My Dad Is Going To Fantasy Camp.

by tabler84 on Jan 21, 2009 5:44 PM EST

My 64-year old father leaves on Saturday for Indians Fantasy Camp in Arizona. Naturally, I'm a bit concerned that he'll pull his hammy on the first sprint.

Does anyone have a relative or friend who has been to camp? Or, perhaps you've been to fantasy camp yourself.

I'm proud of my dad. He's had some health issues in the past several years and this has been on his bucket list. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates as a southpaw pitcher out of college but went overseas to serve and never played. He's worked his tail off to get into shape. I've hit the batting cages with him and I've watched him get the old hook back. But he'll be the oldest player on the field.

I'm worrying like he's MY son. I hope someone will talk me off the ledge.

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I’m not going to talk you off the ledge, but I hope you post pictures at some point

by APV on Jan 21, 2009 5:53 PM EST reply actions

He’s sending email updates every day, though I’m not sure about pics. That would be cool.

by tabler84 on Jan 21, 2009 11:43 PM EST up reply actions

And, for what it’s worth, my dad is the guy who was tight with Chip Case growing up. So imagine Chip Case going to Indians Fantasy Camp.

Actually, no offense to Chip, but my dad is almost certainly in far better shape.

by tabler84 on Jan 21, 2009 11:44 PM EST up reply actions

They’ve got to be swimming with medical staff out there. I would imagine it’s a Club Med level of care and attention.

What players will be there?

by Jay on Jan 21, 2009 6:02 PM EST reply actions

Belle, Bradley and Juangone. Concerned yet?

Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.

by westbrook on Jan 21, 2009 6:24 PM EST up reply actions

Bill Bradley?

by PatBordersHelmet on Jan 21, 2009 7:04 PM EST up reply actions

Carmona for Cy Young 2009

by danvail on Jan 21, 2009 7:15 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

That’s BILL BRASKEY!!!!!

Signature to be named later.

by emd2k3 on Jan 22, 2009 11:24 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah… him. That’s exactly who I had in mind.

Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.

by westbrook on Jan 21, 2009 9:32 PM EST up reply actions

Tabler will be there! Seriously! I assume the permed blonde mullet is long gone, though.

Yep, my dad says the med staff is outstanding, and the other campers he’s trained with rave about them. I mean, we’re talking two 7-inning games per day for four straight days. That’s a lot of baseball for anyone.

Baerga will be there; Manning; Dave Nelson; a bunch of 80s players if I remember correctly.

by tabler84 on Jan 21, 2009 11:43 PM EST up reply actions

I’m jealous.

I hear Bob Feller still strikes guys out.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Jan 21, 2009 8:57 PM EST reply actions

Yea, guys like you or me.

Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.

by westbrook on Jan 21, 2009 9:32 PM EST up reply actions

Fantasy camp. So DeRosas wife will be there?

by passed ball on Jan 21, 2009 9:38 PM EST reply actions 2 recs

Hey now?

Signature to be named later.

by emd2k3 on Jan 22, 2009 11:24 AM EST up reply actions

My Dad’s good friend has gone to camp in Winterhaven every year for the last 5 years or so, he absolutely loves it. I’d say he’s just a bit younger than your father, he had no physical issues whatsoever, and he’s not exactly in great shape. And yes, he said that Feller still pitches from the mound at least once during the camp. I really wouldn’t worry.

by millionairesrow on Jan 21, 2009 9:50 PM EST reply actions

My dad went to fantasy camp a few years back for his 50th birthday. He loved the experience and said the nightly roasts with all of the former players was a blast. He actually ended up winning some kind of camp award for his play. They kept detailed stats, gave them full unis but most importantly, my dad got to rub elbows with many players he grew up watching.

I think you’re dad will have a great experience, although it wouldn’t hurt to start stretching now.

by bogey021 on Jan 21, 2009 10:24 PM EST reply actions

Cool, thanks. My dad has always worked out, but has been stretching and doing drills for six months. He went through a dead arm phase recently, but can still bring it at about 64 mph. Heh.

by tabler84 on Jan 21, 2009 11:41 PM EST up reply actions

Teach him to make that 64 mph dance, and we have another Wakefield on our hands.

Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.

by westbrook on Jan 22, 2009 9:01 PM EST up reply actions

I hope for his sake he doesn’t hurt his shoulder…cuz goodness knows Lonnie won’t know what the hell he’s doing with that.

In all seriousness, I wish him the best of luck. I can’t wait to get old and attend fantasy camp with Grady.

by supermarioelia on Jan 21, 2009 10:52 PM EST reply actions 3 recs

ahhhhh weird

Anti-Ben Fran before it was cool.

by Gradyforpresident on Jan 21, 2009 10:57 PM EST up reply actions

I liked your Soloff joke. Very chuckesque.

by NickFantana on Jan 22, 2009 9:16 AM EST up reply actions

A successful parody of another LGT regular by an LGT regular is a special moment indeed.

by jhon on Jan 22, 2009 10:14 AM EST up reply actions

Especially since they’re both doctor-types.

by NickFantana on Jan 22, 2009 10:16 AM EST up reply actions

I wouldn’t call it a successful parody until he throws in some jadrool and cazzi fazzone and bubidabetz

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Jan 22, 2009 12:04 PM EST up reply actions

Mention something about challenging a God-honest blue-collar Clevelander to a fight—then you’ll know what it’s like to be a fan.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Jan 22, 2009 1:33 PM EST up reply actions

Is Joe Eszterhas a TRUE CLEVELANDER?

Signature to be named later.

by emd2k3 on Jan 22, 2009 3:54 PM EST up reply actions

i liked it too.

Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.

by westbrook on Jan 22, 2009 9:02 PM EST up reply actions

I had the opportunity of attending 2 years ago with my dad, brother and brother-in-law. This will be my dad’s 4th year. We all had a great time and would recommend it to anyone. The camp is that much better if you have playing experience. There are “Campers” who show up and take this VERY seriously. The staff/players are top notch. Nothing like drinking a beer with Len Barker after playing a double header. Mudcat Grant and Gary Bell (wow can he drink) have a great time telling stories which can get pretty blue. I enjoyed hitting in the cage at Progressive field prior to camp and at the end of camp your team plays against the pros. I got struck out by Barker on a curve that buckled my knees. The best parts, though are the DVD you get (with action from every game and at the end a personal hi-light reel of your at bats and plays in the field) and the reunion game at Progressive Field. It was just surreal sitting in the dugout looking out at the bleachers/scoreboard. Bob Feller does still pitch and at one point during our game, I looked over and he was all by himself, throwing a ball against a wall and catching it. Lastly, Rick Manning loves him some Rick Manning.

by Mighty1 on Jan 22, 2009 8:39 PM EST reply actions

Wow, that does sound great. I don’t think, if I participated, that that DVD would be the best part by any stretch of the imagination. But what Indians fan wouldn’t like to be struck out by Lenny?

by Jay on Jan 22, 2009 10:45 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks for the info. Great stuff. Last line is classic.

How many players are uber-serious hotshots, and how many are just halfway decent old-timers?

by tabler84 on Jan 23, 2009 11:48 AM EST up reply actions

For the most part the attendees were older (didn’t say old) retired guys (50-60+) who are playing for fun, but there were a couple of guys in their late 30s whos actions and chatter would be what I considered overboard for what the experience is. They are the exception, though. I can give more info on the week if you’d like. You can follow your dad along on the Indians website through the daily camp newsletter they print out with stats and game recaps. Hope he has a great time. If he is interested in collectibles, all the pros will sign. Keep the women from Rhomberg and Charboneau.

by Mighty1 on Jan 23, 2009 2:11 PM EST up reply actions

Keep the women from Rhomberg and Charboneau.

this has the smell of a new banner, I think

by APV on Jan 23, 2009 3:38 PM EST up reply actions

I am still waiting for “READ THIS SHAPIRO”

by Roger Dorn on Jan 23, 2009 4:07 PM EST up reply actions

That’s going up right after “cleveland.com is our bitch”

by Jay on Jan 23, 2009 8:19 PM EST up reply actions

Um, language?

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Jan 26, 2009 1:42 PM EST up reply actions

I think if you can say it on TV you can say it on LGT. Not necessarily the other way around, presumably…

by Logodaedalus on Jan 26, 2009 2:16 PM EST up reply actions

I was just joshin’

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Jan 26, 2009 2:58 PM EST up reply actions

hummus and pita bread

Anti-Ben Fran before it was cool.

by Gradyforpresident on Jan 23, 2009 1:45 AM EST reply actions

I know this title has been up for while, but it really does read like Tabs is bragging. My Dad is Going To Fantasy Camp…..and yours isn’t. Haha just joshin Evan. You stay classy, Rochester.

by supermarioelia on Jan 26, 2009 5:17 PM EST reply actions

I could murder you with an ice pick. Haha just joshin.

No, not a brag. Right now I’m sitting here waiting for the first gameday update from him. I have been tense all day. I want so badly for him to have just one awesome moment; my fear is a pile of whiffs and three errors in the field. He’s worked so hard and I just don’t want him to be embarrassed.

by tabler84 on Jan 26, 2009 7:30 PM EST up reply actions