Peoria, Arizona: Another beautiful day and another jog before heading over to the Peoria Sports Complex. I ran a very long distance today (for me) and Joanie Benoit Samuelson talked into my headset, congratulating me. Yeah me. However, when I went to sync my workout on my NIKE+ page - poof - it was gone. Like I never ran this morning. Sometimes technology just bites you on the Achilles heel.
Dang.
My luck was better at the stadium this afternoon, as Ichiro Suzuki blessed us with an appearance! Before the 1:05p game (Mariners v Oakland Athletics at Peoria Sports Complex), DT and I walked around the entire stadium to see what we could see.
We saw this - water, Gatorade, sunflower seeds (regular and BBQ flavored) and two big buckets of bubble gum - ready for the players in the Mariner bullpen. Unseen in this photo is also a box of pumpkin seeds... probably for the health-nuts on the team.
We also watched the players walk from the locker room to the ball field. Some stopped to sign autographs for the fans lining the walkway. Some did not. I'm not naming names, but it's not Ichiro. Ichiro is not allowed to walk this gauntlet and interact with mere mortals. They drive him to the stadium in a golf cart.Prima donna or a safety issue?
Ken Griffey, Jr. walked into the stadium on his own two feet. That's about all the exercise he had today too. He can't bat worth crap very well at all these days... though I would guess Griffey has dropped at least twenty pounds in the off-season. Looking good, Junior!
Mariner fielder Milton Bradley (#15) slides into second base. Obviously, his parents did not have one of those "baby name" books.We take a brief pause in this RV Travelogue for a photo for Mary:
Franklin Gutierrez
Mary just loves Frankie.
Now, back to our regular program.
Below you will find way too many photos of my favorite Mariner, right-fielder Ichiro Suzuki. Ichiro is a very serious athlete and very serious about his game. He is an outstanding batter too. Ichiro has an interesting pre-batting routine.
Ichiro is very limber.
Ichiro stretches. He bends.
Perfects his grip.
He adjusts his shirt.
Then he is finally ready for a pitch.
Keep those knees together, Ichiro!
Bang.
Ichiro is like a shark. He can't stop moving. Even when he is in the field, he is stretching. Scratching. Adjusting stuff.
You might think Ichiro is just ready to catch a fly ball. You are wrong. I am sure he is in a yoga position. Possibly meditating.
But he can catch a ball.
If Ichiro doesn't catch a ball - and the nearby centerfielder does - Ichiro gives him props. Who knew Ichiro was a Texas fan? Hook'em Horns!The trivial things you learn looking at the pictures reading RVGoddess.com. I'm telling you - if you read this website everyday, you will one-day be Jeopardy champion.
Just sayin'.
Okay... maybe he is just signaling the Athletics have two outs. Whatever.
And now the game is over. Mariners lost 7-2 to the Oakland Athletics.
But I don't really care. It is only "pre-season", and I saw Ichiro all afternoon. In 85 degree temperatures. From seats in the shade.Until my next update, I remain, your Ichiro-adoring correspondent.
RV Park: Valley of the Sun RV Park. Bare-bones facility behind the Ramada Inn on Grand Avenue near the 101 Ring Road. $230 for a week. Our site is one of the few with 50 amp service. Back-in site over quickly-collapsing asphalt. Bath house and laundry and it seems RV guests can use the motel pool.