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Saturday, February 27, 2016 – JetBlue Park, Ft. Myers

Spring Training Workout and Open House

My third day in Ft. Myers brought me back to JetBlue Park for another full squad workout.  Big Papi was back in action after being given a day off to work in the batting cages,  and Rusney Castillo was on the field after being out several days with the flu.  We had fun watching some different drills (although one gave us a scare) and picking up autographs.  After the workout, we attended JetBlue Park’s free open house.  My favorite pictures from the day are below.

Left-handed prospect Henry Owens. We found out as a coach called to him during a drill that his nickname is "Bigfoot."

Left-handed prospect Henry Owens. We found out, as a coach called to him during a drill, that his nickname is "Bigfoot."

It's Eduardo Rodriguez's turn on the hill during a drill that included the whole team practicing rundowns and cutoffs.

It's Eduardo Rodriguez's turn on the hill during a drill that included the whole team practicing rundowns and cutoffs.

New closer Craig Kimbrel flashes a big smile.

New closer Craig Kimbrel flashes a big smile.

Henry Owens makes the catch as the picthers participate in a popup drill.

Henry Owens makes the catch as the pitchers participate in a popup drill.

One of the drills we watched was the pitchers practicing catching popups.  They were doing so with varied success, and the players and fans alike were all getting into it, oohing and ahhing over nice catches and groaning and needling each other over the misses.  The video below shows some of the fun as Brandon Workman, Henry Owens, Joe Kelly, Eduardo Rodriguez, Robbie Ross, Noe Ramirez, David Price, and Heath Hembree attempt plays that, during the season, may best be left to the infielders.



Everyone was enjoying the drill until Eduardo Rodriguez caught his cleat while backpedaling and dropped to the ground.  The whole season flashed in front of my eyes as the promising lefty who’s slotted in as the number three starter lay on the ground and the coach signaled for a trainer.  After a few minutes, Ed-Ro got up (to applause from the fans) and walked off the field and into the clubhouse.  We heard on the way home that he was doing much better and nothing was broken or torn.  I sure hope that’s the case, as his ability to build on his success from last year is a big key to how far this year’s team can go.

David Price walked by at the end of practice.

David Price walked by at the end of practice.

A large crowd watches as Dustin Pedroia takes some swings during batting practice.

A large crowd watches as Dustin Pedroia takes some swings during batting practice.

As the workout wrapped up, we were excited to see Tim Wakefield signing autographs. He was one of my favorites in his playing days, and is now in camp to mentor young knuckleballer Steven Wright. I also got autographs from Pablo Sandoval, Travis Shaw, and minor league third baseman Chris Dominguez.

As the workout wrapped up, we were excited to see Tim Wakefield signing autographs. He was one of my favorites in his playing days, and is now in camp to mentor young knuckleballer Steven Wright. I also got autographs from Pablo Sandoval, Travis Shaw, and minor league third baseman Chris Dominguez.

After the workout ended, we went into the stadium for the free open house.  We got a chance to go into the dugout, up on the green Monster, and onto the outfield grass.

All the retired numbers are on display outside the stadium, so we had to track down the #45 for my alltime favorite player, Pedro Martinez, whose number was retired this past year.

All the retired numbers are on display outside the stadium, so we had to track down the #45 for my all-time favorite player, Pedro Martinez, whose number was retired this past year.

JetBlue's version of the Green Monster has seating half-way up as well as in the top.  Here's the view from the middle level, looking through the netting and onto the field.

JetBlue's version of the Green Monster has seating half-way up as well as on the top. Here's the view from the lower level, looking through the netting and onto the field.

We weren't allowed to open the door that leads inside the Green Monster, but there was no reason I couldn't pretend that I had just come through it. I guess that's just Kristen Being Manny!

We weren't allowed to open the door that leads inside the Green Monster, but there was no reason I couldn't pretend that I had just come through it. I guess that's just Kristen Being Manny!

Posted on February 27, 2016 · Permalink · Share on Facebook
Posted in: 2016 Spring Training, Events

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  1. Written by Charles Hunter
    on February 28, 2016 at 7:51 am
    Reply ·