Clearwater update 2021

Les229 2021-01-22 19:50:24 UTC #1

JANUARY 22, 2021

I am writing this to inform my friends who have enjoyed reading the Clearwater update these past 17 seasons, that after 45 years of living on the road, I have moved back home to Wilmington, Delaware to spend my remaining years with my family. Attending 17 full Spring Training seasons at the ballpark in Clearwater has been a blast, like a kid’s dream come true. The old saying is “All good things must come to an end”, the Clearwater Update has ended, unless someone else wants to pick up the reins.

My health is still relatively good, and I get around fairly well with the help of a cane. I do miss the Florida weather, and am receiving some digs on that from my Clearwater Beach friends. The first thing I had to do was buy a winter wardrobe.

So this spring, I will be trolling the websites for information like most of you. Thanks for all the great conversation and comradery of those who I was fortunate to meet.

jimbomill 2021-01-22 20:12:07 UTC #2

Many thanks for the updates and insights. Enjoy your family time!!

Squire 2021-01-22 21:27:09 UTC #3

Thanks for the updates. As a fellow Wilmingtonian I think the restructured minor leagues will have Jersey Shore (formerly Lakewood) visiting Wilmington on occasion.

andyb 2021-01-22 21:37:58 UTC #4

If it ends up as a 6-team league and in years where they play a 140-game schedule, that might mean 28 games against each team (14 home and away). Lots of chances to watch Mick Abel develop...

Thanks for the updates over the years and welcome back to Delaware.

zambonir 2021-01-22 22:20:01 UTC #5

Crab cakes and cheesesteaks but no grouper! Hope you get to take in a game (perhaps at CBP too) while the calendar still reads 2021.

Les229 2021-01-23 02:13:24 UTC #6

I enjoyed writing the Update and the discussions with the readers. Since I won't be going to the beach every day for lunch, I expect to have more time for the forums.

Les229 2021-01-23 02:15:36 UTC #7

That is a nice ball park that they built down by the river. Again, I have never been in it and am looking forward to it.

Les229 2021-01-23 02:20:41 UTC #8

In a way, it is good to be home, I have a place next to the U of Del, Mine and Joe Biden's Alma Mater. We were there at the same time, but didn't know each other. I am still trying to get used to the cold. It's been in the low 70"s in Clearwater this week.

Les229 2021-01-23 02:25:53 UTC #9

Not sure how that will work about getting into the "Bank". I'm registered to get the shots, but haven't received a date yet.Yeah, there is a difference in the food. I still eat out every day and there are some good restaurants, but so far, the shrimp dishes and grouper sandwiches need work.

zambonir 2021-01-23 02:59:36 UTC #10

I think you'll get your shot long before the Phillies start letting in crowds of any real size....hopefully before Opening Day in any case!

Les229 2021-01-23 03:27:26 UTC #11

Hope So

LoneStarPhan 2021-01-23 07:52:01 UTC #12

Sorry the Clearwater news will not be coming our way this year. I enjoyed your reports each spring.

I am also a fellow Blue Hen, evidently from the same era as you. I did not know Joe Biden either, but I remember that he campaigned for class president our freshman year, so I knew his name from then on.

Les229 2021-01-23 15:28:40 UTC #13

Thing is, I may have played sports against him in high school. He played sports for Archmere Acadamy, and I played for A.I. Dupont and our high schools played each other. I rode around Newark the other day and I have to say, I didn't know the place.

LoneStarPhan 2021-01-23 18:58:03 UTC #14

My time in Delaware was limited to the four years I was at the University. I was an out of state student from Pennsylvania. Turned out that the out-of-state tuition at UDel was less than the in-state tuition at Penn State at that time. It was also a shorter drive to get home. I also probably would recognize little from my time at the University. I know they are tearing down dormitories that were built after I graduated. I had a great college experience at Delaware.

Les229 2021-01-23 21:09:00 UTC #15

Yeah, From what I understand Delaware is heavily endowed and get huge gifts from the DuPont families.Delaware was always one of the schools that you could work part time and afford to attend. That's what I did, It took me 6 years to compete the four. They were good memories. I later started graduate work at Temple while working full time, The train ride up from Wilmington all the way to North Philly got to be too much. I had a nice long talk with Luchessi on one of those train rides.I think he was coming down to visit the Carpenters for his interview.

BostonRoss 2021-01-24 02:36:17 UTC #16

If my meeting had been a week or two earlier last year, I would have gotten to enjoy one last spring training game with you, Les. But when traveling resumes, I’ll be down in Delaware County a lot. Maybe we can get together for a meal or a ballgame.

Les229 2021-01-24 02:56:11 UTC #17

I'd enjoy that Ross. I always enjoyed talking baseball with you. I don't know the restaurants here yet and this tends to be a different lifestyle. I don't know how many fans they are going to allow at the games. If it works like the football games, it will be all for season ticket holders. Let's hope by then, they will have a better grip on this thing.

BostonRoss 2021-01-24 23:28:44 UTC #18

I’ll be able to get some restaurant recommendations from family and friends. Looking forward to the time when I can come down there. I haven’t seen my mom in a long time.

Les229 2021-01-25 03:07:30 UTC #19

I know how it goes, I used to get home once, ot twice a year when they were living That will be good about the restaurants. My knowledge of them has not been upgraded since '75.