First, some background.  My father (retired) and I have done three (four after this summer) ballpark tours, hitting around 3/4ths of the MLB parks out there.  Basically, he still lives in the Chicago area, and I moved away to Minnesota, and this is a way to spend a week together every other year or so.

What I'm asking is, would a spring training trip be worth it (not this year, either next, or in two years)?  I've always been a little luke-warm on ST.  Yes, I'm excited to see that the sounds of summer are back, but I realize that the games themselves are meaningless.  I also couldn't care less about getting autographs, etc.  So, for those that have been to Mesa (and the other sites), is there enough to make it worth it?  Was anyone disapointed?

Or, on the flip-side, would you suggest getting to all the MLB parks first, then go to ST (we're missing, basically the out-of-the-way ones - those not close to each other, like Seattle, Colorado and the Florida ones)?

Thanks for your thoughts...  Moose

Well, I know that Cedeno's phantom "error" has been discussed a bit in the game post (for those that don't know, it was officially changed to a 2 run doubble for Chris Dickerson), but coupled with CC's non-no-hitter (which I thought should have been), what do you guys think of the official scorers position?

The Cedeno non-error screams of homerism, but the CC "hit" is the opposit.  I believe Al has called for a fifth umpire, or MLB official (i.e., a unbiased person) to make the scoring decisions.  Yesterday's ruling seems to support this opionion, one which I would support as well.

Moose

Was watching the ballgame yesterday, and Len Casper mentioned this new (old) Cubs fan club that's (re) starting up, called the West Side Rooters Social Club.  Now, this may just be a marketing ploy for Harry Caray's, but it's free to join, and Ernie Banks and Ryne Sandberg are involved as well.

Al, if you think this is too much like free advertising for Harry Caray's, feel free to delete it, but I thought it was interesting (and historical)...

Moose

So, I got my newest Eastbay catalog, and they have a new Cubs t-shirt available.  Funny, I don't remember the Cubs having three World Series titles...  So I look closer.  Now, I'm all for celebrating the Cubs pre-AL/NL merger success (NL titles in 1887, '80, '81, '82, '85 and '86 - as an aside, why aren't these titles more celebrated?  I.E. no flags on the rooftop, etc.?), but the one year they pick (1884) the Cubs didn't even win the NL title (they finished 5th in the NL, and the Providence Grays beat the New York Metropolitans 3-0 in the "World Series" - a post-season exhibition between the top two teams in the National league)!

Anyway, thoughts?

Moose

3 @ Arizona
3 vs. Milwaukee
3 vs. Houston
4 vs. Los Angeles

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I'm headding out to the West Coast

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I know someone

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A new way to follow the Cubs

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I know Cubs and Astros fans realize how special the pitching match-up Wednesday is, but does the rest of the country?

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