Just got back from Dunedin - and was a pretty incredible time I must say
Beautiful complex with five ball diamonds, all of which are just manicured perfectly!!! Wasn't a great scene for autographs though, as the Jays have done a pretty good job at keeping players away from the fans during practice - I think there was only one diamond where the players had to leave out of a dugout to get to their next field, in which fans would have an opportunity to get something signed. The other diamonds the players were able to leave from the outfield fence to the next diamond - all of which wasn't accessible for fans. Rough pumpkins, was pretty jacked to get a bat signed or a picture or two - but will settle with a 30 second talk with Don Wakamatsu... really nice guy!
Just a few notes from their first "team" practice, as I hope to upload a few of my better photos when I get home:
- Jose Bautista is a true leader. Guy spent all his time, when not in the cage hitting, working with Colby Rasmus, Mike McCoy, and Jeff Mathis on their approach... At one point Mathis came in and hit four outta the park, prompting a fan to ask Bautista what he told him. Bautista turned and smiled, but that was about it. Someone said that the other day, something happened between a fan and Bautista - which kinda put him into a bad mood. Not sure what it was - but he sure wasn't as friendly as I thought he would be.
- Eric Thames is a damn animal... Guy is absolutely ripped, and had numerous great rounds of batting practice. I know it was only one practice, but I would not be surprised to see his starting in left field this year. Thames just hits absolute rockets all over the field, and probably had the second longest ding in bp.
- Travis Snider/Colby Rasmus - like I said, just one practice, but neither really stand out to me in person. Snider's hands do look to have gotten lower, which in turn looks like he is quicker to the ball. Turned on a lot of pitches. Rasmus had a few good rounds of bp, but found myself more impressed with his outfielding and ability to track baseballs down. Neither of them are very big either - haven't decided if that means they aren't big kids, or I need to cut some weight.
- Jesse Litsch is the card of the bunch from what I seen. Probably the only group of all 60 some players that was laughing - and Litsch was leading the bunch. Has lost a "little" weight too it seemed.
- Adam Lind also looked to have lost a few lbs, and someone beside me said that they had talked to him a few days earlier, and he told them he had trimmed down a bit in hopes of a healthy season.
- Ricky Romero is locked in. Followed him thru three of the fields, and was so concentrated in the tedious pitcher fielding practices that it was actually impressive. I hope he has a fantastic season, and truly becomes one of the league's best aces. Comes across as a absolute workhorse, and a heckuva leader.
- Arencibia/Lawrie had great rounds of bp as well. Lawrie probably had the most dings outta anyone - a few no-doubters, as one went off a building well behind the outfield fence.
- Hutchinson is one lanky kid.
- Darren Oliver is as old as advertised. I snapped a good photo of him, just for Maritime
That is all off the top of my head, if anyone wants to know anything more on anyone, just ask and I'll try my best to give ya what I seen. Anthopolous was out and about, and I got a great photo of him I will upload when I get home. Was a great time like I said, a little sad that the players weren't a little more accessible, but that's the way it goes. It is their job I suppose, and someone said that your best chances at autographs is at their stadium when they're on their way to their vehicles - but I just didn't have enough time to do that. Excellent stuff all in all, and more excited about the season that I ever have been.
EDIT - Rajai Davis had the longest home run of the day... easily.
EDIT EDIT - New jerseys are slick as well. The rebranding was everywhere throughout the complex - looks sharp.
