Tagged: Arizona

So far, so good in Florida

Not a whole bunch to report from Spring Training right now. So far, so good. Every player is going to have some injuries in the spring; that’s just the way it goes. As long as our guys avoid the big ones, that’s all we can ask for.

So, from my Twitter and Facebook accounts I can see most of you heard that I got kicked out of a game the other day. To me, it doesn’t matter if it’s Spring Training, I still have to do my job. This is also time for me and the coaches to practice. The players are doing their jobs, and so should everyone else. I will say that it was a long walk, though (haha).

As for Spring Training in Florida, the travel is not as easy as it was in Arizona. Everyone is so bunched up out there it makes it very easy to get around. Other than the travel being a little tougher, I have to say that I have enjoyed Florida a lot more. Maybe it’s because of the house I’m living in now, or being able to ride my bike around or jump in the pool. I don’t know why exactly, but I really have enjoyed it down here.

I really liked seeing Anibal Sanchez back on the bump and Carlos Zambrano pitching well. Those are two big positives. I hope everyone has a good weekend, and let’s be honest: We are all just ready for Opening Day.

Also, I am going to post some pictures soon of the beautiful house I’m staying at here in Jupiter. I think it’s cool to give you guys as much insight into the things I’m doing as possible. So be on the lookout for that.

I have so many lineups running through my head

What’s up, people?! I wanted to write a quick blog to let everyone know how it’s going down
here in Arizona. Now that all the
guys are here, it’s been really awesome. I love my job!  From what I
have seen it really looks like everyone is here ready to work. It’s been awesome just seeing the
positive attitudes everyone has come to camp with.

I have a lot of ideas going through my head and have been
playing around with so many lineups for months now. In reality, I hope I can just stick to one because that means
everyone is healthy and it makes my job a lot easier. Same thing goes for the bullpen and the starting staff. I
really enjoy watching things come together. It has been very good to see Jake Peavy progress forward; I hope
he can get healthy and really help us out this year. 

As for what else I have been doing? If you follow me on Twitter, you know I had a great time watching the NBA All-Star Game festivities Saturday night. I love my man Charles
Barkley … always entertaining! 

Make sure you keep your questions coming in the “Ask Ozzie!”
part of my website. I love reading
them, and I know a lot of people have been asking about the lineup. This is what spring is for. We will
sort everything out and put the best lineup on the field.

Who is coming to see us in Spring Training this year??

— Ozzie 

Joey Cora needs to get his golf swing fixed

Finally in Arizona

Hey, everyone. I’m here, and it is awesome! Wow, I really love Arizona, but only for Spring Training. Went over to the stadium this morning to take care of a couple of things and tomorrow we will be ready to roll!
Went out and golfed at the Wigwam Golf Course today with Joey Cora and my son Oney. We golfed the gold course and found out why nobody likes to play that course — it’s so big and very difficult. Oney won, and yes, he is still talking about it and probably will be for a while. There were a few laughs — if you haven’t already, please check out this video of Joey’s golf swing. (hahaha) My god, I think he needs Hank Haney or someone to help him fix that!
OK, now it’s time to get cooking on the grill! It has been a great first day here in Arizona, and be sure check out the photo gallery on my website for all the pics from today.
— Ozzie

My bags are packed & my golf clubs are waiting!

Today is finally the day! I wanted to write one more quick blog for everyone before I leave for Arizona. My bags are all packed, and my golf clubs are already waiting for me. I’m actually even taking my English bulldog with me this year so he can keep me company because all Joey Cora wants to do is talk about baseball, and I get enough of that at the stadium.
I really hope the fans are as excited about this as I am. I hope you all come out and support this ballclub. It means a lot even for the fans that come out in Glendale and support us and enjoy the sun. For those of you who haven’t had a chance to see us in Glendale, the facility is awesome, and I am sure if you can get away from Chicago for a few days, you will love it.
For me, April 1 can’t get here quick enough. I will be posting new blogs, pictures and videos all through Spring Training, so make sure you keep checking out the website! Remember, dreams come to those who go get them.
— Ozzie 

Q&A: Arizona in the spring, Kenny Powers &  Magglio

Hey, everyone! I hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving and ate a lot of turkey and mashed potatoes! Here are some more of your questions answered:

Q: Ozzie, what do you think about Arizona? Do you have any favorite restaurants down there, and how do you like having Spring Training there?

A: Arizona has great weather, even though it’s kind of weird because in the morning it’s freezing and then gets very, very warm during the day. I love the amazing golf courses they have out there, even though I need to get a lot better! Our Spring Training facilities are very good and convenient for the managers and players because they are all so close. It allows us to take batting practice in Glendale and then travel to our road games and back quickly. “Mastro’s” and “Mariscos Chihuahua” are my two favorite places to eat, and I go there often. In fact, I take the Arizona grounds-crew guys out to eat every year at one of those places. I love those guys.

Q: Will you invite Kenny Powers to camp next spring?

A: I would love to have Kenny Powers in camp. I also want that YouTube kid, Keenan Cahill — the little guy with the glasses. That guy is great! 

Q: Are A.J. Pierzynski and Paul Konerko staying?

A: When you guys ask me questions about players, you guys are asking the wrong man.

Q: As a former resident of Berwyn, Ill., do you ever get a chance to make it back? Any favorite restaurants?

A: Yes, I have some good friends in the Berwyn Police — Jimmy Sassetti is my guy! My favorite place to go eat is :Mr. Tacos,” and I remember Orlando the Barber.

Q: Is there still heat between you and Magglio Ordonez?

A: No, me and Magglio did what we had to do. We moved on and respect one another. I’m happy when he does well.

Q: What are your thoughts on global warming?

A: To be honest, I really don’t know that much about global warming. I do know that we need to try and take a little better care of our environment, no matter what you believe.

Thanks for all the questions, and remember to keep them coming! 

— Ozzie