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Spring Time Love
Rockets Players Get Ready for 2005
By Hernandez Firstname / Pensacola Post
Standing on Rakeville Green in 2003, Rockets outfielder Juan Pierre was feeding ducks when a young boy on a bicycle rode by. With blinding speed, Pierre chased him down and knocked him off the bike. Tears in his eyes, the child looked up to see one of his heroes standing over him.
“Why, Juan, why?”
A year prior, Greg Maddux held off the entire Pricilla Elementary School during a snowball fight in which seven children were hospitalized. Teachers trying to block the raging firestorm came back bloodied and bruised, while Maddux felt limber and ready.
The reason for all this craziness in mid-February is because the Rockets have never had an organized spring training. Players were told to prepare for the season on their own. That forced players to come up with interesting ways of getting into shape, including jogging along train tracks, power walking in local malls, and step classes.
“We have always held our breath this time of year,” said Jack Reed. “There are so many ways a player can get injured on the cold streets of the city. We have been saving money for years, and we now can afford to keep them safe.”
The Rockets will hold their first ever spring training camp in Pensacola, Fl. this week. All the players from last season have been invited to work out prior to the EHCC draft. The complex includes a baseball field, balls, bats, weights and puppies.
“I don’t understand the puppies,” said Troy O’Leary. “They are everywhere. They poop on my shoes.”
Team officials say the puppies are necessary, but would not comment further. Pitchers and Catchers report to camp Saturday.
Hernandez Firstname is a reporter for the Pensacola Post. Not only is he the president of the Pensacola Hair Club for Men, but he's also a client. Unfortunately, he's also bald.
