WATCH FOR an all-Florida Spring Training World Series between the St. Louis Cardinals, who started their season in Jupiter, and Boston Red Sox, who began in Fort Myers in March.
The Red Sox threw out their first pitch on February 23 against the Tampa Bay Rays in Jet Blue Park. Now 206 games later Boston is one of two teams left standing (34 spring training, 162 regular season, 10 post season).
The Cardinals trotted out on the diamond for the first time on February 23 as well in Jupiter against the Miami Marlins. The Cardinals played 31 spring training games, 162 regular season games and have played 11 post season games. They play Game 205 of the season Wednesday.
Did you know the Cardinals and Red Sox have combined to play 162 years of spring training baseball in Florida in 12 different cities?
- St. Louis Cardinals – 87 years in Florida (continuous since 1946), 6 cities (St. Augustine, Bradenton, Avon Park, Daytona Beach, St. Petersburg, Jupiter)
- Boston Red Sox – 75 years in Florida (continuous since 1966), 6 cities (Tampa, Bradenton, Pensacola, Sarasota, Winter Haven, Ft. Myers)
Each team boasts a Florida native on their roster. Tallahassee’s David Ross is a catcher for the Red Sox who played for Florida High School and carried the torch for the 1993 Sunshine State Games in Tallahassee. Cardinals centerfield Jon Jay, played for Miami Columbus High School and the University of Miami.
With that bit of local knowledge, here’s a 2013 World Series Preview to become even more knowledgeable.
WATCH FOR the St. Petersburg Museum of History to host the opening of Little Cooperstown, a world-class exhibit and rare collection of memorabilia taking visitors on a journey through the great eras of baseball history, Tuesday, October 22.
The opening includes stories and artifacts of baseball’s greatest legends, including Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, and Joe DiMaggio, among others.
A “Baseball in Pop Culture” display showcases autographed baseballs and letters signed by hundreds of notable celebrities, actors, and world leaders, including Elvis Presley, Michael Jordan, Neil Armstrong, Margaret Thatcher and Barack Obama.
A section of the exhibit explores Tampa Bay’s 100-year history as a spring training destination for more than a dozen teams, including the Yankees, Phillies, Pirates, Blue Jays, Cubs, Cardinals, and Rays.
This exclusive exhibit connects America’s national pastime with historical events from the region and around the world. On loan from a private collection, with more than 4,600 autographed baseballs in the exhibit, it will create a new destination for sports fans, residents, tourists, and international travelers.
WATCH FOR the St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club to be a national hotbed of Shuffleboard, October 21-25, when it hosts 140 players from around the globe to compete in the 32nd Annual International Shuffleboard Association World Singles Championship.
Men and women from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Japan, Norway, Russia and the United States will be celebrating 100 years of Shuffleboard in the Tampa Bay Area over five days of competition.
The St Petersburg Shuffle Board Club lays the claim of being the World’s Largest Shuffleboard Complex with 65 courts.
Also located onsite is the Shuffleboard Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame contains the world’s most complete collection of shuffleboard irons and a display of historic pucks. It also enshrines shuffleboard luminaries who have graced the courts since they opened in 1923 on Mirror Lake in downtown St. Petersburg.
Shuffleboard will be played in the 2013 Florida International Senior Games & State Championships on Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8 at North Fort Myers Community Park.
The Weekly “What to Watch For in Florida Sports,” is compiled by Florida Sports Foundation Director of Communications, Nick Gandy. Follow the Florida Sports Foundation on Facebook and on Twitter #fla_sports. Visit http://www.flasports.com for more information about the Florida Sports Foundation and the vibrant sports industry in the Sunshine State. Florida is Where The World Comes to Play.
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