FLORIDA HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE VENUE for MLB’s spring training, only in recent years being challenged by Arizona. This is the time when the regulars work themselves into playing shape and talented wannabees vie for a chance to make it to “the Show.”
Publix Fied, Spring home of the Tigers
It is also a time for fans of all ages to get up close to the players, snag a foul ball and an autograph or two. Surprisingly, at least to us, tickets are twice as expensive as for regular season games. Even a seat on the grassy knoll in what passes for bleachers cost a double sawbuck.
Sibling Tigers fans Kids will be kids, Connie and Dee
We met Connie’s brother and his wife, Ken and Dee (whom you may remember from Amsterdam) in Lakeland, winter home of their beloved Tigers, for a game against the Braves. A cold front kept the temperatures in the 60s, much welcomed for our shadeless seats a few rows behind first base. This close to the action, two things stand out. You can really hear the sounds of the game, especially the crack of a hit and the slap of the ball in the first baseman’s mitt. The other thing is how large the players are. No PeeWee Reeses here, where 6’4” seems to be about average and biceps are as big around as my thighs.
Connie, John and Mr. McKenzie
This was a busy couple of days for yours truly, with so much human interaction that Connie actually lost her voice. After spending a day at the ballpark with Ken and Dee, we drove to Clearwater Beach to meet one of John’s high school teachers and his wife. I got in touch with Mr. McKenzie — I never referred to him as such but neither did I feel I had permission to call him Joel — after my brother died. In addition to being our English teacher, he coached Mike’s State Champion baseball team and Mike asked to be remembered to him. One thing led to another and we arranged to meet him and wife Elsie for lunch. I remembered him in his late 20s and in my minds eye I see myself as 30-something. So the reality of two old guys, one approaching 80 and the other on the cusp of 70, was a bit off-putting. Otherwise we had a great time. Elsie is wonderfully open and remembers my brother fondly. She and Connie got to know each other while Joel and I stoled down Memory Lane. They are nearly as well-traveled as we are and it was nice to compare our experiences
