but it isn’t going to happen this year. Maybe next.

I will be attending the A’s/ Cubs game on the 23th of March.. and The Cubs/ Rockies game the next day (both of my cousins are Cubs fans)

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081231&content_id=3730695&vkey=hotstove2008&fext=.jsp

Not sure why but seems like I end up going in odd years…same thing with AN Day

in 203 at bats in the Venezuelan league FWIW

In case anyone is interested.

There are stories that you need subscriptions to, to be able to read the full article.

it’s how I hooked my wife on baseball (she could see hunky dudes close up).

a couple of good things to do:
—go to Phoenix Muni around 9:30 or so on game days, especially road days, and watch BP etc. The gates are open and there’s no one there— it’s a blast if you like to watch practice (which I do).
—spend a few mornings at Papago watching the minor league camp. you can wander around at will, see the next wave, maybe bump into Billy, shag some home run balls near the parking lot.
—if you’re on a budget, but have a car, try the Motel 6 in Scottsdale next to Fashion Square. Nicer than the others, still cheap, and next to the Pancake House (Dutch babies).
—or try to the Country Inn and Suites on Scottsdale Rd @ at I-60. It’s a longer walk to Phoenix Muni (half an hour if you motor, but a nice walk through a desert park), but a step up from Motel 6 on Van Buren.

I happen to make my home in the Valley of the Sun, so I’m a bit spoiled… I take a week off every year in March for my birthday and some spring training games. Love it. Love it alot. I just happened to read this article the other day right before this post originated and it has some good suggestions for where to eat along the light rail route:

http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2009-01-01/restaurants/all-aboard-for-the-best-eateries-on-the-light-rail/

I can personally vouch for Matt’s Big Breakfast… pretty much the best breakfast gig in town. Pane Bianco is awesome as well (see below re: Pizzeria Bianco, the same owner).
The rides are only $2.50/day for unlimited boardings, so you could also hop off downtown and check out Chase Field (the food’s not great, but Friday’s Front Row has a balcony overlooking the field that’s pretty cool). Immediately west of the park on Jackson Street is Alice Cooperstown… fun, kinda rock-n-rolly/sporty/drinky kinda atmosphere. (http://www.alicecooperstown.com/)
Also, if most critics (myself included) are to be believed, the best pizza in the USA is at Pizzeria Bianco. Be warned. It opens at 5:00 p.m., and if you’re in line later than 3:30, you’re not getting seated until 7:30 or 8:00. If you have a long wait, put your name in at the restaurant, and go next door to his bar and kill the evening with appetizers and drinks, the food is awesome. Nice wine selection too, if that’s your thing.
http://www.pizzeriabianco.com/
As far as the hotel situation… rates skyrocket in March, so it’s kinda hit and miss. You might do a search for homes or apartments for rent by the week… Homeaway.com has some nice listings. I can definitely second the advice about the Motel 6 next to Scottsdale Fashion Square and The Original Pancake House. It’s a quiet, almost upscale property, not what you might expect. Also, the Motel 6 on Chandler Blvd. and Interstate 10 is clean and quiet, about a 10 minute drive from Tempe/Phoenix Muni if you have a car. The light rail system will be helpful too… if you can find a decent property along the line say… in Mesa, or downtown Phoenix, you might save some money on a hotel and just travel a bit farther by train (of course, if any of you ride BART, our system will seem kind of quaint I’m sure).
ah hell… now I’m all psyched for ST to begin again and it’s 2 months away. Sigh…