The months between the last game of the World Series and Opening day are always the worst for me as a baseball fan, so of course I will do whatever I can to fill the baseball-size hole within me and see games before Opening Day. Thanks to our close proximity to Phoenix, last year we started what we hope to be a tradition of attending at least one Brewers Spring Training game a season. The Cactus League usually starts their Spring Training games either the last week in February or the first weekend in March. This timing works perfectly for us, as the following weekend usually kicks off the NCAA Conference Tournaments through April, which we are obviously occupied with. J
The Brewers started their Spring Training games on February 25th this year “at” the Anaheim Angels, so we headed to Phoenix the night before to officially kick off the MLB season! The stadiums where the games are held are much more intimate than what you see during the regular season, with seats only spanning from one foul pole to the other, and just one level of seating as well. In addition, the players are much more relaxed during their games also. Because of this, a lot of fans are able to interact with the players, including Robbie and I, which was a pretty cool experience for me, but more on that later.
We got to the Angels Spring Training stadium, called Tempe Diablo Stadium, right when the gates opened. I will say that the Angels Spring Training stadium is probably the nicest stadium in the Cactus League. We got tickets right there at the box office, and made sure to get seats as close to the Brewers dugout as possible.
When we got to our seats, the Angels were going through their batting practice session, and the Brewers were nowhere in sight. I was getting anxious for their arrival because I knew that we would have a good chance to chat with them and maybe get some autographs. I always think it’s weird for the players to see two thirty-something’s just holding out baseballs and sharpies, so we try and find a funny anecdote or fact about them to get their attention first so they know we are truly sincere fans and not just some autograph-hungry people who will turn around and sell those autographs on Ebay the next day. Anyway, after we found our seats, we went down to the first row just left of the dugout and got in prime player interaction position! Robbie and I bought a bag of 12 baseballs before our trip in hopes to have 1 player sign their own ball. At first I thought it was a far-fetched idea that we would get 12 different player autographs on 12 different balls, but I figured it couldn’t hurt to try. The Brewers finally made their appearance, and to me that indicated the start of the season!
One of the fun things to watch the last few years has been the Brewers Farm System (minor league players). The team has such great talent in Triple A who are on the cusp of being called up. So, a bunch of those valued Triple A players are invited to Spring Training each year. It’s these players who are getting their first real look at the majors and it’s all just so new to them. Being the Triple A players have been so good recently, we have been keeping an eye on them the last couple season, and a handful of those players were there on Saturday. Being we have been watching their AAA progress, we knew who they were, and I’m sure they were pretty impressed by that. Robbie could call them out by name! The first player who’s attention we got was a pitcher by the name of Brett Suter. He was actually called up late last season, and I even remember watching his very first MLB appearance. He was slated to start in this game as well. He was more than happy to sign for us! Then we were able to get the attention of a veteran utility player, Hernan Perez. Robbie asked him if he was going to have a 30-30 season (30 home runs and 30 stolen bases), to which he replied “I wish!” His response should have been, “I HOPE!” We were able to have him stay long enough to sign a ball for us just before the National Anthem was sung.
Brett Suter, Pitcher
Hernan Perez, Infield Utility
To me, all action in Spring Training is exciting because it’s the players’ first chance to get a feel for live action during a game scenario. Most players are just getting used to their position again, or new positions (Scooter Gennett, I’m looking at you), or getting to swing a bat for the first time of the season against real pitching. Starting pitcher Brett Suter did a great job in his first outing, pitching just an inning, and only giving up a walk. The Brewers ended up putting 7 pitchers on the mound that day, but I didn’t expect anything less. Now is the time for the coaches to see who’s got it, who doesn’t, and who needs to work on what. The Brewers also brought several batters to the plate, including the big AAA prospect Lewis Brinson who we are excited about and have been following in the Farm System! As a whole, only a handful of hits came off the bats for the day, but it’s a start! The Brewers lost 2-0, but it was still a really fun game to be at!
Just as the game was wrapping up, we headed to where the team was due to exit the ballpark, which was in right field, hoping for more time to interact with players. A lot of the fans had left the game right away, and the others that were left trying to get autographs were Angels fans. With us having the ability to call players out by name (even in street clothes), I figured we were going to get their attention! The first player we were able to reach out to was Michael Reed who plays left field, an AAA invitee who had a plate appearance that day! The next one we were really excited about, AAA outfielder Lewis Brinson, who the Brewers acquired for trading veteran catcher Jonathan Lucroy to the Texas Rangers. The Brewers definitely came out on top with that trade adding not only Brinson, but Luis Ortiz and Ryan Cordell as well. Cordell was the “player-to-be-named-later” in that trade. To us, Brinson has the most potential. As he was signing our baseball, we conveyed our gratitude that he is with the team! After Brinson, we saw pitcher Jhan (pronounced ‘Yan’) Marinez walk out in street clothes and a Mickey Mouse hat. We still knew who he was. He was quiet, but gracious enough to sign for us! Jhan pitched in relief for the Brewers last season. The last player who’s attention we got was center fielder Brett Phillips, who was also an AAA invitee (and a player that was acquired in the Carlos Gomez trade in 2015). Brett Phillips is a hoot! He was the one who stuck around and had a longer conversation with us than all the rest of the players. He even signed 2 of our baseballs because after he realized we were having 1 player sign their own baseball, he insisted on signing the “sweet spot” of the baseball. He was also surprised to have his signature on a ball all to himself. Phillips came up to us with Brett Suter, who remembered signing a ball for us prior to the game. I’m so glad Robbie was right next to me, initiating all the conversations because I was a little star-struck and wouldn’t have known what to say! Ron Roenicke, who used to be the Brewers head coach from 2011-2015, is now the Angels 3rd base coach; as he was walking off the field we shouted his name, but he passed on coming over to us. I wouldn’t have minded his John Hancock.
Michael Reed, Outfield
Lewis Brinson,Outfield
Brett Phillips (the hoot), Center Field
Ron Roenicke, former Brewers coach and current Angels 3B coach. Exchanging words with current Brewers 3B coach. Kind of a "full circle" moment
It’s an exciting feeling getting to meet all these players that have been/will be in my living room all summer. I had to keep reminding myself that they are all just human beings! Haha! We now have 6 new signed baseballs that we need to display somewhere, including the 7 that we have acquired over the years as well! It’s a fun problem to solve!
Our weekend haul!
The Brewers are only one game into their 2017 Spring Training season, but I already see their young talent shining through. I’m excited to see how they progress. It’s been a long time coming, and I have high hopes for them in the near future! If we weren’t so much into the NCAA Tournaments, we would be going to more Spring Training games for sure. Even still, I’m happy to have seen them just once.
Right after the ballgame, we hit the road towards home, but not before stopping to get some delicious Culver’s burgers for the road!
“It’s been the longest winter without you.” – Leona Lewis
