Day 7

Sunday, 11:59 p.m.

Dear Diary,

In one minute, Day 7 ends. Then it will be Day 8. On Day 8, I get to go home.

Spring training was three days shorter this year than last year, but just as action packed. I got a lot done, wrote some interesting stories -- at least, I hope you think I wrote some interesting stories. And I had more fun than last year. Spring training was very tough on me last year. It wore me down mentally and physically. I didn't get to have much fun and all work felt like pulling teeth since I didn't really know any of the players or front office.

This year, my familiarity with the personnel and the atmosphere made it much simpler. I almost can't believe we're done. I wouldn't mind staying a few extra days in Florida. If the Atlantic League wanted to expand to, say, Orlando in the next couple seasons, I would not object. The Orlando Mickeys, anyone?

I have a morning flight out and the dude at the front desk said traffic to Tampa is rough in the morning -- rough by Tampa standards is probably what you usually see at 2 p.m. on 287 -- but I'm getting an early start just in case.

I must say, I'm pretty disappointed that NOBODY commented on my Bernie Williams story. I worked really hard to get that story because I thought the Yankees fans in Central Jersey would appreciate it, but I get more responses to my diary entries about what I'm eating, how I'm feeling and who I'm hanging around. I thought it would cause a little more of a buzz than it did. The only where I know it caused a buzz is at my buddy's wedding where some of my colleagues were discussing it.

Congratulations, Kaz and enjoy the honeymoon. I asked Sparky to charter a jet home and be my date at the wedding but he wasn't interested.