Dodgertown is closed, but is still being maintained. I visited Dodgertown on 26 Feb 2009, the grass was cut, sprinklers were running, but noone was there playing baseball. I was surprised that the golf course had been groomed, it had been over grown in years past. There were "For Sale" signs in the parking areas, and the gates were closed and locked.

It was sad, as I said my final goodby to Dodgertown, my favorite Spring Training site.

This is the fourth consecutive year I have made the trip to Florida for Spring Training. I will miss the close proximity of the players at Dodgertown, however there is still the excitement of getting autographs each day from the players.

It will be difficult at Champions, because the Braves are not as open to the public as the Dodgers were.  Goal number one: get Bobby Cox to sign a ball. As you know, I focus on the players of the past, who are now coaching. I will ask a new player if the opportunity presents itself. 

The Braves are playing two International Teams (Venezuela and Panama), the Yankees, The Phillies, and Houston. There will be great players and coaches on all of these teams to try and get autographs from.

I do have box seat tickets for Team USA at Philadelphia on the 5th of March, so I'm going to have to make a choice of which game I want to see that day (Yea right!!) Team USA!!!

The Baltimore Orioles played the Florida Marlins on 27 Feb 2009. I roamed the back fields starting at 9:30 am, they don't let you in before then. The Marlins were all about business and it was tough to get someone to stop and sign an autograph.

The Stadium (Roger Dean in Jupiter), opened at 11:30 am, and I went down and waited for the players to come by the bleachers.

I saw my friend John Lindsey, and we talked for a minute, took a picture, and he signed a ball for me.

AUTOGRAPHS:  ORIOLES: Luke Scott, Chris Gomez, Dave Jauss

MARLINS: Gaby Sanchez, Tim Wood, Andy Fox, John Raynor, Fredi Gonzalez (MGR), Tony Perez (HOF), John Lindsey, Jay Gibbons, Matt Lindstrom, Dallas Trahern, Chris Volstad, Emilio Bonifacio

I also met a former player who works at Roger Dean, J W Porter and he signed a ball for me. My wife got Chris Gomez to sign a ball by the Orioles dugout.

The Cardinals back fields open at the same time (9:30 am) as the Marlins did, however, you don't get as close to the players on the Cardinals side.

I stayed back and took some pictures for a while. Saw Red Sch. and Dennis Martinez.

When The Stadium opened at 11:30 am, I went in and tried to get some of the Nationals to come over. I gave up and camped done in the bull pen of the Cardinals. What a great move, Dennis Martinez and Bob Gibson both signed for me. Lou Brock came by, didn't stop to sign by where I was standing.

My wife got Jesus Flores, Terrell Young, and Koby Casto to sign from the Nationals. I also got Terrell Young to sign a ball. All in all, not a bad day.

NATIONALS: Jesus Flores, Koby Casto, Terrell Young

CARDINALS: Bob Gibson, Dennis Martinez

The Yankees played the Braves at Champions Stadium (Disney-Wide World of Sports). Great Day!! Hall of Fame all over the place, Yogi Berra and Reggie Jackson came out and signed autographs for everyone.

Several Yankees signed autographs for us today.

Team USA played the Phillies today at Clearwater, Florida. It was a great day for pictures of the Team USA. No Autographs for us on this day.

We saw Chipper Jones hit a homerun, Shane Victorino, Jimmy Rollins, Derek Jeter and many other great stars play.

The Astros played the Braves at Champions today. Hall of Fame Announcer Milo Hamilton (Holy Toledo) signed autographs for us. Several Astros also signed, including Cecil Cooper, the Manager.

This was the last game we went to for this Spring Training. It was a great end to the 2009 Spring Training trip.

See the picture of Milo Hamilton and former Braves Manager Jimmy Williams.