Greetings from Sarasota

Greetings from the Hal McCoy Press Room at the lovely Ed Smith Stadium Complex.

So begins my blog. During spring training, it's going to be a lot like last year's diary. What it will be once the season starts remains to be seen.

Bernie Stowe, the clubhouse legend, opened the door and greeted me at the Ed. Bernie's sporting a goatee, a major violation of the club's old facial hair policy. "Marge is turning over in her grave," he said.

The other legend around here, Joe Nuxhall, is in Sarasota Memorial Hospital as you've likely heard by now. Bernie, PR Rob Butcher and Marty Brennaman all visited Nuxie this morning. They report he's in good spirits. He was doing gags and laughing. That's a good sign. Get well, Nuxie.

Spoke to Ken Griffey Jr. He was a little evasive about how he broke his hand. The only thing he said for sure is he didn't break it in motorcycle accident. He says he'll be ready to go when things start -- pending an examination by Dr. Tim Kremchek.

Homer Bailey arrived today. No, I haven't seen him throw yet. Most of the baseball activity was over when I got here at noon.

We've got to have a little weather talk here. A woman in front of me in line at McDonald's (I needed food quickly) was shivering in her heavy fleece jacket and saying how cold it was. The temperature on rented Monte Carlo read a bone-chilling 51 degrees. It think it was 52 in my kitchen this morning as I got ready to go airport.

Another big difference between Sarasota and Cincinnati: On my drive to ballpark at home, I don't pass a dog track or a Cheetah's, as I did on the way from the airport to the Ed. By the way, tonight's Service Personnel Night at Cheetah's. The track had a good crowd for the matinee. Haven't been to track here in a couple years. Last time, I went my friend, Mike, had a unfortunate misunderstanding with a track worker. But, as far as I know, we're free to come back.