Royals Spring Training

And so we bid a fond farewell to Phoenix

2008-03-09T20:20:00.000-07:00

All good things must come to an end and that includes our wonderful trip to Phoenix. Tom left Friday at midnight and presumably beat the nasty weather to arrive home Saturday morning. We haven't heard from him but that usually means everything is OK. I left for Los Angeles this morning. My flight was delayed almost two hours due to fog at LAX. I arrived around noon and am now safe and sound at Galen and Laura's. Brendan was to leave this morning but his flight was canceled due to the storm. He leaves tonight at 12:30 and will arrive in Cincinnati at 6:30 Monday morning. Our trip was really possible because of the generosity and hospitality of Bill and Shannon Corrigan. Words cannot express our gratitude but perhaps this picture will give some idea of the laid back style of life they shared with us.

Brendan's Big Surprise in Surprise AZ

2008-03-07T17:58:00.000-08:00

Yesterday after we met George Brett, we told J. J. about our trip to Cooperstown for his induction into the Hall of Fame. Later that day, J.J. was talking to the traveling secretary who asked him about J.J.'s freind (Brendan) and his father who were visiting and had met George. When J.J. told him that Brendan was a life-long fan and that we had attended Cooperstown, the secretary told that story to Brett who then signed a bat especially for Brendan. there could not have been a better ending to our visit to Royals. The fact that it happened because of our trip to Cooperstown (an already very special time for us) made it even more meaningful.

Click here to see the photo album for today.

Friday Morning Golfing

2008-03-07T17:04:00.001-08:00

We went golfing this morning. When we arrived, we found out we were in a foursome; a Wilson had been added. Not Wilson Pickett but a Mike Wilson who was a good golfer and fun to play with. Tom shot 81 which to his great consternation included a six on a par three. Brendan took an 89. Bill had a lot more! Here is a video of Tom and Brendan teeing off.

Brendan finally meets George Brett

2008-03-06T20:07:00.000-08:00

After years of waiting, Brendan finally got to meet George Brett in person. When we arrived at the Roayls training camp, we were met by J. J. Piccolo, brendan's teammate at George Mason University who is Director of Minor League Operations for the Royals. After a brief chat, J.J. took us into the major league club house. When we opened the door, there was George. We had a wonderful visit with him. He is fun and very engaging...and very committed to the Kansas City Royals. Here is a picture that was truly years in the making.

Brendan finally arrives!

2008-03-05T15:44:00.001-08:00

Brendan finally made it here. We took him sraight to Surpirse where he is getting together with J.J. for dinner. Tom and I will go out tomorrow morning for a visit to the Royals camp and then a round of golf in the afternoon. Here are some pictures of his arrival.

Meanwhile back in Mesa, Uncle Tom was working.

We had to play golf without Brendan

2008-03-05T12:07:00.000-08:00

Poor Brendan never did get out of Dayton last night. He barely made his connection in Minneapolis but is now in the air winging his way to Phoenix. Bill, Tom, and Bill kept the tee time early this morning and are now home eating lunch and preparing to pick up Brendan when he arrives. When alst we heard from him, he wanted to step off the plane and play a round of golf and leave the visit to Surprise and the Royals camp until Thursday. The three of us are anxious to learn what his plan will be when he actually gets here. We are ready to play another round of golf if it comes to that. Weather is beautiful, sunny, seventies!

Early Disappointment

2008-03-04T17:01:00.000-08:00

Bill and Tom arrived on time but Brendan has been delayed by weather. He is flying out of Dayton with connections in Minneapolis. His flight out of Dayton was delayed by weather and he will not be able to make his Minneapolis connection. Hence, he will be staying overnight in Minneapolis and coming in Wednesday. Bill Corrigan is scrambling to change tee times for Wednesday since Brendan will be wearing his golf clothes on the plane. Meanwhile, Tom is busy on his computer in Bill's kitchen.

Welcome

2008-02-28T10:07:00.000-08:00

Bill, Brendan, and Tom are traveling from Rochester NY, Cincinnati, and Virgina respectively to spend five days enjoying sun, warmth, golf, and KC Royals spring training. They will be recipients of generous hospitality from Bill and Shannon Corrigan, Brendan's brother and sister in law. They will arrive separately during the day on Tuesday March 4. Tom leaves on Saturday and Brendan and Bill on Sunday; Brendan back home and Bill on to Los Angeles to spend three days with Galen and his family. Check here for pictures and observations beginning March 4.