I went to the locker room before the game to work out on the bike, get stretched and wrapped up. The trainers here are so fantastic. They take great care of all the guys. Just think, the guys who worked on me work on the Sox! Then after the game they got me on ice and I feel great!

Not much more to say. We have the banquet tonight. And then I am off to the airport at 4 am!

I will say more when I get back!

Me before the game – both quads wrapped tight!

Bill Lee in the dugout. He wears his old uniform.

Lou Merloni getting ready to hit.

Update from last night. I hung out with Luis Tiante at a cigar bar – he once again was a great guy. Got back to the hotel bar around 8:30 to watch the Celtics/Lakers game – ugh. At one point, Oil Can Boys walked up to me and said “I got things going with three women. Come on man let’s do a threesome!” I declined as he ran off. Then we sat and listened to Butch Hobson tell stories. Man this it gets better and better. I was really tired so I left around 10-ish and went to bed.

This morning I got to the park at 6:30 – rode the bike, got stretched and wrapped. Our first game was coach pitch. I played 3rd base the whole game. Did very well if I do say so myself. Helped on some double plays, made some outs. Lot’s of fun. I went 2-3 with an RBI. One one infield fly I felt my LEFT quad go “boooiiinnnng!” After the game I got it wrapped. We lost the game. Cannot remember the score.

Then we had lunch. Very mellow. Guys are getting very tired. I went to the trainers to get stretched and talked with Manny Delcarmen for a few minutes! So cool!!!

Second game was a consolation game as we were no where near the finals. I played 3rd again. Loved it! I made an awesome line drive catch. So cool! I went 2-3 again with a huge 2 run double all the way to the wall in center field. Felt so good! We lost 20-14. Loooong game and crazy! We finished 8th out 10 teams with a record of 2-6. My teammates are a great bunch of guys and we had fun. Lots of tired and tight legs, arms, butts and well…you name it. We are all going out to dinner tonight with wives, families and our coaches Luis Tiante and John Valentin. Should be a great time!

One interesting note. One of the trainers is named Chip Simpson. He is a professional eater who used to hold the record for tamales. He has eaten 175 chicken wings in 8 minutes; 10 lbs. of corned beef and cabbage in 10 minutes; 1.75 gallons of ice cream in 5 minutes, etc. We are going to get a pool of cash going so we can witness him eating 50 wings in 2 minutes at the final banquet!

Here are some pics:

Me and Butch Hobson.

Here is a sign that they have above the urinals to check your dehydration.

A video of me striking out.

Now for Day 5. I got up at 6 am and to the park at 6:30. It is fricking freezing here. It was about 35 degrees this morning. The first game was in the 40′s and the second was in the 50′s)

I rode the bike, got stretched and taped up. When the stats were put up I found out that I was 11th out of 118 for batting average (.600) and 9th for on base percentage. Woo hoo! Our first game was at the City of Palms park – the major league park. They announced our names at every bat!! I hurt my right quad so I only played the field for 2 innings and went to DH. I went 1-3. We got our asses handed to us in a big loss. Oh well. After the game I got a ride with Luis Tiante in his yellow and black Corvette. Just me and him for a 10 minute drive. He opened all the windows and smoked a cigar. I asked him if the car was rented. He said “Jes!” I said “Can you smoke in here?” He said “Fuck that…Of course I can. I paid for the car didn’t I?” Okay then! It was so cool. We talked about his career and baseball of course. He lives in Southboro MA and has 3 grown kids and 2 grandkids who ALL live with him and his wife.

We then had lunch where I met Mike Greenwell and Kevin Youklis! I also saw Jon Lester again.

Our second game was on the auxiliary field at the City of Palms park . I was a DH again. I went 2-4. We won in extra innings 9-8. We are now 2 wins and 4 losses.

Here are some pics:

Me at bat.

Me getting a hit!

My team – Valentin’s Vikings.

Me and Mike Greenwell.

Me and Rich Gedman.

Me and Kevin Youklis! Woo hoo!!!

First was the all team meeting then outside for stretching. I was feeling really good. These trainers are amazing. You have to realize that these guys are probably the best in the world. Think of it, Jon Lester was here to yesterday working with them! So we had a game against George Thomas and his crew. I started at 3rd base and played there for 4 innings. Valentin mixed up the batting order and had me at 7th so I could help hit guys in. After the 4th inning Valentin came up to me and said “I need you in right field because I need someone who can catch out there.” That was pretty cool. I went 1 for 2 with a two out rip to center for an RBI. We won 4-2. Great game!

Then it was lunch and a signing session with Dwight Evans. He was so much cooler than Jim Rice. After lunch I got back on the bike for 10 minutes, a stretch, a wrap and 2 Advil. I was feeling great! Then we all met outside for stretching. Then it was game #2. It was coach pitch again. We were playing Lou Merloni’s team.

I played 3rd base all game. Batted 7th and went 3 for 3. We got creamed 12-6. Their coach was throwing lobs over the plate and Valentin was throwing hard strikes. I missed a couple of plays by bobbling the ball. I caught a relay throw from Center to Short to Third and missed the tag by a foot! The BEST part was that Lou was Third Base coach and we talked the entire game! He gave me pointers, told me where to stand, where to throw and we laughed a lot. Such a great guy!

After the game I felt great! I needed no ice at all! We all got dressed and headed over to the City of Palms Park (the major league field) and watched 10 campers take place in the Home Run Derby (one guy from each team). The guy from my team, Joe Yastremski (no relation at all! although his nephew is here and is named Carl) won the whole thing! I hope he brings that bat to the games tomorrow! Then we had a barbeque. At this point the cold front had set in and we were freezing our asses off. I ate my food, got into one of the vans and headed back to the hotel.

We are 1-3 and hope to win 2 games tomorrow to go 3-3. Still a great time!

Here are some pics.

Me and Oil Can Boyd last night.

Me in my Home Uniform this morning.

Me and Luis Tiant.

Me helping Rich Gedman with the USA Today Crossword puzzle.

Then it was lunch.

Game 2 was coach pitch (all afternoon games are coach pitch). Valentin pitched to us. We played Oil Can Boyd’s team so he pitched to his team. He picked off one of his own players and struck out 5 or 6! It was very funny. I went 2-4 with a run and an RBI. We were down 5-1 in the bottom of the 6th and we came back to tie it. We held them off for the 7th and we went into extra innings. I was up with 2 on and 2 outs. I hit a good ball. Ran fast to first. The first baseman dropped it, but I was called out. Game over. We lost.

So we are 0-2. A bit discouraged, but having fun.

I am sore. My right quad is hurting. I had it iced and will ice it again. Arm is tired, but feeling strong. The good news is that I went 3 for 7. I am hitting .428. And coach likes me at the 1 or 2 spot. So  if I can’t run I will get on base and have someone run for me. Here I am with beer and ice.

The big thing today was that we were graced with Jim Rice’s presence. I had him sign my bat. Here is how it went down. I stood in line. They said “only 2 signings per person.” I got up to Jim. I said “Hi.” He took my bat, I think he grunted, signed it and handed it back. He never once looked up. Here is a classic photo of the event.

All in all – a great day. Off to dinner with some guys from the team – some of the guys are from Lexington and Watertown, etc.  so it is nice to be with guys from home.

Got up at 6:00 am and headed to the ballpark by 7:00 am. Hung out and suited up. Then we had breakfast – eggs, potatoes, toast, some wicked looking bacon that I did not touch. After breakfast we had an all camp meeting. This is where I learned about the Kangaroo Court – a list of rules that you do not break or you get fined: $1.00 for minor fines and $5.00 for major fines. Turns out that yesterday when I went to bat my pocket was turned inside out. Oops – $1.00 for Weiss! I paid it as we only have 24 hours to do so. All of the money goes to the Red Sox Foundation.

After the meeting we had evaluations and lessons. 5 stages.

1. Baserunning

2. Pitching

3. Infield

4. Outfield

5. Batting

Baserunning was lead by George Thomas, Dick Bernardino and the awesome Rich Gedman. Rich is a very funny guy and a lot of fun to be around.

Pitching was led by Luis Tiant and Oil Can Boyd. I learned how to throw a 4-seam fastball and a breaking ball. It was a lot of throwing.

Infield was awesome. It was led by Lou Merloni and John Valentin. Two of the nicest guys and guys I remember very well. Lots of grounders and crouching. My quads were burning!

Outfield was led by Butch Hobson and Dick Drago. We took grounders and pop flies. I caught them all! Phew!

Last was batting. I took some throws from Al Bumbry. He must have thrown me 50+ pitches. He would stop and show me things and then we would do it again.

It was then time for lunch! I was feeling good but needed to refuel.

After lunch we stretched and then broke into teams. We played 6 innings. My team lost 8-0. I went 1-3 . I ran fast to first each time and felt good about it. Okay, now about my defense. 2nd inning my coach Ralph Treuel thought it would be a good idea for me to PITCH! Holy shit! Needless to say I was nervous. I had NEVER ever pitched in my life. I got the ball over the plate and got to 1-2 many times. However, I gave up 5 runs. A lot of pop flies were not caught. I gotta say though – it was fun. I asked Ralph how I did and he said “You threw strikes.” This made me feel good as he was the Red Sox pitching coach. Then I said, “Do you think anyone will ask me to pitch again?” And he said, with all honesty and some smiles, “Not if they saw what I did!” Oh well….

After the games, I got iced up like John Lester , had some beers, took a shower and headed back to the hotel. The Draft is tonight! Wish me luck!

Here are some pics from today:

Me and Frank Viola!

Me and Bill Lee

Me and Lou Merloni

Me and John Valentin

And last but not least. Me wrapped up like Major League pitcher (with a beer!)

Got in last night around 10 pm, asleep by midnight and up at 7 am. The van left at 8:00 am and we were off to the fields for a game that they had for guys who signed up early. There was about 20 of us. It’s about a 20 minute ride to the Red Sox Player Development Center. I have to tell you I was excited and anxious. Some of these guys have been here before and it was clear that they were players.

Once we got to the locker room we were told to find our locker and suit up in our away uniforms. Holy cow! So cool. here are some pictures of the locker room, me and my locker.

Then we hit the field and played our first game. Rick Wise was my coach. Oil Can Boyd was the other coach. Both funny and awesome guys. How freaking cool is this?!?!

Here are my stats. I was leadoff man because no volunteered. I played Right Field for 4 innings then went to second for 1 inning and shortstop for 1 inning. I went 3 for 4 with one RBI and struck out at my last at bat. To hit .750 on day 1 was a relief! We played 7 innings. We lost 8-7. Oh well. Who cares?!?! It was a blast. Oh yea – i had one error. Took a grounder at short and over threw the first baseman.

We hit the showers had lunch and headed back to the hotel.

I feel good, strong and tired. Looking forward to watching the Superbowl! Go Steelers!!!

I heard from my roommate via email this morning. I found him on the Web – he is much younger than me, but seems really cool. He’s rooting for the Steelers on Sunday so he has to be a cool dude.

About 20 guys are getting there on Saturday so they are allowing us to play a game on Sunday before the Super Bowl. Very cool!

Woo hoo!!