Is it too early to book a trip for next year's spring training? If you've never been, yet you consider yourself a baseball fan I highly, highly recommend it. At any rate, below are some thoughts and observations after spending a few days in Clearwater...

...Had a chance to shake the hand of Tyson Gillies, the outfield prospect that some are saying might be the fastest player in all of baseball. Real nice kid, I wish him the best. Both he and Domonic Brown were spending quite a bit of time near Frenchy's, chatting with fans and taking pictures. In hindsight, I wish I had challenged Gillies to a race.
...Saw both Kyle Kendrick and Jamie Moyer start games against the Orioles. Both looked, well, about like a "fifth starter" typically does. In the end, I think Moyer will get the nod to start out in the rotation, Kendrick will go to the pen, and then, when Brad Lidge and JC Romero return from the disabled list later in April, Kendrick will be sent to the minor leagues. Why? Because contractually, Kendrick can still be sent to the minors and Moyer can't.
...Look for David Herndon to also head north with the Phillies, however, he could also be in trouble when Lidge and Romero return. But, the extra time will allow the Phillies to decide if the Rule 5 draftee is worth working out a deal with the Angels to keep him.
...On Friday night against the Orioles, Greg Dobbs did not look good at third base.
...On Saturday the Phillies traveled to Lakeland to take on the Detroit Tigers. At least half of those in attendance were wearing Phillies attire. Back at Clearwater, it was standing room only at Bright House Networks Field. I've said it before and I'm saying it again, this truly is the golden age of Phillies baseball.
...Finally, some links. Here's the entire set of photos and videos I took while down in Clearwater. Over at Fire Jim Bowden, I answered some questions about the Phillies. I like to think I gave some pretty good answers, particularly about the Roy Halladay/Cliff Lee trades and the probability of Chase Utley making the Hall of Fame. Here's the link.
Watch this space and the "Micro-Missives" in the right-hand sidebar this afternoon and this evening. I'll be at Citizens Bank Park for a "meet and greet" with the Phillies before the On Deck Series game with the Rays, and then, weather permitting, at the game itself.


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