It's that day that baseball fans talk about all offseason. It's always really anti-climactic but we still pine for the day when pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training. I try to remain more even keel until at least Opening Day myself. I don't want to blow my load this early. Besides I try to be more tantric and save some of my Padres enthusiasm for August and September when the team is 10 games out of first and Padres fans have transformed themselves into football fans.
Johnson, Roach & Benoit got a workout in this morning in Peoria. Pitchers & Catchers report to #PadresST tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/1selcx6lUv
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) February 12, 2014So what's going on? Well lots of sports reporters are commenting on the newly renovated Spring Training facility. You may remember back in 2012, the Mariners and the Padres extended their lease with the city of Peoria and in doing so committed $15 million dollars each for upgrades to the club houses and $6 million each for their fields. Strangely, none of the reporters are sharing pictures of the upgrades, they're just marveling at them on Twitter, trying to make us jealous. It's barely working.
Bob Scanlan was the only one who would give us a peek:
First sight of day Padres new entrance to spring facility...nice! #PadsComplexhttp://t.co/s47oyiEheX
— Bob Scanlan (@heyscan) February 13, 2014What else? Padres beat writer Corey Brock arrived. He just filed his first story of the season. It's about Tim Stauffer waxing poetic about the veteran players that were in Padres uniforms when he was a rookie. Check that out:
Padres brimming with new faces this spring | padres.com: News
"We had guys like Trevor [Hoffman], [Ryan] Klesko and [Phil] Nevin, some older players," Stauffer said of big league camp in 2004. "I think it really set in when I first saw them on the field, in full game speed was pretty amazing to see … especially when that's your first taste of pro ball.
Also Jeff Sanders of the UT tells us that there will be no inning limit on Andrew Cashner this year.
More #Padres tidbit: Cashner isn't expected to have innings limit this year. Hunting accident sort of worked that out for him last year.
— Jeff Sanders (@JeffSanders_UT) February 13, 2014Back at home Petco Park still finds itself in transition. The new video screen in the Park at the Park, that we talked about last week is being installed. I once helped install a flat screen TV on a wall, so I'd be willing to lend a hand.
Petco Park Progress Update: The dismantling of the video board at the Park at the Park is underway #NewVibepic.twitter.com/6uH90Jb5qk
— Mike Dee (@PadresMikeDee) February 13, 2014On the field, the grass is still covered in checkered spots from the Davis Cup Tennis Tournament and covered in seating for another event.
Setting up for another event here @Padres. Hope to start re-sod project in outfield towards end of month pic.twitter.com/Gli6TA1a5D
— Luke Yoder (@luke_yoder) February 13, 2014Sadly too, we have confirmation that the rumors that our all-time favorite sideline reporter, Kelly Crull, is officially reporting on the Cubs. I'll forever <3 her.
@mrjcpr No, I'll be covering the Cubs this season.
— Kelly Crull (@kcru11) February 13, 2014Now we just have to wait for Laura to confirm her departure as well.
I can't wait for some good news to break. I want to hear stories of players gaining muscle weight and slimming down in the offseason.
