May 21, 2009

Happy Memorial Day weekend to everyone!

I hope you guys have great plans for the long weekend. Since I’ve been in the big leagues I haven’t been able to do much traveling for this holiday, but it always reminds me of beach and lake trips, fishing, barbecues, fireworks, American flags and summer. I love driving down the Atlanta streets when they’re lined with all the little American flags. When we’re at home for Memorial Day, Turner Field usually does some really cool things. Members of the Armed Services play the National Anthem and they roll out a HUGE American flag that covers the whole outfield. I hope your cities have some special things going on to honor the men and women who have fought and given their lives for our country.

After being on the road for over a week, it was good to be playing at home for a while. We’re wrapping up a long home stand this weekend and then packing up and heading out west to San Francisco and then Phoenix. It’s a long flight, so our bags will be packed with iPods, pillows, DVDs, laptops, playing cards – and game tapes, of course.

Unlike the trips to New York, Philadelphia, Washington and Miami, we only go to California once or twice a year. While the jet lag is sometimes tough to adjust to, especially in the middle of an already long and exhausting season, these trips are typically pretty cool. San Francisco is absolutely beautiful with the stadium right there on McCovey Cove. The Giants’ AT&T Park has one of the best atmospheres of anywhere I’ve ever played. It’ll be fun to be out there on Memorial Day…I’m sure there’ll be boats, floats and kayaks sitting in the Cove waiting for what the Giants call “Splash Hits,” which are home runs hit by Giants players that land there on the fly. As a right fielder, with the Cove directly behind me, I’m hoping I don’t hear ANY baseballs splashing! However, I wouldn’t mind any of my teammates or myself launching a few out there to take a swim.

I just wanted to briefly check in and wish everyone a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend. And if you’re traveling, let me know where you’re headed!

Throw a steak on the grill for me!

 

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Best,
Jeff