Hot and Cold...

I’m sure I spent the better part of this winter stating that it was January, or February or March so we shouldn’t be surprised that the weather is cold and of course it is still winter. We will also make those comments at the beginning of spring, which hit us some time on Wednesday. Hard to imagine that spring sports are upon us and we’re not sure if we should put our parkas away just yet.

We all know that baseball will soon begin its 162 game schedule and that hope springs eternal for our favorite Major League teams. Brother Larry and I had the opportunity to go to spring training last week and see the Mariners play three games.

For those of you that have never done this you are missing out on some great American fun. The only drawback that we had was the week we went the weather was unusually hot. Temperatures from 90-98 welcomed us to the ballpark in Peoria, Ariz.

I know most people didn’t feel sorry for me slaving away in the hot sun, but you did have to make sure that the sunscreen was applied. It was good to see some baseball played again in the great outdoors.

When it comes to the team itself I have a good question. The question that I have for Seattle is, “Why did you trade Michael Morse for Ryan Langerhans?”

He was a very good prospect for the M’s. Morse had some good years with the Washington Nationals. He has had a very good spring. On Thursday of last week, we saw Morse get five RBI in a comeback win over Cincinnati. That is the only game Morse played, but he made an impression.

Another guy that has returned is Raul Ibanez. With power and leadership the M’s have the nucleus for a good team this year with some power and since the fences will be moved in at Safeco Field there is a real good chance that souvenirs will be flying out of Safeco.

We saw our share of home runs hit in the three games we attended. I hope for some very good things from this group. I still think they are a year or two away from some great things but it should be a fun year in Seattle.

We were able to visit with some family that we haven’t seen in a while and a great-nephew that already has an extra gear, even though he is only 23 months old. His dad and grandma have to keep a close eye on him because he is very inquisitive. He’ll be fun to watch grow up. Our visit with them was very special indeed and greatly appreciated. We need to keep in close touch, that’s for sure.

I also got see Coach McLean who came to Ritzville my senior year. We had a wonderful visit and I knew just why I thought so much of him. I had a very nice surprise when we got to his home. He had the column I had written about him last year framed and hanging on a wall next to a Hall of Fame medal that Everett Community College gave him as a member of the 1958-59 State Championship team. There are reasons we do things in life, I saw one of those things framed and hanging on a wall and it never looked better.

Coach also had out his scrapbook of teams he coached at Boistfort and Ritzville. The success that was achieved was through hard work and great leadership. He asked about the members of those basketball and baseball teams and for those that had passed he felt a deep pain for their loss to the world.

After the near week we spent in the Phoenix area I came to realize just how lucky I am. I have a great family and a respected relationship with a Coach who meant the world to me even though it was for only one season. I know that making that journey to Arizona was very important and valuable for me personally. The heat and cold were just weather elements but the warmth of the heart will keep me strong.