade partner, send Starling Marte to the Diamondbacks for a pair of prospects. Both deals will disappoint third parties -- the Cubs, where Castellanos impressed over the final third of 2019, tightened their budget and hinted they couldn't afford him moving forward. And the Mets, seeking an upgrade in center field, didn't want to dig into their nearly empty farm system to send talent back to Pittsburgh. We'll see whose decisions pan out as 2020 gets underway.

The A's appear to be moving closer to a deal that will enable them to build a new Oakland ballpark. San Francisco Chronicle sportswriter Susan Slusser quotes A's president Dave Kaval saying "get the shovels ready." It's about time. In baseball, there are classic parks, such as Fenway, Wrigley and Dodger Stadium, modern/retro marvels Yankee Stadium, PNC and Camden Yards, and a strong middle class symbolized by Kauffman Stadium and Rogers Centre. Then, there's the one whose shot clock should have run out years ago -- the Oakland Coliseum. Never a perfect venue, it was one of the lesser multi purpose parks when it became home to the Raiders and A's in 1968. It hadn't changed much when I was there in 1993 to snap this. But the last 25 years, after replacing its pleasant center field area with the awful hulking "Mount Davis," combined with the ravages of time, the park no longer suited any bigtime pro sport. The Raiders, unable to squeeze...

The bullpen design is one of the most features of Citizens Bank Park. Below Ashburn Alley, the concourse that runs above and beyond the outfield, are the stacked bullpens: the visitors in the top area -- closer to the taunts and boos of the local fans -- with the home team a bit insulated on ground level. This image is from the Phillies/Reds game last June 9th.

Slow week on the free agent front: the lone prominent name coming off the boards was Marcell Ozuna . After two seasons of declining productivity with the Cardinals, the 29-year old outfielder grabbed a one-year contract with the Braves -- which gives him a chance to boost his value so he can re-enter free agency in a stronger position next winter. (He's seen here last June 14th against the Mets in New York.)