Marlins at Mets, Port St. Lucie, FL

This was one of if not the last Spring Training game for both teams. The stadium was very nice and larger than most other Spring Training parks. Parking was $5 and tickets were $12-30. It was not sold out but it was about 70% full (about 5,500).

The pictures are here. They include some shots from Ft. Pierce Inlet and Vero Beach.

Marlins ace Josh Johnson started the game and seemed to be mostly just working on locating his fastball. I didn't see any breaking pitches. This is likely because he didn't want to show a divisional rival too much before the season. This resulted in him giving up some homeruns to David Wright and Jason Bay. Closer Leo Nuñez was effective in relief but the Marlins still lost 3-5.

Marlins at Nationals, Viera, FL

I was able to see the Marlins in Viera, FL for a second time this Spring. The pictures are here. There aren't a lot of game pictures and I didn't put any stadium pics because they have been posted before. There are some shots of the Marlins players in street clothes signing autographs after the game. It was another beautiful Spring day in Florida. The Marlins won 5-3.

Redsox at Astros, Kissimmee, FL

I was able to catch the Redsox vs Astros in Kissimmee, FL. Again the game was sold out due to the Redsox being there. I managed to find a ticket behind the Astros dugout for $35. Parking was $5.

Again, David Ortiz did not make the trip. This was a split squad game. Varitek, Youkilis, Ellsbury, and Pedroia were there though.

Ace Roy Oswalt started for the Astros and shut down the Redsox. The final score was 3-0 in favor of the Astros.Dustin Pedroia, 2007 AL Rookie of the Year, 2008 AL MVP, 2009 Silver Slugger and Gold Glove winner for 2B.
Very basic scoreboard at Osceola County Stadium. Astros rookie shortstop Tommy Manzella.

Team captain and now backup catcher, Jason Varitek.

Kevin Youkilis' funky batting stance.

Power hitting LF Carlos Lee 'El Caballo' (left) and 2009 NL Gold Glove CF Michael Bourn (right).
Redsox closer Jonathan Papelbon.
Carlos Lee at bat. With Terry Francona (manager) and Dave Magadan (hitting coach) to the right.

Redsox at Marlins, Jupiter, FL

The second Spring Training game that I got to see this year was in Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, FL. The Marlins and Cardinals share the grounds for Spring Training which are located on the campus of Florida Atlantic University. The Redsox won 9-0 behind a solid pitching performance by Tim Wakefield.

I was looking forward to seeing David Ortiz, but he did not make the trip. Pedroia, Ellsbury, Lowell, and Youkilis were there though. I also saw Bill Hall and Jeremy Hermida in their new Redsox uniforms.

Anibal Sanchez had a rough outing for the Marlins. Renyel Pinto followed him with a poor performance from the bullpen.

Due to it being a Redsox game, it was sold out and the traffic was a bit crazy. But the stadium was beautiful.The place was packed with Redsox fans.

I got lucky and found a fan selling a ticket for $10 just before the game. Even more lucky, it was right behind home plate! Parking was either $5 or $7.

Hanley Ramirez, 2010 NL Batting Champion. Formerly drafted and developed by the Redsox.

Power hitting 2B Dan Uggla.
Primary Marlins Spring Training building, listing their 1997 and 2003 World Titles.
After the game, I took a drive down to Delray Beach and Boca Raton. Nice rainbow here at Delray Beach.
Beach report, rainbow, and chairs to relax in. There aren't many public beaches this far south in FL, but this is one of them.
Unmanned lifeguard station at Delray Beach.