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Spring Training Diary

February 16-19, 2004


Minor leaguers work out

I travelled to Ft. Myers, Florida for Spring Training during school vacation week, and President's Day fell early this year. We were worried that we'd be too early to see anyone, but it wasn't a problem.

Foulke, Embree, and Jim Rowe
Alan Embree works out under the watchful eyes of trainer Jim Rowe and new closer Keith Foulke.
Once pitchers and catchers report, they have their workouts at the minor league complex a few miles down the road from the stadium, but those workouts hadn't started when we were there, so we hung out at City of Palms Park. Most of the players we saw in batting and fielding practices were minor leaguers, but on Tuesday we saw Alan Embree throwing. Keith Foulke was there too, but he looked like he had just arrived, so he wasn't throwing that day. Terry Francona showed up as Embree was throwing and greeted everyone. One of the catchers was Andy Dominique, whom we recognized from spring training last year, plus games in Portland and Pawtucket. After all the major leaguers had gone in, they let the fans who were milling about outside into the stadium. I hadn't been in the stadium before, because last year we were in time for the workouts at the minor league complex. There were a few minor leaguers taking batting practice, and stadium workers painting and getting ready for games to start.

On Wednesday morning, we were watching some young pitchers we didn't recognize, when Scott Williamson came in. A little while later, Curt Schilling showed up in his Hummer with a cool paint job that looks green, blue, or purple (Arizona Diamonbacks colors) depending on the light. He was wearing a Bruins jersey and carrying a duffel bag and a laptop.

Dave Wallace and Curt Schilling Derek Lowe and Brian Daubach
Dave Wallace talks with Curt Schilling.Derek Lowe greets Brian Daubach.

On Thursday, we got to see Derek Lowe pitch. We also recognized Dave Wallace and trainer Jim Rowe. While Lowe was throwing, Brian Daubach showed up. Several other pitchers came out, one of whom was Mark Malaska, the lefty the Sox claimed off waivers this winter. (While watching a couple of Spring Training games on TV after we got back home, we realized two of the others were lefty Tim Hamulak and righty Jerome Gamble.) Then Schilling came out and pitched, and Tim Wakefield arrived but didn't throw. After everyone was done throwing, we went around to the practice field, where Schilling participated in pitcher's fielding practice and Daubach took batting practice. By late morning there were over 100 fans lined up outside the players' parking lot to see if anyone was going to be autographing on their way out. We heard that Lowe had signed on his way out, but that was when we were around the corner watching Schilling pitch. When Curt was ready to leave, he pulled out of the parking lot and parked on the side of the road. He signed autographs for everyone who was there, leaning out the window of the car. Third base prospect Kevin Youkilis also pulled over and signed.

So even though we didn't get to see the official workouts, we still had fun and got to see a lot of players. In the afternoons we went to the beaches in Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island. We returned home refreshed and eagerly awaiting Opening Day.

Curt Schilling signs Curt Schilling signs


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