That's Jesus Montero wearing No. 83 in 2010. He will be one of the most watched Yankees in Tampa -- and hopefully New York -- in 2011.
Tampa, Fla., February 26, 2011 — Our Spring Training Trek starts anew Saturday, and we’re continuing our 2010 strategy, hoteling it just a short walk from George M. Steinbrenner (GMS) Field. So our 10-day trek is a series of short strides and long(er than ideal) drives. Saturday begins with the 1,000-mile flight South, shuttle to the hotel, and shuffle to the park to watch the Yanks host the Phillies, with Bartolo Colon throwing the first Yankee pitch of the preseason — 300 yards.
On Sunday it’s the drive to Clearwater to whip the Phils on back-to-back days (Yeah!!). Ivan Nova takes his next step to stardom. Pete ‘n Shorty’s for sliders afterward. Is that David Wells in the corner booth? — 18 miles.
Monday dawns on the first substantial drive, a two wood off the tee, wood to LakeWOOD that is, to pit our Curtis Granderson versus their Austin Jackson and Phil Coke, as the Yanks take on the Tigers at the park with the best name in Florida, Joker Marchant Stadium. If that’s the “joker,” how about this for the wild card? Shots of scotch in the parking lot with Miguel Cabrera? Probably not. CC pitches. — +42 miles = 60.
The Yanks head south to Bradenton to take on the Buccos for the first start from Phil Hughes Tuesday, but we’re staying in town, as GMS hosts the inaugural “Florida Four” and a good old-fashioned (four-team) doubleheader. The University of South Florida (USF) plays against the 13th ranked Miami Hurricanes first with the following matchup, a duel with the ninth ranked Florida Gators confronting their in-state rival Florida St. Seminoles (FSU), fifth in the nation, being the highlight. — 300 yards
The Astros visit the Yanks Wednesday. Houston had a strong second half in 2010, and A.J. Burnett makes his first throws, sure to be the most watched in the 2011 Yankee camp. — 300 yards.
Our “longest day” dawns Thursday: a two-hour drive to Port Charlotte to watch the Yanks invade the Rays. Loved seeing these matchups in St. Pete overlooking the harbor, until now, but Freddy Garcia‘s first start is in the middle of nowhere. — + 98 miles = 158.
South to Ft. Myers for dinner after the game, then back north, because the Friday contest vs. Boston in Tampa is the season’s first night game. We can sleep in. Can Bartolo Colon make the Red Sox think even for a moment that they should have retained him? — 300 yards.
The Nats come to town Saturday, a long cross-state visit the Yanks will repay with a trip east exactly one week later — too long a drive. Is Ivan Nova the sensation we all long for in this, his second start? — 300 yards.
Well rested now, the second longest trip takes us to Kissimmee Sunday. Sat right behind the Yankee brain trust in Osceola County Stadium back in glory year 1996. Harder to get that close to the Yankees, home or away, ever since. Will CC, rounding into (his smaller) shape, really make this trip? — + 85 miles = 243.
Monday, March 7, our longest day. No reason to leave anything on the field this far in. Stroll 300 yards to see the Yanks battle the Phils again, probably with Phil Hughes on the mound. The same evening, we accompany a split squad down to Sarasota to root the Yanks on against the Orioles in Ed Smith Stadium, and perhaps witness Sergio Mitre‘s first 2011 start? The O’s are the third home team we will have seen the Yanks play in Sarasota: the White Sox and the Reds were the competition in earlier years. + 57 miles = 300.
Adds up to a great trip to me, and the beginning of a fabulous Yankee year.
YANKEE BASEBALL!!!