A Year of Change

A photo from one of our home games. Stade Municipal, Quebec City, Quebec.

Hey guys, I have to take this opportunity to write again because I do not know when the next time I will get internet. I will probably not to be able to post on my birthday, which is tomorrow, so I have to get this in. But I need to let everyone know, that I am not one of those losers who calls people to remind them to remind me a happy birthday. First, I have to say I have loved reading all the comments. Mom and Dad, thanks for talking to me after all of my games. I am fortunate to have parents who are eager to hear from their son about news of a game. Ian and to the whole fam, I do not know what ritual has to be performed for Alex's return to Springfield, I think the sacrifice of an animal will suffice. Steph, thanks for all the love and support you give me. It is what I need to hear to keep playing ball. Anita, I am so happy that you and Steve are following. Gonna have to bring back a good bottle of wine when I get back to share stories. Eric Coutu, I can't wait to see you bro. If you read this before our next homestand, just email me when you are coming and I can get you and the fam tickets. Olivear, thanks for reading my brother. I have learned some pretty cool songs on guitar and I frequently remember the times we had in our "studio" when we were jamming out. I miss that brother. And last but definitely not least, my main man Chris Harrison.

Let me tell you guys a little about Chris Harrison. This guy was my savior in France last year. When things were at their worst last year, Chris brought me out of the dark. I have learned so much from him last year. Mainly, just how to be a good person. Because that is what he is, the nicest guy you could ever meet.

Now Chris....I think we can laugh about where I was on my birthday last year. If you don't know where I was last year, let me quickly fill you in. I just got kicked out of my second french apt. by my crazy landlord, and was homeless, sleeping on Chris's top floor on an air mattress. Chris still made my birthday a memorable one with a cake and a good bottle of red. So yes,Chris, I am ready to laugh now where I was at.

So today Thursday, July 2nd, is an off day for the Quebec Capitales. We rolled in from New Hampshire at 6:00am this morning. Now the only problem I had now, besides not a f'n minute of sleep, is that I was homeless. Weird coincidence. I knew I was going to live in these winter lodge condo's just outside Quebec City in the mountains. So it was decided that I would just stay one night with a pitcher on the team before other arrangements could be made. So we headed on 73N for about 20 minutes into the forested Canadian mountains. Now in Toronto, I didn't see any of this. Toronto could have been any other big city in the states. Where I was driving now was the Canada that I wanted to see. Evergreens as far as the eye can see, rolling mountains. Just beautiful. Now I'm gonna get wordy here...Even though I was dreadfully tired I perked up when the sun introduced himself at the point where the sky met the tops of the trees. Very Ansel Adamesque. I just need to just show you pictures of where I am at. They will come but not this post (sowwy). I brought in my bags from my car and just crashed in on the open bed. Now these condo's are just amazing. All the players live in these condo's which are pretty much deserted now. They are fully fernished with windows that let you look into the mountain valley. When you go outside you can see all the ski slopes that the lifts take you up to. It is just beautiful.

My one thought of when I arrived at this place was...I can't wait to take a long run into the mountain sides.

"Tony, what are you going to do today?" Asked Josh Colafemina (Single A Royals, our 2B)
"I think I'm going to go for a long run on one of those paths over there."
"Dude, you can't do that." He replied.
"Just why the hell not?"
"There are bears and shit out there. There are signs everywhere about it."

I had a look of concern at this point.

"Well, maybe I won't go running."

All followed by a roar of laughter from all the guys.

"I guess Missouri boys aren't the brightest."

"Well, fuck, I don't know!" I was just playing out Jim Gaffigan's stand up about "Bears" in my mind.

'Just play dead....'

So, I didn't go running anyway. Kinda got me freaked out. So Josh, Sebastien (AAA Orioles CF), Derek (Single A Padres P) and I decided to go to the gym and work out. I just needed to get a good run in, so I did just only that. I don't think my body would have let me lift much because I was still feeling the past road trip. After our lift, we went to a mall for lunch. So now I am back here sitting in Josh's condo writing yall because his is the only condo with internet.

I still do not know exactly where I am going to be on the complex, the coaches told me that something will open up and that it should be taken care of shortly. I have to tell you that moves are about to be made in the organization. Geoff Tomlinson, the guy who pulled his hammy...who I went in for the first game, is being pulled off the DL (disabled list) tomorrow. So when he is activated, that means someone has to go.

Now...

I know that I don't have much to worry about because I have performed pretty damn well. But you never know with these things. If not me, then it has to be someone else who has gotten along well with the team. Even though I have only been here just over a week, we are a pretty tight knit group. People all have their ideas who is going to be let go. But the fact of the matter is that someone is losing their job.

I know that feeling. I hate that feeling.

So at this moment I think of something kinda off topic.

I think about the fat obnoxious beer-bellied baseball fan who yells at the opposing team. The guy who might have had baseball glory in his past and who thinks of clever things to say the night before he comes to the ballpark. This asshole has no clue what goes on on any type of professional baseball club. So when he screams at the player who just messed up. That player could be packing his bags that next day, having to deal with what to do next. I know that the violins are coming out but I now know about what guys go through.

Just had to say it.

To leave you on a lighter note, I had an excellent past series. I hit the absolute piss out of that homerun. I know I have written before about it but when you absolutely crush a ball, you don't even feel it. I feels like you just hit a baseball made out of melted butter.

I miss you guys and love you with all of my heart. For Mom, I have to do it...

"Happy Birthday to me...(blowing out the candles)"

I can't wait to see and hear from you guys again. Thanks for the comments and I love to know that you guys are reading. Love and miss you all.