PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies could pack their Spring Training truck blindfolded at this point.
But they made things easier on themselves Friday morning, when they loaded the truck for its annual 1,058-mile trek from Citizens Bank Park to Bright House Field in Clearwater, Fla., where pitchers and catchers will have their first workout on Thursday. The truck is loaded with everything from uniforms and baseballs to golf clubs, the Phanatic's infamous hot dog launcher and one canoe.
No offense to the groundhog in Punxsutawney, Pa., but the Phils' truck leaving South Philly for sunny Florida is the unofficial beginning of spring in the Delaware Valley.