Friday, February 28, 2014

FSU Seminoles vs. New York Yankees

The New York Yankees opened their 2014 spring training season with an exhibition game against the FSU Seminoles.  Of course, the big story was Jameis Winston, Heisman Trophy winner and quarterback of the National Champion Seminoles less than two months ago, here having a jovial moment with Yankee's Manager Joe Girardi.


Unfortunately, not many Yankees starters played, or even showed up for the game.  But who can blame them.  They have a long season ahead of them. 

On the other hand, the media showed up in full force!  There was even a large Japanese contingent following the three Japanese players, including the newly acquired pitching phenom Masahiro Tanaka.  That made for extremely crowded camera wells, which are small and set in a poor location behind the dugouts.  Fortunately, I got special dispensation from FSU to stand in the dugout with the players, so I had an even better vantage point than the rest of the press.  Here was my view for most of the game (not too shabby, huh?):


Jimbo Fisher was there, ostensibly to throw out the first pitch.  I think he was really keeping an eye on Winston to make sure Joe Girardi didn't do too much recruiting.


Mike Martin and Joe Girardi had a lot to talk about, as you'd expect two Managers would.  I bet that was an interesting conversation.  Mike Martin must be full of baseball wisdom.  If I were a Manager, I'd want to pick his brain for a while.


Mike even gave Joe his usual pre-game psych-out speech while delivering the line-ups to the ump.  I wonder what Joe thought about that!?


A couple of the Yankees wandered over to the FSU dugout during the game to talk to the Noles.  Here's David Robertson (pitcher) socializing.


The game itself went about how'd you expect.  FSU hung with the Yankees for a while, but just couldn't keep up with the pitching or the bats.  Here are a few game photos.  You can see many more in the gallery at wlpearce.com.












See much more in the FSU at New York Yankees gallery.

See much more of all kinds of things on wlpearce.com.

Friday, February 7, 2014

Kenny Shaw - #81

Another in a series of photo posts about individual players that contributed heavily to FSU's perfect season and National Championship in 2013.  Not much wordsmithing... mostly just pics.  Enjoy.

Next up... Senior Wide Receiver Kenny Shaw - #81.  At 6'0", 170lbs.,  Shaw was another potent weapon in the Winston passing arsenal.  Shaw registered number two in all-purpose yards in 2013 with 1204.  We'll miss Kenny next year. 











































See more of Kenny and the Seminole's perfect season in the football galleries of wlpearce.com.

See much more at wlpearce.com.

Rashad Greene - #80

Yet Another in a series of photo posts about individual players that contributed heavily to FSU's perfect season and National Championship in 2013.  Not much wordsmithing... mostly just pics.  Enjoy.

Next up... Junior Wide Receiver Rashad Greene - #80.  At 6'0", 180lbs.,  Greene led the team in receiving yards in 2013 with 1128 yards on 76 receptions.  Rashad was a First Team All-ACC selection, and will be returning next year for his senior season.  We look forward to seeing him connect with Winston for another run at a title.

















































See more of Rashad and the Seminole's perfect season in the football galleries of wlpearce.com.

See much more at wlpearce.com.


Nick O'Leary - #35

Yet Another in a series of photo posts about individual players that contributed heavily to FSU's perfect season and National Championship in 2013.  Not much wordsmithing... mostly just pics.  Enjoy.

Next up... Junior Tight End Nick O'Leary - #35.  At 6'3", 248lbs., O'Leary was an instrumental weapon for Jameis Winston, hauling in passes and running over tacklers in powerful downfield runs.  Nick, grandson of golfing legend Jack Nicklaus, made his own name this year in FSU's run for the National Championship.  Nick was a semi-finalist for the Mackey Award and an All-ACC selection.


































See more of Nick and the Seminole's perfect season in the football galleries of wlpearce.com.

See much more at wlpearce.com.