January 14, 2010

Hey guys,

Happy New Year!  I know it’s been a while since I last blogged but I’ve been trying to catch up on some rest and relaxation.  I’ve really been enjoying the off-season and now have quite a few things to update everyone on.

As many of you probably know, shortly after the season ended I surprised the guys in my family with a golf trip to Scotland.  For months I had them thinking we would be doing a tour of the northwest, hitting courses in Oregon, Washington, and Canada - all part of my secret plan so they’d be sure to pack their passports.  I planned the trip through an international travel company and the night before we were scheduled to leave I revealed my plan that we’d actually be spending six days teeing off at some of the world’s best courses in Scotland.  We played Balcomie Links in Fife, the Old Course at St. Andrews, Murfield and Carnoustie.  It was a trip of a lifetime and my wife Catie and I had so much fun planning it.  One of the best parts of the whole thing was seeing their faces the night I surprised them with Scotland!

Once I was back in the States I had a minor surgery on my left thumb.  The surgery went well and the thumb feels great.  After surgery I was left with a cast on my hand and doctors orders not to do much.  No baseball, no golf, basically a whole lot of nothing…except watching football.  Fortunately for me, December is a great time to be stuck on the couch…I think I saw every college football game played.  The cast definitely didn’t keep me from going to the SEC Championship at the Georgia Dome, however. 

The good news is my thumb feels great now and I’m on track to be ready for Spring Training.  I started hitting again this week and all is well!  I feel really good…no problems with my thumb and I’m just excited to be getting back in the swing of things.  “Ho Jo” (Met’s hitting coach, Howard Johnson) came down to Atlanta this week and we were able to get some work in together in the cages and on the field.  Next thing you know I’ll be heading to Port St. Lucie in mid-February for Spring Training.  I’m definitely excited to join Mets camp this year and I’ll be sure to check back in with you guys from Florida.

 

Another highlight from my off-season was a wedding anniversary beach trip.  Catie and I, along with a few friends, fled the freezing cold weather of Atlanta a couple of weeks ago and headed south to Mexico.  Our favorite spot is Punta Mita and ever since we spent our honeymoon there we’ve made it an annual trip. 

I’m looking forward to another season getting underway.  I’ll talk to you guys from Port St. Lucie next month! 

 

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Best,
Jeff