So, what’s new in Yankeeland, you ask? Robinson Cano, another Yankee superstar, is here. (See photo below) In fact, he and Melky Cabrera are working out with the team and DHing in games, tuning up to play in the high-caliber Dominican Winter League. I watched Cano yesterday, and you can tell by the sound of the crack of the bat against the ball that this guy is a world-class player. He went 1-3 with a very hard line-drive single yesterday, and the day before he smashed a homerun, though I missed seeing it. Many Dominican major leaguers play in the winter league, and The Lonely Planet guide book describes watching games in Santo Domingo:
“Steaming barbecue chicken, free-flowing rum, marimba breaks and bets shouted out at breakneck speed; watching a baseball game in Santo Domingo’s Quisqueya Stadium is more than just a day at the park, it’s an event reminiscent of a raging party, an off-track betting office and the World Series combined. It is one of the best places in the world to watch a baseball game.”
I definitely plan to take in a game or two after I move back into SD in a few weeks. I’ll be there until the camp reopens near the end of January. Meanwhile, I’ll be doing some teacher training at the Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo
(UASD), the oldest university in the Western Hemisphere.
On Wednesday, during the coaches vs. scouts game, I had a visit from the Public Affairs Officer, Bill Millman, at the U.S. Embassy in SD, who was showing around two ladies from the State Dept. in Washington, D.C. Both Liz and Mary Dean were instrumental in getting this pilot program of teaching with the Yankees off the ground and were very interested in what I was doing so far. They offered suggestions and support and toured the facilities here. They had been interested in observing one of my classes, but we gave the players the day off so that they could watch the coach/scout game.
One more ex-Yankee superstar is supposed to be in camp today. Reggie Jackson will be here over the weekend to give the players a pep talk. I’ll certainly try to meet him and to get a photo or two. More later.
Robbie Cano steps in to take a few swings
Here are some richly-colored clouds lit by the setting sun.
