From Ichiro to O’sosa, Cactus League trip was a memorable jaunt

Barry Bonds was a no-show, but that didn’t spoil my trip to the Phoenix area for four fun-filled days of Cactus League baseball.

Despite seeing two San Francisco Giants games at their spring training home in Scottsdale, a friend of mine, his brother and dad, my brother and I did not see the Home Run King — except for a possible sighting of the slugger in a stretch limousine with tinted windows we passed on the way to the ballpark last Thursday.

That was the first game we attended. It was a rare night-time spring training game between the Giants and Seattle Mariners.

With a steady breeze chilling the Arizona evening, the G-men were getting used to what they can expect at their main residence at Pac-Bell Ballpark when they open the Major League Baseball season less than two weeks from now. But my Baseball Soul was soon warmed by the sight of Ichiro Suzuki stepping to the plate to lead-off the top of the first.

What a way to start! Suzuki, known simply as Ichiro, was baseball’s biggest story last season — at least up until what ranks as one of the greatest World Series’ of all time.

A seven-time batting champion in Japan, Ichiro was named American League Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player in his American debut. Not only did he conquer American League pitching by winning the batting title, he conquered America by winning the hearts of fans, including mine, from sea to shining sea.

I’m too young to have seen Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb and Joe DiMaggio play. But I can now say I’ve seen one of the greatest baseball players of all-time — I really believe that. Ichiro is a complete player. He can hit. He can run. And he can play the outfield like nobody’s business.

Barry’s a wonderful talent, and I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to see him play in person, but I’ll take Ichiro any day.

The Giants prevailed, 5-4, thanks in part to a 1-2-3 game ending double play that clearly was a phantom out at home plate. But it was so cool that night, no one complained the game had ended. Warmer days were ahead.

Our entourage split up the next day — my brother and I meandering over to Maryvale to check up on our Brewers, the others trucking to Tucson to watch the Rockies and Padres play.

The weather was better that Friday — but temperatures were well below normal, and the wind was still kicking under a partly cloudy sky.

The highlight that day was seeing Robin Yount’s sweet swing once again. It was a bit odd seeing Yount, who played his entire career with the Milwaukee Brewers, wearing an Arizona Diamondbacks uniform while hitting infield grounders during batting practice before the game.

Yount is the first base coach for the World Champion D-Backs this year. Though we Brewer fans like to claim him exclusively as our own, Yount is held in such high regard that, now that his playing days are over, we don’t mind seeing “the kid,” who made his Major League debut as an 18-year old with the Brewers, still stroking it. We just wish he was still on our team.

The game was something to see, too. The teams combined for 40 hits. Jose Guillen hit for the cycle and Luis Gonzales homered for Arizona. Though the Brew Crew out-hit the champs 21-19, they lost the game, 15-12.

My brother and I made a pilgrimage to Bank One Ballpark, affectionately known as “The Bob,” Saturday morning. We took a tour of the stadium, which was cool — literally — as temperatures remained well below normal and the breeze continued to blow.

The tour ended at noon, which gave us just enough time to make it to Scottsdale to see the Giants, and hopefully Barry Bonds, play our beloved Brewers.

The Brewers’ pitching staff didn’t have to worry about Bonds, but the Giants had enough other hitters in the lineup to jump out to an early lead against Milwaukee’s suspect pitching staff. The Crew showed some tenacity, though, rallying from three runs down to tie the score in the ninth inning. But, alas, the Giants pushed a run across in the bottom of the inning to win, 10-9.

The final day of our trip was the best weather-wise. It was Sunday, and, indeed, it was a sunny day. Temperatures reached 70 degrees for the first time on our trip, and the wind had subsided. It was a beautiful day for a ballgame at Hohokam Park, spring home of the Chicago Cubs. The Cubbies were taking on their cross-town rivals, the White Sox, some 1,500 miles away from their summer homes.

It was also St. Patrick’s Day, and, keeping with tradition, the teams donned Kelly green hats for the game.

Cub fans are among the best. They love their Cubbies, and they love Sammy Sosa. A group of guys sitting in the section next to us had gone out of their way to get jersey’s printed up for the game. Each had Sammy’s number, 21, on the back. Above it was printed “O’Sosa.”

They sat along the right field line cheering Sammy’s every move and celebrating the day with a traditional beverage.

They had a lot to cheer about. Sammy went 2 for 3 and knocked in a run. Jon Lieber moved up each of our Fantasy Baseball draft lists by pitching six innings of one-hit ball as the Cubs won 3-0.

With the last out, our trip came to an end. We missed Barry, but I can’t say I missed him. Spending four glorious days with Ichiro, Robin, Sammy and a group of baseball lovers like me was an experience I’ll remember the rest of my days.

(T.S. Last is the News-Bulletin Sports editor. He can be reached via e-mail at [email protected], or by calling 864-4472.)