happy day

Spring Training is generally considered the starting point for the endurance test that results in a World Series winner. Truthfully, though, it starts with Truck Day. It started Friday in Houston, when the Astros' equipment crew loaded a 54-foot 18-wheeler with everything a Major League team needs to get through Spring Training. The truck departed Minute Maid Park that day and was scheduled to arrive Sunday in Kissimmee, Fla.

What exactly goes onto one of these rigs? According to Dennis Liborio, a 27-year veteran as the Astros' head clubhouse man, this was their inventory:

• Hats, T-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, short-sleeved shirts, dry fits (undergarments that soak up sweat), athletic supporters, belts, underwear, tights, long johns, stirrup socks, running shoes, spikes, turf shoes, jerseys, pants, lightweight jackets and heavyweight ones, too, in case it gets cold.

• Gum -- about 10,000 pieces -- plus about 36 boxes of sunflower seeds.

• Whirlpools, medical supplies, medical machines and weight equipment.

"It takes all winter to prepare for this," Liborio said. "We basically start when the season ends. We start packing things we know we're taking to Florida. We go through everything and try to weed out stuff we're going to give to the Minor Leagues. It's a long haul."

Trucks are generally also filled with bats, balls, helmets and more. Bats also are typically shipped to training camps by the suppliers. Players show up at their spring homes and the world is waiting for them there. Team trucks even are known to include golf clubs -- the modern-day ballplayer's other favorite piece of sporting equipment.

"It's a big job, but it's a big job when we get there, too," Mariners clubhouse manager Ted Walsh said during last year's Truck Day. "Once the truck arrives in Peoria [Ariz., three days later], we've got to unload and get everything set up. That's the real job. Once those guys are out there on the field and playing, we'll know the season's ready to go." [mlb.com]

9:18 AM :: ::

5 Comments:

• "dry fits (undergarments that soak up sweat)"
  Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.

  By  Anonymous, at 12:11 AM   <$BlogItemControl$>

• Lupe, update! There are spring training photos to be posted!

  By  Anonymous, at 4:54 PM   <$BlogItemControl$>

• Look! His hair gets shorter with each passing year!

  By  Anonymous, at 4:56 PM   <$BlogItemControl$>

• omg wtf it looks like he laid just a little bit of sod on his head

  By  June, at 8:07 PM   <$BlogItemControl$>

• I TRIED TO START A SUPER HAPPY ST PHOTO THREAD AT BOBC THIS MORNING BUT IT DIED
  
  tomorrow then!

  By  lupe!, at 11:09 PM   <$BlogItemControl$>

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