The Blog describes the ice hockey game of life of John Diehl.

Thursday, March 06, 2008

Gator-ville

Hey guys, just an update on the FL adventure. I've been hanging around the clubhouse in the AM doing physicals as the position players straggle in. Monday night I got to hit the RAW sushi bar in downtown. I am not the sushi aficionado that others are, but it was very good. Tuesday the Reds beat the Indians 7-4 in a rain shortened game and I got to accompany the Daggys to Two Senoritas, a charming Mexican restaurant. From there we headed to SKOB (Siesta Key Oyster Bar) where they had an amusing man strumming the guitar and Matt's bros downed the Village idiot- 8 different kinds of alcohol in a plastic bucket. Yesterday, it was gorgeous and I got in another 15 holes of golf. I played with Ed, Ron and Monty, all GM retirees from Michigan. They were a lot of fun and it was great golfing until the heavens opened up and rained us off the course. Today is the last day of physicals, so wish me luck.

Sunday, March 02, 2008

Sarasota, FL

This is nice. I am down south in the friendly confines of Sarasota where I am hanging out with the Cincinnati Reds. Yesterday, after preforming physicals on the minor league pitchers and catchers, we saw the Reds beat the Pirates in a most ripping contest. Griffey and Dunn each had home runs, and the reds scored 2 in the bottom of the ninth to win 12-11. Then there was a nice medical personnel reception where I got to meet Dusty Baker the coach, Wayne and Bob, the GM and owner of the reds. After that my inebriated boss adjusted my neck (scary) as we were on our way to Club beach to dance the night away.
Today started slow as I was run down from last night. But then I made it to St. Martha's church for the noon service. There was this fantastic Hispanic priest who announced it was rejoice Sunday because we are half way through lent. He had to have been in his 70s but was very vibrant, and he introduced the celebrating priest, Father Bob, who had his birthday yesterday. Of course I am picturing some mildly overweight, balding Fr. Bob, but when he walk down the aisle, he was a young Indian priest, who was excellent. When the congregation was praying the "Our Father" it was different from what I am used to. The cantor would sing a phrase, and as she finished, she would raise her arms and the congregation would echo the words. But this adorable elderly Latino woman behind me could not for the life of her figure out the cadence. Every single phrase, she would come in with this loud high pitched voice 2 or 3 beats ahead of everyone else. It was hysterical.
From church I was able to meed with some friends of a friend to golf. Gorgeous weather, there was a real live alligator on hole number 2. I got my first par of '08, and we finished about 15 1/2 holes. On the last hole, it was so dark we couldn't see. So we all hit drives, Greg lost his ball, I had a good drive and Dave crushed one over 300yrds. On the second shot, I lost my ball, and Dave put his within 5 feet of the hole, and he sank the put for the only birdie of the day. Fantastic.
Now, after taking a spin on the elliptical, I am ready for a late dinner. Florida is fun.