Long Time No Talk...

So we have a lot of catching up to do...the last time we talked I had 2 weeks left of Extended Spring Training!

I finished Extended strong and from Extended Spring Training, I went to Vancouver.  It was an extremely long travel day from Florida to Vancouver!  It is the Short A team for the Blue Jays and is in one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen.  Everybody had been telling me how beautiful it was and they couldn't have been more right.  The city was so much fun with a lively downtown where all the guys could go hang out and get away from the baseball part of our lives.  I don't know if Vancouver was so much fun because of the group of guys I was with or what, but it was the coolest city I've ever been to.  It also shocked me that a person could look up and see the white snowy mountain tops, but then look down and see a beautiful beach!  Definitely one of the coolest sites a person can see!  I absolutely recommend everybody go visit Vancouver if possible...its well worth it!  The only downers of the city was how expensive it was and the cell phone service...I became accustomed to it after a few weeks, but it definitely took some getting used to.  I couldn't make phone calls or receive phone calls while I was in Canada and had to wait until we crossed back over the border to make a call!

I was told Vancouver was a big league city with a minor league team...that's the truth!  The management for the Vancouver Canadians were on top of their game to say the least.  They had everything covered and ready for us when we arrived.  They made the adjustment so easy for us...all we had to do was play baseball!  They put the players up with host families...I was lucky and was put with a host family about a 10 minute bike ride from the park(I rode my bike everyday until the bike broke while I was going UP a hill...Yes I had to walk beside my bike as I pushed it the remaining way to the field...it took 30 minutes to walk the rest of the way).  There were some guys that were 45 minutes from the park!  My host family was so nice...they fed us every night and were very supportive and understanding of what my roommate and I were going through.  My roommate was a very close friend that was with me in Bluefield last year,  John Lucas, so that made it easier as well.  It gave me somebody to hang out with every night after we got home from the field.

The Stadium wasn't the nicest in the league, but damn the fans sure made it the best to play at!  Playing in front of 6,000 a night doesn't sound like much, but they make it sound like there are 60,000!  That stadium was ROCKING on most nights and was just an adrenaline rush to be there, much less pitch there!  The team is currently making a push for the playoffs and I absolutely hope they make them and win the championship for the SECOND year in a row because everybody associate with the Vancouver Canadians deserves it...the fans, the management, the host families, everybody!

I was pitching pretty well, just trying to help the team win whenever I got the ball.  All I wanted to do was win...at whatever costs.  Toward the end of July, I was called up to the Lansing Lugnuts.  I left very early in the morning so I had to say goodbye to all my teammates in Vancouver after the game.  I would be lying if I said I didn't miss them because they all went through Extended with me and we had been together all day everyday for several months.  It was hard to say goodbye, but I know I will see them all in the future.  I can't thank the coaching staff in Vancouver enough.  They all were such great managers and people!  I learned so much from them and will keep those lessons close.

Once I got to Lansing, it was an extremely hectic day.  I arrived in Lansing at around 5 pm and went straight to the field...but the airlines lost my luggage so all I had was my backpack that I carried on.  I didn't get the rest of my luggage until after the game that night...thankfully!  Once I got to the park, I introduced myself to the coaching staff and was given my uniform.  I was given number 3...not by choice!  The entire coaching staff are all nice and very helpful.  I was put up in a hotel for a couple nights until I could find a living arrangement.  I ended up moving in with a host family that 2 other guys live at as well.  One guy got here the same time I did from Dunedin.  The other has been here all year, but we were good friends last year while he was in Bluefield with me.  This host family is extremely nice as well...they are an older couple, but love to have us around.  They don't charge us a dime and always keep the house stocked with food, drinks, anything we need.

I knew most of the guys on the team before I got here just from being in mini camp last year in Florida and in Bluefield last year so the adjustment wasn't that bad.  I was also excited to be in Lansing because it was closer to home and the next road trip we were going on was to Dayton...15 minutes from my house!  I can't even begin to explain how excited I was to go to Dayton.  I remember going to a Dayton Dragons game when I was little and watching Adam Dunn and Austin Kearns play as they made their way to the big leagues.  It was so good to see my friends, family, and everybody in Dayton.  My best friend Jeff King, his girlfriend Kim (just admit it you two...) and Jon Edgington came out one night with my High School coaches, all my cousins came out one night, my pitching coach from college came out one night and of course my family was there every night.  I was so happy to see everybody...it still makes me happy talking about it!  I even got to pitch in front of some of them and get the win!

I was shown first hand at how much better the competition in Lansing is compared to Vancouver real quick.  The hitters are better at hitting mistakes and will exploit your flaws.  Obviously, that will be the case the higher you go up because everybody gets better!  So far I have done pretty well though...I have been having some bad luck the past couple outings, but I'm going to push through it and prevail just like I always have...it's all about Selling Out to the Process and getting better every time out!  Hopefully the team and I can finish the season strong and win a ring here in September!  That would be awesome to get 2 rings in one year...Vancouver and Lansing!

I know I forgot something, but there has been so much going on in the past few months, its been crazy! I wouldn't change it for the world though!  Hope all you guys are doing well!  I will write more often now that I have wi-fi!

Peace Homies!

P.S. - I'm waiting on some exciting news that I should know by the end of the month!  I may have the opportunity to play for Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic qualifier in Jupiter, Florida.  Keep your fingers crossed!

2 Weeks to go...

It's been just over 10 days since the last post...a whole lot of the same has been going on.  We are still playing games day in and day out.  Even though it is Memorial Day weekend, I still have to go to work tomorrow morning.  I can't really complain though because my work environment is the baseball field whereas some people's work environment is in a little crammed cubicle...No Thanks!

Even though the games are monotonous and long at times, it has been a lot of fun watching Vlad Guerrero play in the games.  He has hit a couple of bombs that were unbelievable.  He even made a play in left field that you couldn't help but laugh at.  He misplayed a routine ground ball right at him and it rolled all the way to the fence.  He then jogged after it as if he knew the runner was going to try to stretch it into a triple.  Vlad picked up the ball, no crow hop and heaved it on a straight line to the third baseman, hitting him in the chest.  The third baseman was waiting for the runner just smiling.

I have also seen Jim Thome play in a couple of games for the Phillies.  I'm not sure what he is rehabbing, but he looks fine to me!  He has roped a few double to the right center gap.  Along with Jim Thome, when we were at the Phillies complex playing, I got to watch Ryan Howard take batting practice.  All I can say is WOW...the dude is way bigger than any human should be.  He has arms of an NFL linebacker and is as tall as a lineman.  He has a big league body...go figure...hopefully I'll get to face him here soon!

This past week, I also had the worst outing I have had this spring.  It's like I forgot where the strike zone was and when I did find the strike zone, they slapped it into right field.  The only way to look at it is to not look at it at all...move on and get it done next time!   The following day, I went back to work and got back on track.

I want to congratulate Wyoming High School on what they accomplished this season.  My little brother Max, was on the team and I'm glad he was able to go out strong.  I want to put into perspective how good of a season he had because I know he won't be given credit for it due to being at a small school...how many kids in the state of Ohio hit over .500? AND it's the second season in a row he has done so!  This season he also lead his team to the Regional Final!  On top of that, he is either number one or two ALL TIME in career hits at Wyoming.  The kid deserves so much more respect than what he is given.  Max will now take his talents to Furman University.  An interesting fact...the last three times Wyoming has gotten to the district finals, in the State Tournament, a Kadish has been pitching.

Hopefully you all have a good upcoming week and have a good Memorial Day!  Remember what Memorial Day is all about...Words cannot express the gratitude we owe to the ones that have sacrificed their lives for this country.  

Peace Homies!

Mother's Day

Its been a couple weeks since I last posted, but not much has changed.  The only thing that's really changed is my throwing schedule.  I went from throwing Monday and Thursdays against the Pirates and Yankees to throwing Tuesday and Fridays against the Pirates and Phillies.  Sometimes there are so many pitchers that have to throw, they set up a game between ourselves so everybody can get their work in.  Last week, while we were playing the Yankees, Russell Branyan actually played in the game! Talk about a big guy...this guy was huge!  He looked more like a football player than baseball!  I'm still waiting for Chase Utley and Ryan Howard to start their rehab assignments.  Hopefully I get to pitch against them!

The Blue Jays signed Vlad Guerrero this past week.  Supposedly he is to be in on Monday, but we'll see.  I can't wait to see him hit and play in person!  I want to pitch against him too!  I feel like he is one of those hitters you face that you have to throw everything you have been taught about pitching down in the zone and throwing good strikes out the window.  The man is known for hitting bad pitches!  I remember seeing a highlight of him hitting a home run off a pitch that bounced before the plate!  I'm really excited to see him.

Off the field, everybody has just been hanging out.  Last night, some of the guys grilled burgers and some chicken and hung out.  It was definitely needed to wind down after a long week.  My roommate and I are actually going to go to the store today so we can partake in the grilling next time.  We're going to look for a George Forman or something along those lines.  It was a lot of fun just hanging out and relaxing with everybody.

Today is obviously Mother's Day and I can't thank my mom enough for what she does.  She is the best mother anybody could ask for!  Although I cannot spend the day with her, I sent her a bouquet of flowers.  Hopefully, the florist made them look good!  Thank you for everything you do mom!  I love and miss you!

Before my roommate gets back, I'm going to grab a bite to eat! I'm thinking some Panera...you can never go wrong with Panera...a nice relaxing meal with good vibes!

Peace in the middle east!

Another Week Down...

This past week was a very productive week.  I feel my mechanics and everything are coming together and it's all beginning to click.  I obviously still have more to work on, but I am pleased with the progress I made this past week.  It's a continual process I'll keep working on... 

The weeks schedule was the same as every other weeks schedule...I have always heard the days will start running together and I'll lose track of what day it is, but it hasn't happened yet.  If you know me, you know I like to have a routine and I like to stick to my routine as best as possible(even though I'm not diagnosed OCD/ADD, I definitely am).  

I've been trying to learn spanish and it's gotten a little better, but not much.  Yesterday I watched a Dominican make Pica durro (I'm not sure on the spelling).  It's the type of tobacco they chew in the Dominican and supposedly it makes the dip here look like child's play.  It was actually fun to watch and I enjoy hanging out with some of the Dominicans.  Some of them ask me to teach them english so I've been trying to help, but I still find myself trying to speak broken english to communicate with them.  One of them asked a buddy of mine and me to update his facebook status to say he loves and misses his family, but he is trying to make everything better for them and he thanks them for their support of what he is doing.  It surprised me when he had us do that and it made me think how hard it must be for them.  They speak little to no english, they are in an entirely different country, they have very little communication with their family and friends back home, and most of their families are living meal to meal.  I can't imagine what it would be like and how hard it would be...

Today was our off day so everybody hung out last night by the pool at our hotel and today a couple of us went to the beach to hang out and relax.  It was a lot of fun and the people watching was at an all time high at the beach!  I even got rid of some of my farmer's tan...my back is burnt; now I just have to work on the front side! 

Tomorrow I'm back on the bump against the Pirates!  I can't complain that my "going to the office" is going to the ball park...hard life I live...

I'm out like a fat kid in dodgeball...Peace Homies!

Week 2...The Sexy Farmer's Tan...

The days are monotonous, long and hot, but everybody has the same goal...to get better.  Everyday consists of the same routine in the morning practices with games in the afternoons.  There is so much talent down here its ridiculous.  The Blue Jays organization is absolutely loaded with talent throughout the minor leagues.  We are definitely a team that will not only make an impact within the next 3 years, but for years after that as well.  I firmly believe with the talent down here in extended, we could hold our own in a low-A league...no doubt about it.  There are over 100 kids down here, compared to other organizations having around 70!  Although the games are long, its fun to watch everybody play.

The past couple days while shagging Batting Practice, I've tried to make friends with the Dominicans/Venezuelans.  In order to make friends, there has to be some line of communication and my spanish is terrible, but so is their english.  They have english class at night back at the hotel, but we don't have spanish class.  I wish I could speak spanish fluently; it would make things much easier...not necessarily to talk to them, but to know more of what they are saying.  

Last Monday I threw a live Batting Practice before throwing in a real game on Thursday and in an inter squad this past Monday.  The outing was vs. the Yankees and went very well.  I was very pleased with everything, but the one in the inter squad...not so much.  I was very inconsistent and all over the place with everything.  Nothing felt right, but I guess everybody has those kind of days.  The good thing is I knew what I was doing and know what I have to work on.  I'll bounce back next time...it's a process.  I throw again this Thursday (tomorrow) vs. the Yankees again.

Everybody will be glad to know, I've been working on my farmer's tan everyday!  My forearms, back of the neck, and ears are BURNT...but I can't say that so much about the rest of my body.  It looks like I took a light brown marker and colored on myself.  Last Saturday, I went to the beach hoping to even it out a little bit, but I forgot it wouldn't turn tan right away...instead bright red!  So now I have tan forearms, ears, and neck...but burnt red shoulders, back, and upper arms.  The beach was a lot of fun though.  It was good to hang out with the guys and get out of the hotel, away from the little radius I've been stuck to.  I went into the Dick's Sporting Goods right next to the hotel the other day to waste some time after dinner and a girl working there asked if I was going to buy a pair of shoes this time rather than just look at them...needless to say I'll be staying away from going in there for awhile.  Talk about awkward and a huge buzz kill...

I'll try and post again this Sunday...until then...you guys stay classy...

Respect!

Getting Back in the Swing of Things...

Alright, the first week is in the books!  It went pretty well and went I had figured it would.  Physicals were early Wednesday morning followed by a workout.  Thursday, Friday, and Saturday were all full team workouts as well with an inter-squad game played Saturday for the guys that have been here since the beginning of full Spring Training.  Games against other teams start this week!

The physicals went well with the exception of one minor part....giving blood!  I don't have an issue with needles or giving blood, but when the woman who is doing it gives me the feeling she's trying to poke the needle through the other side of my arm, we could have some problems!  I think I could have done it better myself than she did.  I could feel the needle go through my vein, much further in than it had to be!  It felt like the needle was pushing into the bone!  After what felt like an eternity, she finally pulled the needle out and put a bandage on it, but right away I could see something was not right.  The vein had swelled to about the size of a gumball!  That's when I knew I was going to have a good bruise the following day.  The bruise is STILL there and today it looks worse than yesterday!  The entire area around my elbow on my left arm is black/purple/yellow.  Luckily I was not the only one with a complaint...hopefully that woman is not asked back to draw blood again!  Everybody was complaining about how bad it hurt.

After the physical, we had a light workout and some of us threw a bullpen.  We first went and stretched, then did the throwing program, went over bunt defenses and then threw our bullpens.  I was one of the one's to throw a bullpen and was glad to.  I was ready to go!  The bullpen went well...but it felt weird throwing to a catcher rather than a net!  The first bullpen was just fastball/changeup.  I threw another bullpen on Friday and mixed in all three pitches.  Although it was not as good as the first one, one of the positives of the bullpen was my slider.  Tomorrow (Monday), I get to throw against hitters and I am PUMPED!  I'm ready to start carving some hitters up!  Then Thursday, I will throw in a game!

We play games against the Phillies, Yankees, and Pirates.  I would love to see Andy Petitte throw for the Yankees, but I would also love to see us beat him!  The games will be played everyday...I think.  I'm not exactly sure; I just show up when they tell me to and get my work in!

Off the field, nothing much has been going on.  I've been hanging out with Les (the roommate) and a couple other guys.  Around the hotel, we have a huge mall, movie theater, a few restaurants, and other stores.  I'm kind of restricted to where I can go due to not having a car, but I will make do.  The beach is only about a 15 minute drive away and I'm sure we can find somebody to give us a ride there.  I think going to the beach is going to be our new Sunday activity because Sundays are our off days.  Today was our first off day, but there was no beach.  Instead, Les and I went and got a good long toss in (350+ feet).  And yes, I couldn't get away from the game for a day...that't why I love it!  We also had the idea of playing golf on Sunday mornings. We were thinking of playing a 2 man scramble and the losers have to buy dinner for the winners (I better win, or else...).  Being as competitive as I am, I won't except losing!

This 6 a.m. wakeup call will come quick so its time to get ready for bed!  Until next Sunday night....

PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST!

Smell Ya Late Cincinnati...

Hey everybody,  it's been awhile since I've blogged, but I figured I'd save you the pain of reading the same post over and over again.  I've been doing the same thing everyday, all day pretty much.  For some reason, baseball players like to have their routines for everything and I am no different.  A quick rundown of what my day this off season consisted of...I'd wake up at 8 eat some breakfast, then head to the gym and train for a few hours, after I was done, I would then go throw and get my work in (for the last month I have been throwing into a Lacrosse net...).  I would usually be done with everything around 4 everyday then come home and watch MLB Network (best channel on TV).

Right now, I'm sitting at the gate in the airport waiting for my flight.  My flight does not leave until 11:30, but considering the debacle that went down last year when I was trying to get to my flight (if you haven't read about it, you will get a good laugh out of what happened! It's one of the very first posts I had), I figured I would make sure I was early!  I also drove my self, so I got to decide the time I left my house...(my Dad made me late last year). I also made sure the bag I checked was under the limit...last year I think it was DOUBLE the weight limit!  Another plus to getting to the airport early....PEOPLE WATCHING! There's nothing better than people watching...if you know me...you know I love people watching.  I guess you could list it up there as one of my favorite hobbies, but it should be one of everybody's favorite hobbies...there's no telling what you'll see!

I will arrive in Tampa, Fl at 1:30.  My buddy lands at 1:00 and he's supposed to wait for me so we can ride the shuttle over to the hotel together, but I guess we'll see if he remembers when I get down there.  By the way, he also has a blog...it's called Les is More Diamond Diaries (his name is Les).  To be quite honest with you, I've never looked at the blog, but go ahead and check it out for yourself!  Although his name is Les,  I call him Chocolate Moose!  Les is a good dude though...one of the guys I became really close with last year in Bluefield.  He loves his video games and I've seen him throw a few temper tantrums...let me tell you, they remind me of a 4 year old when his mommy wouldn't give him ice cream for breakfast...throwing punches at the couch, kicking the base board, slamming back into the cushion, and there may have been a few expletives thrown around as well...OUTRAGEOUS!

I can't wait to get to Florida and start playing.  I have been chomping at the bit for months now and it's finally time to get this show on the road.  I have prepared and worked harder than I have ever worked in my life for anything and I am confident that nobody has outworked me.  I have put in the work and I know it will all pay off.  I can't wait to throw to another person instead of a net, or throw to a catcher, or even face hitters (they're screwed, I won't lie).  All I know is that tomorrow morning we have physicals bright and early at 6:30 a.m. followed by the first workout of Extended Spring Training.  I'm interested to see what it consists of, but I'm thinking it will be somewhat like it was when I was down there last year for mini camp.

I wanted to thank a couple people as well.  I have been living at home since Christmas and have been working out at Moeller High School (home of Ken Griffey Junior and HOF Barry Larkin).  I can't even begin to explain how helpful and courteous the coaches over there have been.  They have opened their arms and welcomed me.  They have let me use all of their facilities to workout and throw and run and everything.  WIthout them I truly don't know what I would have done.  I also want to thank Scott Humes and Mike Maundrell.  They are two of my coaches from my High School days and I still try to work with them anytime possible.  I learned so much this offseason because of these two.  I am extremely thankful to all the coaches at Moeller, Scott Humes, and Mike Maundrell...Thanks guys!

If any of you are down around the Tampa area, don't be afraid to get ahold of me!  If you don't have my number, get ahold of me on Twitter...I'm all over Twitter. My handle (username) is @thebearjew36.  Yes, I am The Bearjew...the one and only!  If you don't get the pun...you need to watch the movie Inglorious Bastards...

(I got distracted for a good 10 minutes because there was a young man that sat a few seats over from me blasting and I mean BLASTING Akon's song I Just Had Sex....hahahaha I didn't think that was airport appropriate, but whatever floats his boat...)

Alright guys, have to board now so the next time I blog, it'll be from Dunedin, Florida!

Cya, Wouldn't wanna be ya!
Peace Homeslices