DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum The Tribe beat Atlanta yesterday in Winter Haven

The wife and I plus our son and his wife watched the game yesterday afternoon under beautiful blue skies and cool breezes in Central Florida.
The temp hit 84 but was cooled by the lake breeze as we enjoyes the Tribe's 4-3 win.
Our pitching was good other than first inning jitters by the starter,Mastry, and even he settled down well after the first.
The game was typical for spring training as most starters played early except for Sizemore and Martinez. Defense was good and pitching was sharp for the most part while Chipper jones hit a bomb for the Braves while Garko hit a monster shot over the left field foul pole to sell the deal for the Tribe.

I hate it that the Tribe is leaving Florida for Arizona in 2009/2010 as living in Florida even with the long drive from the Gulf coast to the out of the way community of Winter Haven had it's upside . Free Dairy Queen Waffle cones and Bob Feller sightings make for a fun time.

That was a decent game to watch, for spring training, and it was shown on STO in the Cleveland area. I'd have probably been a little disappointed in going and not seeing a single starting pitcher between the two teams. Still, its great going to games in Winter Haven. Going to Goodyear, AZ will be more of a trek, but I'll still probably try and do it...

I saw Bob Feller a few years ago on a visit to training camp.

If there was ever a Mr. Cleveland Indian, it is Bob Feller.

No question, one of the greats.

I'm going to miss Winter Haven ... it had an "Old Florida" feel to it back when we first started going down in '93. Since then, the area has changed quite a bit - lots and lots of development. The orange groves behind Cypress Gardens Blvd where I would ride my bike are gone, the Days Inn next to the ballpark where we always stayed has been torn down, the formerly easy shot to Winter Haven down Rt 27 from the Florida Turnpike now is dotted with stoplights along with the obligatory CVS or Walgreens at every intersection. Its easy to see why the city wasn't all that interested in making a deal with the Indians to expand the Chain Of Lakes complex ... the real estate is just too valuable to be devoted to a one-month phenomena like spring training baseball.

Still, I can't see us making the trip to Arizona; it's just too far of a drive from Cleveland. So, I guess next year will be our last vacation to Indians spring training.

Fly

Nope, we travel with half our household ... besides luggage, we have bikes, coffee maker, laptop, coolers ... and then there's the package of Charmin my wife insists on bringing ... *L* ...

We always head over to Cocoa Beach for a few days after Winter Haven too - and I don't think the Grand Canyon would make a good substitute for that.

Besides, flying makes me squirrely ... I'm a little claustrophobic.

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Besides, flying makes me squirrely ... I'm a little claustrophobic.

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What the hell do u fly in...A Tin Can???...Airplanes are big...

That ain't claustrophobia...That's PARANOIA...lol...

Maybe instead of claustrophobia I should've called it "feel-trapped-a-phobia" ...
Whatever it is, I don't like it.

Hey rootntoot...

I was there yesterday too. Visting Florida for a few days, I hooked up with beachdawg and his neighbor and enjoyed the victory. Mastny started out a bit shakey but regrouped in the 2nd inning. The pitching was strong, Garko hit the big shot, and the brew was chilled to perfection. Leaving Florida tomorrow to go home to CA... but it was sure great to see the Tribe up close.

Hoping for a great season!! Go Indians!!

feel better,now?