Spring training is a magical time for me. It's nothing like going to a regular season game where thousands of fans pack into a giant stadium, and unless you have great seats you aren't getting close enough to the players to where you can actually hear their conversations. That's the great thing about spring in Port St. Lucie, Florida with the Mets. All the guys that you live and die with during the regular season are right there in front of you to watch. Whether you're an autograph seeker or someone like me who just loves the purity of baseball, a spring training workout is something every baseball fan should experience.
Workouts usually start up around 9:30 a.m. I arrived a little early this warm, sunny morning and snapped a few pictures with my smartphone before ambling up to one of the fields where four young minor leaguers (Rafael Montero, Hansel Robles, Gabriel Ynoa and Dario Alvarez) sat stretching and just joking around with each other. I'd tell you what they were talking about, but it was in Spanish. Still, it stirred memories of when my childhood friends and I would get up early on a day off from school and hit the local park. Playing ball all day and goofing on each other, while pretending to be some major leaguer. Darryl Strawberry or Dwight Gooden were my go-to guys.
Time to get those gloves in a row.
More players began to trickle out of the clubhouse and the hundred or so spectators made their way to the fence to get a look at the young pitchers that are expected to lead this current Mets renaissance. The relief corps of Jennry Mejia, Jeurys Familia, and the very bearded threesome of Vic Black, Bobby Parnell and Josh Edgin. Then appeared Zack Wheeler. Last year's NL Rookie of the Year Jacob deGrom. The Dark Knight himself, Matt Harvey, alongside Jonathan Niese and Dillon Gee. The two top prospects looking to break into the majors some time in the near future Noah Syndergaard and Steven Matz. All the arms that the Mets and their fans hope can return them to the playoffs this year. All standing just 30 feet away and once again I transform into a 12-year old. Oh, and did I mention World Champions Wally Backman and Frank Viola are also a stone's throw away, now serving as coaches in the organization.
Following 15-20 minutes of stretching and conditioning drills, the pitchers break up into smaller groups to go work on various fundamental drills. As a spectator, you have free run over the back fields and can watch anyone you choose. The guys work on fielding grounders back to the mound, pick off moves, covering first and what to do during a run down. They even step in against the pitching machine to take some hacks and lay down bunts. All the while, they're all having fun.
The Dark Knight returns.
At this point, I notice who else is watching nearby. Special assistant to the general manager, J.P. Ricciardi walks past me and happily returns the "hello" I extend to him. I wonder to myself how many fans here actually recognize Ricciardi, or am I the lone baseball super freak. I notice a couple of the Mets newspaper beat writers talking making small talk. Mike Puma of the New York Post expresses his current state of boredom while watching drills and then went on to elaborate on his dinner adventures from the prior evening - the Ale House in nearby Jensen Beach. By the way, Mr. Puma, I'll gladly trade jobs with you if you find it that boring.
Two older gentlemen are looking over the roster and one of them remarks that "This guy here was born in 1973." The other exclaims, "I thought this one a young team?" Well, that's Bartolo Colon, of course. Big Bart is one of the few elder statesmen on this team at the age of 42, but no less effective. He won 15 games last year, leading the staff. Fans fascinate me since I'm so involved in this team. Some know so little about the roster, but nonetheless love the team as much as someone like myself who could recite all of the minor league affiliates to you in a moments notice. Others just love certain players. David Wright and Matt Harvey clearly being the crowd favorites, and backup catcher Anthony Recker also being mentioned by many of the women in attendance. Hmmm, must be dat ass, eh #MetsTwitter?
Mr. Anthony Recker, ladies.
By now the position players have joined the workout. Wright and Wilmer Flores are fielding grounders at third and shortstop, respectively. Both look strong as both have much to prove this season. Wright tries to rebound from his worst season in the pros that was ruined mostly by a shoulder injury he suffered in June. Flores is young and has the bat to stay in the majors, but his ability to field well enough at shortstop remains a question mark. Harvey, Niese and deGrom walk past as Wright is fielding, and The Captain remarks that his arm is "a cannon" now as he rifles a throw across the diamond. the offseason rehab and strength training work for his shoulder looks like it has paid off at least early in camp from my perspective. Flores also looks good. Yes, to all the doubters, I know it's just practice, but the alternative right now is Ruben Tejada and we've seen over the last few years that he does not hit nearly enough to deserve a starting job. Flores has hit at every level. He's only 23. Let's see what he can do over a full year.
Noah Syndergaard. Another ace in the Mets deck?
All-Star second baseman Daniel Murphy talks to outfielder Matt den Dekker while warming up. The pair discuss heading down I-95 to Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter later in the day to watch the University of Florida baseball team battle Florida Atlantic. Den Dekker is a UF alum and Murphy is a big Gator fan who grew up in Jacksonville, Florida. Inside my brain, I say I'd like to join them, seeing as how I went to college at both of those schools. Of course, I keep my trap shut and smile. Murphy comes over the the fence and signs a ball for a little kid at this point. Both sides smiling the whole time. Seeing this type of thing warms my heart and I think back to every autograph I ever got. I still have every one of them because they remind me of those players, whether they were stars or not. They made a little kid smile and that's what counts.
Daniel Murphy signs for a young fan.
A couple of young minor league sluggers jump into the batting cage to take some cuts. Much maligned Cesar Puello hits some absolute bombs. Sweet swinging lefty Brandon Nimmo also shows off the lumber with a couple of long balls. This kid is the goods. I really believe Mets fans will be enjoying his smooth stroke at the plate for many years to come when he's ready for prime time in a year or two.
A few minutes later on the adjacent field Wright, Gold Glove center fielder Juan Lagares and new acquisition Michael Cuddyer enter the cage. Cuddyer's swing looks healthy as he strokes would-be doubles into the left-center field gap. Lagares is next, but the main event is to follow. Wright hits the cage and immediately starts ripping shots opposite field into right-center field, his usual power spot. Cuddyer is doing commentary at this juncture. Every opposite field rope that Wright hits, Cuddyer exclaims just one word. "Sexy." I couldn't agree more. Cuddyer then says, "How about pulling one?" to which Wright answers by hammering the next pitch over the left field fence. The Captain is back.
The engine driving the machine. Captain David Wright.
The workout goes on and slowly winds down. Fans line the fences for autographs and the players oblige. It's a great day and didn't cost me a penny.
There's no other place where you can really just enjoy the sights and sounds of baseball like a spring training workout. No scoreboard. No stats being tracked. No feeling bad if your team happened to lose.
Simple and fun like those days on the sandlot.
Just baseball.
