Sunday, March 27, 2011

Batter Up....Hear that Call....The Time has Come for One and All....To Play Ball....


Last night Jess had his 7th outing for this years Spring Training! We played the Giants and sadly for me they had a split squad so Tim Lincecum went to the other game to throw instead of ours. I love to watch him throw. He is a freak (hence his nickname "The Freak") and I love to watch his technique over and over. Of course not as much as I love watching my husband's technique! To be honest I just have this thing in my mind where Tim Lincecum marries my sister. In my opinion he is perfect for her! Hes small and doesnt really care what anyone thinks of him and hes his own person. Just like my sister!  I want them to be together so bad. Yes, this is me (delusional) thinking and dreaming this up in my so called perfect world. Im sure he has an entourage of girls nightly and probably not your typical ONE woman man. So ultimately Im sure for my sisters health I dont really want him to be with her but the thought of it sure is nice!

Anywho, Jess threw the 8th inning and DOMINATED! He faced 4 batters and threw 10 pitches total. Seeing him so confident gives me chills. I dont care how he does as long as hes confident in himself. Its important to me he knows how awesome he is and I want him to believe it all day everyday. The batters he faced were all big leaguers except for one. That looks really good to the coaches so I know that had Jess all kinds of pumped up! My camera was being weird since it was a night game but here are the pictures that didnt come out blurry.









We decided to change our plans since we still dont know where we will be for the season. I originally was going to fly out to Columbus for the Exhibition Game/Ring Ceremony on Tuesday morning while Jess and the team flew out Tuesday night. Now I am flying out tomorrow to Dallas (in hopes that they make a decision within the next 24hrs), get our car and drive up for opening day if Jess makes the team. I have tried not to make any plans and just fly by the seat of my pants but since our team doesnt have their 25 man roster locked in, Jess decided that we should go ahead and do what is best for us. I hope and pray that we are not jumping the gun but hey you only live once! Right??

As my last couple of hours tick down on the clock I am reflecting on our past months here. I feel like this time in Arizona it was much more enjoyable. Last Spring Training Jess was miserable and that made me miserable because there was nothing I could do about it. Ive learned that you cant live trying to control your life or your path. Jess' path is my path and whether or not that path is windy, curvy, rocky or hellacious I have got to stand strong for him. I want to thank my husband for allowing me to experience this journey with him and bringing me into the crazy beautiful game. I am so blessed to be able to experience and grow from the things we go through. I am undoubtedly grateful for these experiences that have molded me into the person I am today. I feel like I am so strong and have so much passion for life now than I ever have. So whether or not my husband makes the 25 man roster out of Spring Training this year or if hes traded again or if hes in the minors or the majors I want him and yall to know how much all of this means to me. My heart is beaming right now with so much happiness and I owe it all to God for (despite my controlling ways) allowing my path in life to be directed to right where I am today. I love you all and I am thankful for all of yall as well. Some of yall I will see soon, the rest until next time....XOXO
Love,
E

Thursday, March 24, 2011

My Spring Training

Today I am going to share my view of Spring Training. I find it very appropriate since there is only 5 days left! For the last 6 or so weeks I have been blogging about stats, stadiums and when Jess will throw. So I want to take today and let you in on how I see and view Spring Training.

Spring Training for me is basically a bunch of (excuse my language) "bitch-slapping" and "weave pulling" but in grown men form. I am sure yall already know this but men are worse about gossiping than women are. Everyday someone has something catty to say about the other and it dominos from there. When I told Jess about my metaphoric example that I explained above his response was "It really is". Men are of course the most competitive creatures on earth by nature. Put them all in one clubhouse=a bunch of gossiping hens. Someone on the team always doesnt deserve a spot in the big leagues and someone is ALWAYS better than someone else. Of course when your husband is competing for a spot in your eyes you think he deserves THE spot. And yes I do think he deserves THE spot! I know he is young but he has worked very hard at getting his confidence back and I want them to give him a chance. Sadly for me I am not in control and I do not get to make the decisions....funny huh.

After spending last season in a sort of depressive state I refuse to let the management and the business side of baseball control my happiness again this year or any other year. Unfortunately for Jess and every other professional athlete it sometimes doesnt matter how well you perform. This sport (and Im not being biased) will take your soul. It will take you, eat you and poop you right out!-(this is something Ive experienced before) Its a constant battle everyday to remind yourself that no matter how well you perform you just might not get picked. It may be easier for you to relate in this way: Spring Training and the actual season is a constant cheerleading tryout. "Look at me, watch me, PICK ME!!!!" I feel for my husband and for his competition because in each and everyone of their eyes they deserve a spot. For me that is absolutely crushing to have to go through everyday. That is probably why again God made Jess the athlete and me the athlete's wife.

Do not get me wrong, please dont. I know Jess has the ultimate dream job but there is constant promotion and demotion in this line of work. You have to have tough skin and not take anything personal. (Me?!? Not take something PERSONAL?!?!?!?! Yeah freaking right! Just kidding!) But really you cant or you will lose yourself. In any circumstance you have to constantly remind yourself this is a very small setback compared to how things could be. A year ago I wouldnt be saying any of this. Jess and I both wouldnt have said that things could be worse because in our minds our lives were so over! Nothing could have been worse to us than what we were going through at the time. HAHA! Yeah that chapter of our lives can just be called selfishness! We can just tuck that chapter far far back behind the chapters called jr. college and things we did that we dont want to remember.

Baseball is the only sport that has levels you have to get through before you reach the "Big Show". All the other sports you go and try out and you make it to the NFL, NBA or MLS or you dont. While in baseball you spend years trying to get to the MLB. I think what has helped me deal with this line of work is the plain, simple truth that God is in control. Im not, Jess isnt, you reading this blog arent....Just God. He has it all planned and he knows what is right and what is best for Jess. For me that is so calming and peaceful. That brings true true calmness to my heart and soul. God would never hurt us and when he wants Jess in the big leagues he will be there. If he doesnt ever want him there and Jess has a career in the minors that is fine. You know why? Because whatever he has planned is better for us than what we want or have planned for ourselves. I truly believe this and believing this gives me everything I need and fulfills me.

Like I said there are only 5 days left and the roster still hasnt been set. No decisions have been made. We have no idea where we are going to be. We dont have a place to live in Cleveland or Columbus and to be honest Im not worried about it. I know its going to all fall into place. So for now Im going to fly by the seat of my pants these last 5 days.

Jess throws tomorrow against the Brewers and I cant wait! Pictures to come afterwards! Happy Thursday!
Love,
E

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Arizona Diamondbacks!!!!!

I know I say this a lot but this time I mean it. The Arizona Diamondbacks have the most UNBELIEVABLE Spring Training Facility. They share their complex with the Colorado Rockies and this Facility is brand spanking new! It is the most delicious smelling complex Ive been in this year, let alone my entire life. Jess even said he smelt something tasty while sitting in the bullpen. They had so many decadent food choices. I was so relieved that I had already had lunch because It would have taken me the whole entire game to decide on what I wanted. They had your normal ballpark food but then they had all these local vendors. Little gourmet coffee stands, chocolate covered fruit, different types of kettle corn, crazy looking sandwiches and believe me the list goes on and on! Just a few days ago I had decided that the Rangers/Royals facility was the most delicious one but not after experiencing this place today! Jess and I are in love with that place! I might also add that the game today was SOLD OUT! 11,794 people attended the game and out of all seats there mine was covered in BIRD POO! Yes, I said it bird crap! When I saw it....welll....Im not going to even repeat what went through my mind! I just scooted down a couple of seats because I was not putting my butt in bird poo! I was worried that since the game was sold out someone would ask me to move out of their seat and into my own but they never did. Two men just sat right down, one of them in bird poo and the other not but didnt even seem worried about it. Not me! No way Jose!

Jess came in for the 7th inning. He only had one hit off of him! He did so good again! Im so happy for him! He looks so confident out there and with the time on the clock ticking down for Spring Training to be over he showed no signs of being overwhelmed. I salute him for that because I know that what he does on a daily basis can definitely being trying on a person. He has shown no sign of being discouraged and to me that is extremely admirable.

There were so many people there I couldnt get a good picture of the Stadium





A little blurry but this is Jess on the jumbo tron

First Batter Willie Bloomquist!


Lineup!


 Juan Miranda



This is not the same pic as above, they are just really really similar 

Jess wont pitch today so probably tomorrow. 6 more days! Ahhhh!!!!! So exciting! Hope yall have a great day! Thank you for reading!
Love,
E

Sunday, March 20, 2011

8 Days Left!

We are down to wire now! There are only 8 days left in Spring Training and I have a feeling those 8 days are going to be a blur! Jess and I really had a good time despite his hate for the state of Arizona. We really enjoyed our time here this year. I am so excited for games to start and to get this season rolling! April is an exciting month because Jess turns 25 and Im so excited for him! Im big on birthdays because growing up my parents always made a big deal out of them so I just absolutely love it when its someone's birthday, especially Jess' birthday!

Ive begun the apartment hunt for the season. I really dont do the hunting I just tell my mom names of places and she does the hunting and the finding so I cant take any credit. Yall all know my husband is a minimalist and very "no nonsense" (He sounds scary when I put it that way) so he prefers to stay right by the field. Which is fine and I agree BUT to live right next to the field its literally an arm and 2 legs not 1. We have an idea of what it may cost but not a for sure number so hopefully after my mom gets more information we will be pleasantly surprised and not brutally shocked! After moving in and out several times I do not like to live anywhere that is not fully furnished and doesnt have all utilities and washer/dryer included. You have no idea how much of a hassle it is to get utilities and cable turned on let alone turned off when its time to head out! I think its easier to get a hold of Osama Bin Laden than get all of that done for 6 months or less. I cant complain though, doing stuff like that is normalcy to me now. I used to be so shy and sheltered I would never do the things that I do now. I used to hate being by myself and now I can do pretty much anything alone. Im so thankful for what the baseball life has taught me because I feel so independent and strong! Dont get it twisted though I cant sleep without Jess when he's gone and I look behind all the doors, under the bed, in the closet and in the bath tub before I go to bed when he's on the road but I can hack it by myself :)

Dara finally sent me the pictures from our Hiking adventure last week so here they are as promised!

From Left: Melanie Perez, Jackie Laffey, Logan Germano and ME!

From Left: Melanie Perez, Logan Germano, Me and Dara LaPorta

Stay tuned for pictures from Jess' outing tomorrow! I hope yall all enjoyed yalls weekend!
Love,
E

L.A. Angels!

I want to start off by saying that I am sorry that I havent posted in a week! This week was Spring Break, Brooke came to visit and I had a big test due. So needless to say I was a little busy! Jess was back up all week and the week also included an off day so there wasnt much movement on the pitching front. Today that all changed! We played the L.A. Angels in their Spring Training Facility in Tempe. The game was completely packed! There was well over 6,000 fans there. It was such an awesome environment! Jess came in for a 1/3 of an inning in the 4th for Justin Masterson. He faced 2 batters in that inning, one of them was Bobby Abreu and the other was Tori Hunter! Big time players and the bulk of their batting order!  Jess walked Abreu and up next was Hunter who flyed out to end the inning. He then came back out for the 5th and had 3 up 3 down! He faced 5 batters over an inning and a third! He did a fantastic job! I think I was glowing I was so proud! I had the privilege of sitting next to Jack Hannahan's dad during the game and we were cheering and high-fiving! It was definitely a fun game!

Warming up in their tiny bullpen

 Sold Out Crowd!


Still warming up!


He's In!





First Batter....Bobby Abreu


Second Batter....Tori Hunter



Next Inning, First Batter....Vernon Wells!

Second Batter....Erick Aybar!!!!!

Third Batter....Bobby Wilson

Jess was very pleased with his outing and he should be! Im very proud of my husbands accomplishments this Spring Training and I hope he is too! He is scheduled to throw again tomorrow against the Royals in Surprise. Its supposed to be rainy and cold but hopefully it wont be. I hope everyone that had Spring Break this past week had a good one!
Love,
E

Sunday, March 13, 2011

PBR!

The PBR has finally made it to Arizona! Jess' agent Bobby so kindly got us tickets because he used to have a couple of "bucking bulls" and still has some "connections" in the bull riding world. He had gotten us 4 tickets so we asked Josh Tomlin and his wife if they wanted to join us. They did and we were off! But not without stopping for dinner first. We went to the ever so fancy chick fil a and I dont know if yall have ever heard me say this or not but I LOVE THAT PLACE. So I was extremely happy when we got there. The bull riding started at 6:50 so we had to have an early dinner and get on our way because the arena it was at was about 20 minutes away. We met another player Beau Mills, and his wife Alicia there and then found our seats. Beau and his dad bought 2 "bucking bulls" this past off season and knew some people that were there behind the scenes so we got to go up above the "chutes" and watch for a bit. It was definitely a good time. Jess and Beau were even on TV, Beau's brother in law paused it on his TV and sent him a pic of them. It was so funny, they looked like 2 little boys completely mesmerized by what they were seeing. While we were up in the "chutes" Josh's wife Brittney came over to me and said "Hey look to your left, thats the Singer Jewels husband!" I cautiously and slowly looked in that direction and sure enough! It was Ty Murray! He is a little bitty thing, but I guess most bull riders are. He wasnt riding or anything he was just commentating. I found another name for one of our children....Pistol, yes as in a gun. Be on the look out for Pistol Todd, hes got a mean cutter and quick with his feet! I got Pistol from one of the bull riders there, he was from Burleson Texas and his name was Pistol Robinson. His parents are genius'!










Above the chutes




The rodeo was so much fun! Yall should really go if you have never been. Its not just a bunch of cowboys kicking dirt and spitting. I promise you will have a good time. Brooke is in for the week so we plan to let the good times roll. Hope yall enjoy Spring Break this week if you have it! 
Love,
E