The players of Major League Baseball have a bevy of opinions on Spring Training, ranging from the good to the bad to the ugly.
Some enjoy the challenge of getting back into "baseball shape" and working out the kinks of their game, as well as the company of their teammates.
Pitcher Justin Masterson of the Indians brought up a third advantage of Spring Training.
"The weather's great, don't you think?" he queried.
Spring Training "is a good time," Masterson said, adding that it's "fun to get back at it with the boys. I haven't seen them for the whole offseason. So it's good to be back."
The Angels' Trevor Bell is in the same camp. In Bell's opinion, baseball's version of boot camp is "amazing."
"I've put a lot of hard work in so far in Spring Training," he said, "and everything we do in the offseason kind of leads up to Day 1."
Masterson's and Bell's sentiments were echoed by Brandon Phillips of the Reds.
"[Spring Training] is just getting back into the groove of baseball," Phillips said. "I feel like I'm out there running slow -- the field is so much bigger, the game is much faster ... it's all about getting back into the swing of baseball.
"During the season, you don't see cactuses or coyotes or things like that!" Phillips added.
Asked if he had been sightseeing, Phillips said that, "Late at night, driving in the desert, you see all of these eyes just running by. I say [to myself], 'Oh my gosh, I am not going to get out of this car!' "
Others pointed out some of Spring Training's shortcomings. According to Angels pitcher Rich Thompson, the worst part of Spring Training is the early mornings, a sentiment echoed by Tribe second baseman Jason Kipnis who, admittedly, is not a morning person.
Many players have been feeling the pressure of giving coaches a good showing in camp. Yonder Alonso, a newly minted San Diego Padre, is among them.
"I'm more anxious and more excited than a few years before," he said. "It is a good opportunity for myself, and I feel like I can contribute to this team and [I'm] looking forward to it. Anytime you can find an open spot and have a chance to play, that's a plus.
"Spring Training is a lot of repetition. Getting ready for the season, not so much for the game [that day]; getting to the ballpark early and putting a lot of work in."
All are looking forward to the season ahead with high hopes. Some are attempting to earn a spot on a 40-man roster; others aim to adjust to their new teams.
"It's a new season here with the Reds and I'm glad to be home," said Cincinnati native Andrew Brackman, who was signed by Reds general manager Walt Jocketty in the offseason. "The only goal I have is to help the team out. And that's what I'm here to do."
"It is exciting right now," said Kipnis. "I got my feet wet a little bit last year. It's really exciting to be with the team from the start and I can have a whole season under my belt."
Tribe outfielder Shin-Soo Choo just wants to stay healthy.
"I was injured last year," Choo lamented. "The health is most important since you have to play in many games."
Ubaldo Jimenez of the Indians tied it all together.
"I expect good things," said Jimenez. "I expect to be healthy -- that's the first thing that I didn't have last year. And hopefully I can help the team make it to the playoffs [and] be able to throw 200 or more innings."
But maybe Sean Marshall of the Reds, a new arrival from the Chicago Cubs, said it best.
"Every team that comes into Spring Training always wants to win the World Series," he said. "That's our main goal, no matter what team we're playing for."
No comments:
Post a Comment