As the spring training season winds down, there’s actually stuff going on! For starters, our President went to Cuba as everyone knows, and among his esteemed delegation was our own Jeets. I love the above photo. You can just hear them ribbing each other about their golf games. Jeter did an interview with ESPN that day and reiterated his desire to buy a baseball team. Are the Tampa Rays be on his radar? I would think so unless MLB is planning to move the team to a bigger market and more hospitable stadium.
Meanwhile, in Tampa, A-Rod told ESPN’s Andrew Marchand today that he would retire after his contract is up in 2017. Not exactly a shocker, unless he planned on playing for another team, but at least he put a finite end to his career, which allows him to have some version of a victory tour in ’17. Of course injuries could derail his plans, but if he’s still productive for the next couple of years and conducting himself as he did last year, good for him.
Starlin Castro has created a buzz at camp, so I’m eager to see him play in the Bronx. And Luis Severino continues to impress. CC, on the other hand, has been having his problems on the mound. Will he end up in the bullpen? Stranger things have happened.
In the feel-good department, there was a terrific story today in Tampa! If anyone needs a lift – and given the horrors in the world this week, who doesn’t – just read this.