When I woke up Sunday Morning, I truly felt that Baseball Was Back!
It didn’t matter that the most recent lockout amounted to nothing despite the bickering back and forth that led to great content for 99 days.
In the end, there would be a shorter Spring Training and a 162 Game Schedule was going to take place.
Despite doing podcasts and writing stories, today was a different feeling because now I was attending my first Spring Training game since 2020, pre-pandemic.
That game was a Cactus League Contest between the Milwaukee Brewers facing the Los Angeles Dodgers in Glendale, AZ at Camelback Ranch.
Back then, I didn’t know how to record a video and the South Florida Tribune was in its infancy stages. We didn’t have an account with the MLB Credentialing System.
I started covering the Marlins during the Summer of 2020 and Zoom Calls were the only access we had with the team.
It was a fun experience learning new technology, but there were other things I had to get used to as there were no exclusive interviews.
Everyone had to use the raise your hand function to ask a question.
It was harder to get feature stories and everyone shared the same quotes to compile their own stories.
That year, was my first covering the Miami Marlins and I was learning a new team on the fly.
This was my first interaction with Marlins Manager Don Mattingly, who guided the team to the MLB Playoffs with a 31-29 record.
Now in my third season, I’m much more familiar with the club and some of the media members.
One thing hasn’t changed! I still believe that Mattingly belongs in the Hall of Fame!
Perhaps, I’ll be alive to see this!
Before the Marlins Game vs. the Houston Astros on 3/25, I had a chance to address the manager about the Universal DH, Shortened Spring Training, getting used to some of his new players, the rosters being expanded until May 1 and his team’s progress so far.
During the off-season, the Marlins were wheeling and dealing.
Miami made three trades before December 1, acquiring Gold Glove Catcher Jacob Stallings from Pittsburgh, 2022 All-Star Joey Wendle, and reliever Louis Head in separate deals with Tampa Bay. Miami also signed OF Avisail Garcia to a four-year contract and agreed to extensions with RHP Sandy Alcantara and INF Miguel Rojas.
I’m sure that you’re going to enjoy what the manager said about these subjects.
The Houston Astros defeated the Miami Marlins 4-3 in front of 3,942 fans at Roger Dean Stadium.
Miami left-handed starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo, formerly of Marjory Stoneman Douglas, had a solid performance by pitching four innings, giving up five hits, one run, but it wasn’t earned, with five strikeouts and one walk. He left the game leading 3-1.
The Astros won the game in the top of the sixth as Yuli Gurriel hit a three-run homer off of Richard Bleier.
Former Marlins outfielder Lewis Brinson, who was non-tendered by the club on November 30, 2021, signed a Minor League Deal with the Astros on March 12, 2022. He had two plate appearances and did get a hit.
I did speak with two Marlins Communication members and no final decision has been made whether there will be Zoom Calls this year for the media since there will be more traveling with the team.
It was great being Back In The Spring Training Saddle.
Scott Morganroth can be reached at [email protected] and his broadcasts can be seen on the South Florida Tribune You Tube Channel. There is no cost to subscribe and also follow him on Twitter @TribuneSouth.
