Baseball Winter Meetings

I had the privilege of attending the Baseball Winter Meetings last week in Orlando, Florida. It's essentially a conference for Major and Minor League execs to hold league meetings, interview potential employees, order products for the upcoming season, attend seminars, and give out awards. It was at the Swan and Dolphin Resort at Disney World. I went with the three owners and also got to meet up with my friend Brittany who interned with the Mariners this past summer. We had an amazing time. When I spotted Giants coach Bruce Bochy two tables down from me at the opening luncheon ... I knew I was among the top dogs. I also got to meet the owner, CEO, and GM of the Seattle Mariners at the affiliate reception. I actually chatted with Chuck Armstrong! We talked about my mission, Mormons in Seattle, and how hard it is to understand Chilean spanish. How cool is that?!? I also got to meet Seattle's new field coach, Eric Wedge ... who, by the way, is such a cowboy. The new bench coach Robby Thompson (former Giant) was telling me some crazy stories about his kids ... which was probably because he had a few too many. The point is ... I was literally living a dream down there. I spent half the time with my jaw open in amazement and the other half trying to act like I was supposed to be there.

Brittany and I ... I love how she is a shade tanner than me. Gimme a break, she's from Florida.

The walkway between the two hotels.

The MLB network was set up in the lobby of the hotel.

This is where they interviewed the big wigs.

You had to have the badge to get anywhere.

This was at the Gala that was supposed to be poolside. That is the President of our league, Lee Landers.

On our day off, we went to Downtown Disney and I had to get the photo with Aurora.

We also went to ESPN's Wide World of Sports. LEGIT.

The big time.

In front of the Dolphin Hotel.

The College Football Awards reception was near our hotel on the Disney Boardwalk on Thursday night. There was a big crowd there waiting around, so we decided to do the same. Then out of nowhere, a bunch of important people start flowing out of the building ... including my favorite tennis commentator, Chris Fowler. So obviously I had to get a pic with him ... at least to show my mother :) She's a big fan too. Then towards the end, Cam Newton came out (2010 Heisman), but he didn't get close to the fans. It was SWEET.

Outside the restaurant.

I guess this guy is a college football commentator ... I think his name Herbie or something.

Me and the very nice and attractive (for his age) Chris Fowler.

I know it's blurry, but this is Cam Newton ... trust me.

On the way down to the Meetings, we went to the ACC Championship game between Virginia Tech and Florida State. One of the owners is a HUGE FSU fan ... and he has connections. So we were 4 rows behind the Seminole bench. Hello!!! It was awesome ... but my boss wasn't too pleased since VT killed them. Oh, and there was some serious tailgating going on before the game. And when I say serious, I mean mucho alcohol.

The golden ticket

The game was in Charlotte, North Carolina ... it's obviously where the NC Panthers play. Very cool stadium.

Check out this trailer we were by ... there were like 4 flat screens around it! Nice.

Dr. Pepper did the honors.

Go Boy Scouts!

Some of the guys I was with.

Oh my, we were so close. It was sweet.

Shot of me after the game.

The Hokies taking the field.

This is a video from the Gala at the Winter Meetings. The band was playing one of my favs from Earth, Wind, and Fire ;)