To Spring Training or not to Spring Training

I’ve been three times. Once in Vero Beach in 2004. Then again in Arizona in 2012 and 2013. Guys weekends are really fun, and covering the Dodgers is something I’ve always liked to do. I had the time. I had the money. The website benefited. There was no downside.

That was before the kid.

It’s a lame cliche — couples with kids lose their independence. Their money. Their lives. My kid was born in August of 2013, but March of that year was the last time I used preseason baseball as a great excuse to have a great time.

Along with Yasiel Puig, Hyun-jin Ryu was also an exciting rookie in the spring of 2013. By Owen Main

That spring, Yasiel Puig hit .517. Luis Cruz had more homers that Spring and the same number of RBI’s as Puig. “Cochito” looked like he was going to stick around at third base for the boys in blue. In the end, it was Puig who stuck around (Cruz is now in Japan), but the brief Cruz firework was what Spring training is kind of all about — hope and excitement about the upcoming season.

The baseball is, of course, only part of making the Spring Arizona pilgrimage. The going out, the restaurants, and having fun with buddies is a huge part of it, too. I won’t detail in this post the debauchery that I’ve witnessed in two trips to .

Two moments stick out to me about previous trips, though, that really make me want to go back.

The first happened in my first trip to Dodgertown in Florida. I made the trip across the state from where I lived to Vero Beach. I arrived nice and early at 8:30 AM. I was behind the ropes when the low minors guys came out to warm up. I watched them stretch as I heard their foul early-morning wind being broken. As the actual game was about to get under way on the main field at Holman Stadium, I walked my way over. As I neared the stadium I looked more closely at the gentleman who was walking next to me.

Spend enough time around Dodgers spring training, and you’ll be sure to see legends like Rick Monday or Tommy Lasorda (left). By Owen Main

It was Rick Monday.

I briefly talked to him about being a Dodger fan on the East coast. He mentioned that MLB.com was broadcasting the radio feeds in what was an early iteration of MLB.tv. That kind of access was “imagined” for Camelback Ranch — and it gets close — but there really was nothing like Dodgertown in Florida.

The second thing that makes me want to go back is, randomly, Jerry Hairston.

I was a lowly web blogger looking to hunt down a pretty standard-faire preview story for the 2013 Dodgers. While other players weren’t as friendly, Hairston’s demeanor and friendly attitude was a port in the unfamiliar ocean of the Dodgers’ clubhouse. He answered all of my questions, was engaged with what I was asking him, and had relevant things to say.

I know he’s an analyst for the team’s station now, and missing what he has to say is one of the reasons I get so ticked that I can’t get the Dodgers on television in San Luis Obispo, even with an MLB.TV subscription.

After Hairston, both A.J. Ellis and Mark Ellis were very professional and (dare I say?) friendly as well — something major leaguers don’t always have to be, especially when I’m sure my questions were the worst.

All that said, whatever insight I gained from watching the club for the better part of 4 games in March was useful throughout the remainder of the season. With so many questions about the upcoming season, I’m sure I could suck a little less at interviewing some players.

So, the fact that I’m going to write something about the team every day this year could be a good reason to go to Arizona once again.

Dodgers Spring training begins March 4 against the White Sox at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona.