2016 Spring Training Day 3

Up early, I texted Wallen and we made plans to go for a run. I packed up the room at the Phoenix Airport Marriott and headed towards the Wallen Condos.

Wallen and I went out for a morning run. We covered 4.15 miles in 45:21. We are not as fast as we once were... I always enjoy running with Wallen. I used to say that one of the reasons I trained so hard was so I could keep up with him a couple of times a year. Hopefully, we can continue run together for years to come. A map of the run is here.

After getting cleaned up, the group headed to Harlows. Jenny found this restaurant in 2004 and we have made it a regular stop for breakfast ever since. Wallen rode with me and we listened to the Proper Gentlemen album.

After breakfast, we headed to Maryvale. Although there are a lot of new ballparks in the last ten years, I have always enjoyed Maryvale. The plan for the day was to watch the Milwaukee Brewers versus Los Angeles Dodgers. Moore and one of his friends (Tim?) joined us for the game.

Former Oakland Athletic Scott Kazmir started for the split-squad Dodgers and allowed one earned run and four hits in four innings. Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Rymer Liriano was hit in the face by a pitch and was bleeding from his nose as he was carried off the field. The Brewers beat the Dodgers by the score of 3 to 1.

After the game, we wandered back to the Wallen Condos. The group, including Moore, spent an hour plus hanging out around the pool.

I made a questionable decision to fly out Sunday night. About 6 pm, I started to wind my way back to the airport. I dropped the rental car and took the shuttle to the airport. I caught a 8:35 pm flight from Phoenix to San Diego to Sacramento. Landing in Sacramento about 11:45 pm, it was about 12:30 am before I was in bed sleep.

It was a great weekend. I need to get back into the rhythm of going every year!

2016 Spring Training Day 2

Up fairly early, I ran 4.5 miles on the treadmill at the hotel. After getting cleaned up, I headed towards the condo where the Wallens were staying. After initially renting a house in North Scottsdale that fell through, The Wallens rented a condo in Desert Ridge. This is about 25 minutes due north of Phoenix. Oddly, the condo had a Phoenix address.

Wallen made eggs and sausages for breakfast. After hanging out at the condo for a while, we took off for game. I rode with Jenny, CJ and Bob.

The plan for the day was to see the Arizona Diamondbacks play the Texas Rangers at Talking Stick. With Zack Grienke pitching six strong innings, the Diamondback jumped all over a Rangers split squad. The Diamondbacks won the game by the score of 11 to 1.

A log of spring training games I have seen over the years is here.

I really enjoyed having an opportunity to catch up with Wallen during the game. This year's group included Wallen and Jill, Bob, Jenny, CJ, Bill and Bill's son Marcus. Marcus from Wallen's office, Brandon and Aaron were also on the trip, but I frankly saw very little of them over the course of the two days.

After the game, we made a quick stop at the store and then headed back to the condos. We visited on the balcony for the rest of the afternoon.

Eventually, we wandered across the street to the Cowboys Saloon for dinner. The Cowboys Saloon was a giant western themed restaurant and bar that got busier as the night wore on. I had a burger...

I headed back to the my hotel fairly early. I crashed hard after two long days.

2016 Spring Training Day 1

After missing last year, I am heading back to Wallen Family and Friends Spring Training trip. This will mark the twelfh out of the last seventeen years that I have made a pilgrimage to Arizona in March for Spring Training. From 2006 to 2014, Jack went with me to spring training eight out of nine years. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get Drew and Jack to join me this year.

I caught a 7:45 pm Southwest flight from Sacramento to Los Angeles to Phoenix. It was a lot cheaper than a nonstop from Sacramento to Phoenix. I didn't have to change planes. I landed about 10:50 pm. By the time I got off the plane, rode out to rental car facility, picked up the rental car and wound my way to the hotel, it was almost midnight.

I am spending two nights at the Phoenix Airport Marriott. After texting a large group a picture and part of a George Thorough song, I finally crashed about 12:30 am.