Tagged: Jupiter

Thanks everyone for your continued support!

I have been missing in action for a while, but I wanted to write to everyone who has supported me throughout this whole year, as well as to those of you who haven’t supported me, but are still reading this because you just can’t get enough, or something. I’m off later today to Spain, and I am really looking forward to this vacation and getting away from everything for a little while.

No matter what I do or where I go, baseball is in me 24/7, and that’s just the way it’s going to be. It’s very disappointing to see the way we ended this season and I don’t have to remind anyone that we had much higher hopes. But, what’s in the past is in the past. No regrets. Hopefully we can have a great offseason, get back on track, and come back ready to kick some butt.

Jose Reyes stayed healthy, JJ (Josh Johnson), Mike Stanton — all of those key guys being on the field for us was great this year. I loved the fact that every single one of my players played hard every day. That’s all I can ask for. I have to thank them for that. The staff and front office — we all went through this season together. Throughout the good and the bad, we stuck together. We had some good surprises along the way with Donovan Solano and Justin Ruggiano, and I know things will get better overall sooner rather than later.

I’m not a quitter and I will never give up on my guys. Soon enough we will all be in Jupiter, Fla. for Spring Training and the optimism will be back. Good luck to all the guys in the playoffs; make sure you appreciate it because it’s one of the best feelings you will ever have.

Thank you to everyone for their continued support. Have fun and I will see you soon.

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.

Heading to Chicago soon for a visit

Well, things have not gone according to plan for me. I’m still in Venezuela and all I want to do is go back to Chicago and hang out at the house. I want to see some snow and put on a big jacket and some gloves, because I like that stuff. Before I can go back, though, I need to stop in Miami and finalize the deals on the houses I’m going to live in, one in Jupiter and one in Miami. It’s a little hard when I go house shopping because I like a very specific style of house. I want it to look very modern and away from the traffic, and in Miami that can be hard because traffic can be very bad. I think we have narrowed it down and are going to find what we are looking for.

After we are able to get all of that stuff done, it’s finally back to Chicago. I’m tired of watching the Bulls on TV, so you had better believe I will be at the United Center. They are doing an awesome job even without Derrick Rose, so that’s great. I can’t wait to see a game.

I saw that the Rangers signed that Yu Darvish guy. Good for them. For all of the money they spent on him, I hope he does well for them. Going to back to back World Series is not an easy thing to do. Who knows? Maybe they can make it three in a row. I also heard that Orlando Cabrera is going to retire. I had him with the White Sox (we made the playoffs that year), but also when I was with the Expos. He is simply a winner and always has been. He can be a little different, but he can play. He had a great career.

Well, I hope you guys stay warm in Chicago and for all my people in Miami, keep rooting for the Heat (they will get better) and hopefully the Fish as well. Congrats to all the guys that avoided arbitration; well done, and best of luck to the guys that are challenging.

My birthday is also very soon, but no gray hairs for me yet! January is a very busy month for my family, but no SoxFest this year (haha), so it will be nice to just hang out around the house and relax.