Reality starting to set in
Sitting in the press box at Osceola County Stadium (Astros) right now swapping old Vero Beach stories with a veteran out-of-town writer who is a longtime close buddy of mine, and I'm starting to realize that this is all going to be over in less than a week. No more Bobby's. No more Ocean Grill. No more Ay Jalisco. No more Villa Nova. Tonight, when I go back, it will be my last trip ever down the Florida Turnpike, except for that short leg 200 miles south of here that I have to take to get to Dolphin Stadium three days a year. No more Dodgertown. And no more Vero Beach. I'm trying to be sad. I'm trying to feel the way I felt the last few days before I graduated high school, or the last few days before I left Denver and Cincinnati for what at the time were greener pastures. But somehow, I just can't muster it. Somehow, I just can't cry for Dodgertown. And the funny thing is, after being down here for four weeks now, I don't get the impression the good people of Vero Beach are crying for it, either. What I have noticed is a lot more people from Los Angeles coming down to take advantage of their last chance to see the place, and that's a wonderful thing to see. But I also know I'll see a lot MORE of those people in Glendale, and that will be even better.

Tony Jackson has covered the Dodgers for the Daily News since 2004 and has covered Major League Baseball on a regular basis since 1995. He previously covered the Colorado Rockies and Cincinnati Reds. He is a native of Springdale, Ark., and a graduate of the University of Arkansas.

Comments
What's wrong with name dropping veteran, out-of-town writers Tony? Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Juan Pierre's flying helmet | March 13, 2008 10:24 AM
As a die hard Dodger fan my entire life, I have never been able to make it to a spring training game. I've always wanted to visit Dodgertown; one, for the history and just to see this amazing place, but more to just experience spring training. I will be sad when it is gone, but I am WAY more excited to now be able to visit spring training. Already starting to plan my trip for next year!
Posted by: Zach | March 13, 2008 10:57 AM
Reason number one for me to be excited, I am having a house built in Paradise Valley just a short drive from Glendale. Finally, I get to see spring training games without flying cross country and taking my life in my own hands driving from Orlando to Vero.
Posted by: Chris Torgrimsson | March 13, 2008 5:00 PM
Who knows Tony, maybe you'll be a Baltimore Orioles beat writer someday! ;)
Posted by: El Lay Dave
|
March 13, 2008 8:49 PM