Tagged: Daytona Cubs
Photo of the Day – Mark Reed
Front Row Joe’s 1000th Game
Front Row Joe at his 1000th consecutive Daytona Cubs home game
“Front Row Joe” Joe Rowe attended his 1000th consecutive home game tonight at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach. Joe has been coming to the Daytona Cubs home games since the teams inception in 1983. He started this streak of 1000 games in 1985 two years after the Chicago Cubs Advanced A team started in Daytona. Front Row Joe was honored at the game tonight with a pregame ceremony and the team wore Retro Jerseys from the 1985 season.
Junior Lake of the Daytona Cubs in his Retro Jersey from 1985
Front Row Joe was presented a new Daytona Beach Cubs jersey with the custom number of 1000 on the back and was recognized for his streak from the Daytona Beach Cubs Booster Club and from Team Owner Andy Rayburn. FRJ gave a short speech and threw out the first pitch and then went to his usual seat to cheer on the team for the evening.
Front Row Joe gives a speech before his 1000th game
Front Row Joe throws out the first pitch before his 1000th game
While I was writing this post I was thinking back about how long I have personally known Joe and what I could share about him from my perspective. One thing that sticks out in my mind is that I have known Joe for 3 years now and we usually chat before each game. The funny thing is we rarely talk about baseball. He always takes that time to ask me about my family and how everything is going in my life. That is just how good of a person he is.
Scott
Carlos Zambrano Rehab Start 5-17-09
Carlos Zambrano on a Rehab Start for the Daytona Cubs on 5-17-2009 in Dunedin, Florida against the Dunedin Blue Jays -Scott Jontes/MiLB.com
In my last post I said I would share with you a little more why I was at the game in Dunedin. Well I am sure by now you have figured out why I drove the 3 hours across state for the for the game. Carlos Zambrano was on a Rehab assignment after injuring his leg trying to beat a throw to first base in one of his starts. When he chose to make his start with the Daytona Cubs I was pretty happy, only problem was it was going to be in Dunedin. The game however worked out to be on a Sunday with a 1:00 start which was a worth it to me to go to the game.
Carlos Zambrano on a Rehab Start for the Daytona Cubs on
5-17-2009 in Dunedin, Florida against the Dunedin Blue Jays -Scott
Jontes/MiLB.com
5-17-2009 in Dunedin, Florida against the Dunedin Blue Jays -Scott
Jontes/MiLB.com
After I decided that I wanted to head over to the game I called another MiLB photographer Jerry Hale and asked him if he wanted to go with me. Jerry agreed to make the trip with and we headed over to Dunedin, had some lunch and then we headed to the ballpark. We arrived about an hour early and Jerry showed me the lay of the land because I had never been to Dunedin before and I must say that it is quite a nice little ballpark.
Carlos Zambrano talks with Daytona Cubs catcher Mark Reed on while Zambrono was on his Rehab Start for the Daytona Cubs on
5-17-2009 in Dunedin, Florida against the Dunedin Blue Jays -Scott
Jontes/MiLB.com
5-17-2009 in Dunedin, Florida against the Dunedin Blue Jays -Scott
Jontes/MiLB.com
In anticipation of Zambrano being at the game quite a few cubs fans were at the ballpark and I even ran into some fans I know from Daytona who drove over to see him pitch too. For the game Zambrano pitched 3.2 innnings he gave up 5 hits and allowed 4 runs to score he took the loss. He looked liked he was in good spirits and he took time to sign autographs for the fans after the game.
Carlos Zambrano on a Rehab Start for the Daytona Cubs on
5-17-2009 in Dunedin, Florida against the Dunedin Blue Jays -Scott
Jontes/MiLB.com
5-17-2009 in Dunedin, Florida against the Dunedin Blue Jays -Scott
Jontes/MiLB.com
Carlos Zambrano signs autographs for fans after his Rehab Start for the Daytona Cubs in Dunedin, Florida against the Dunedin Blue Jays -Scott
Jontes/MiLB.com
Jerry and I only stayed a few more innings after Zambrono came out of the game which was fine by me. It was brutally hot that day and we had a long drive ahead of us to get home. It turned to be a fun trip and I am really glad that I went.
Scott
Small Ball
Marwin Gonzalez of the Daytona Cubs (Scott Jontes/MiLB.com)
This has to be one of my favorite bunt photos that I took this year and maybe the best bunt photo that I have taken. What I really like about the photo is how focused he is on the ball and also where the ball is in the frame. I think what makes this photo is it he is not making contact with the ball. I took this photo in Dunedin, Florida on a very hot Sunday afternoon when the Daytona Cubs were playing the Dunedin Blue Jays. In my next post I will share a little more of why I drove the 3 hours to Dunedin to cover a game. Until then I have added a few more photos below of Marwin from this season.
Marwin Gonzalez of the Daytona Cubs (Scott Jontes/MiLB.com)
Marwin Gonzalez of the Daytona Cubs (Scott Jontes/MiLB.com)
Scott