Spring Training 2026 - Day 60

 Most of today was spent breaking down outside RV equipment and packing things up.  We made good progress and will finish up tomorrow.

We did go out for lunch at a Steak and Shake just down the road. They have good burgers and their milkshakes are outstanding.

We did a few more things after lunch then rested.  Then all of a sudden, it was time for dinner. We went to great authentic Italian restaurant, Acqua Alta.  We have eaten there on previous trips and the food remains excellent.  

                                                           

           Pasta in a cheese wheel                                            

We had an appetizer, toasted focaccia bread with cheese, tomato slices, basil, and balsamic vinegar. It was delicious.

.

I had a pizza for dinner and Kevin had a steak, cooked Italian style with a cheese sauce.  Both were excellent.

Watched hockey back in the RV and on to bed after a busy day.

Spring Training 2026 - Day 59

 Well, its's a wrap for spring training baseball.  It was Game 17 for us in Clearwater today.  The Phillies played the Tampa Bay Rays.  The game started an hour earlier as the players on the roster headed to Philadelphia after the game to prepare for the season opener against the Texas Rangers on Thursday.

The lineup for both teams featured pretty much what the starting lineups for each team will look like to open the season.  Most of the main players only played 5 innings and the rest of the game was played by backup players on the roster and a few minor leaguers.  It was not a great game for the Phillies as they lost 7-0.  Of course, it was spring training, and every team is tied for first place when the real games start this week.  Spring training is not just about winning or losing but also opportunities to evaluate new players, upcoming rookies, veterans trying to make the team, and players on the roster to get their "game" ready for the season that is 162 games long.  Winning these games is still important but is not necessarily a reflection of how the team will perform during the season.  The Phillies roster looks strong, and I expect they will do well this year.

Day 59 - Phillies v Rays

After the game we headed over to Dunedin for a late lunch/early dinner at Flanagan's Irish Pub, a favorite place from previous trips. Kevin and I had great meals, each featuring corned beef, accompanied by a glass of Guiness draft beer.

On the way back to the RV, we stopped at the Lucky Dill restaurant to get some more pastries at the attached Brooklyn Bakery.  Their pastries are the best by far of any we have had here.  Back at the RV we each ate one for dessert.

We will continue tomorrow to get ready for our departure on Thursday to begin the next phase of our spring training adventure - heading home.

It has been a great trip and spring training baseball experience. There have been plenty of memories, good times, and reconnecting with places in the area and people at the stadium who Judy and I knew and who remembered us from previous trips over the years. 

 Judy would be pleased.

Spring Training 2026 - Day 58

 No baseball today.  We slept in a little and made corned beef hash with scrambled eggs for breakfast/brunch We had some leftover corned beef brisket left over from our St. Patrick's Day dinner and the hash was a good use for it.  It turned out well and was delicious.

The rest of the day was spent starting to organize things for heading home. I also travelled to Walmart for some supplies needed for the trip.  

Dinner was at the Texas Longhorn, a repeat visit from our first meal here. Another great meal.

Our last game tomorrow.  It will start an hour early, and I expect all the players who made the team are ready to go back to Philadelphia to start the season on Thursday against the Texas rangers.  The players who did not make the opening day roster will either be assigned to one of four Phillies minor league teams, released, traded, or stay in Clearwater (new rookies) to play in the developmental Florida Coast League against other teams' comparable rookies.  That league will continue into the summer I believe.

Spring Training 2026 - Day 57

 The game today was a showcase of the best Phillies prospects against the best Toronto Blue Jays prospects.  This is a new thing major league baseball has initiated this year in spring training.  It was an interesting game, seeing future Phillies, some who are closer to the "show' than others.  

Each team had tables setup on the concourse with players from both teams signing autographs before the start of the game.  The lines were long with people getting autographs on baseball cards, balls, jerseys, and other baseball paraphernalia.

There were only about 5,000 fans attending, down from previously sellouts at games with major league players.  Nevertheless, it turned out to be an exciting game as Toronto rallied in the 9th inning with 3 runs but came up short and lost 5-4.

The weather continues to warm up and the wind is decreasing. It was pleasant weather at 75 degrees, a clear blue sky and little wind, perfect baseball weather.

Day 57 - Phillies prospects v Blue Jays prospects

No baseball tomorrow and the last game is on Monday.  We will start preparing for our return trip tomorrow for our departure on Thursday.

Spring Training 2026 - Day 56

 It was a good baseball day.  The weather was in the 70's, not a lot of wind, and sunny.  

The game today featured top pitchers from the Phillies and the Detroit Tigers.   Both teams also had a lot of their primary players in the game, making it seem like a regular season game. It was also another sellout crowd of over 10,000 bringing a lot of energy to the stadium.  The Phillies went ahead early but Detroit tied the game, and it ended in a 4-4 tie.  Extra innings are not normally played in Spring Training, especially towards the end of the spring season.

Day 56 - Phillies v Tigers

We stopped at the store for a few things for dinner and I grilled hamburgers outside.  Kevin cooked beans and onion rings and we had a simple dinner that was very good.  I also cooked a pound of bacon outside for the trip home.

Two games to go.  Tomorrow is a special game with the Phillies top prospects playing the top prospects from Toronto.  No game on Sunday and the last game is on Monday.

All quiet in the park this evening, The wind has died down, there a nice sunset and all of us older folks here are settled down for the night as far as we can tell.

Spring Training 2026 - Day 55

The park ducks were back today, trolling the ditch behind the RV.  I am not sure what they are finding under the water. Probably not worth asking about or researching.

After our morning mocha at Starbucks, we traveled over to the ballpark for the game against the Tampa Bay Rays.  It was warmer, still a little windy, but much better than the St. Patrick's Day game.

It was a quick game, 2 hours and 5 minutes, our fastest game so far.  The Rays only had two hits, both home runs.  The Phillies were hitting however and won 8-2.

Day 55 - Phillies v Rays

It was a fun game.  The Phanatic was in his "game mode" and even had a younger version in Phanatic gear dancing with him.  

He even did his " harass the policeman providing security" routine.

We even saw a Tampa Bay minor league player (Gomez # 94) showing his gold medal from the Venezuela Team winning the WBC Baseball Tournament.

It was dinner in the RV again.  Kevin cooked Kielbasa and red potatoes for dinner. Again, another successful meal, mostly prepared in the air fryer, a new kitchen tool that is working well.

More baseball tomorrow - and it is warming, and no rain in the forecast for our departure next Thursday.