Spring is in the air

After this nasty winter of seemingly endless snow and ice and colder-than-normal


AP Photo
Phillies starting pitcher delivers a
pitch during a workout
Monday in Clearwater, Fla.

 temperatures, any thoughts of spring are welcome.

This week, there are three.

First, there's the weather, which later this week will see forecast highs near 60 or above.


AP Photo
Russian model Irina Shayk
graces the cover of the
2011 Sports Illustrated
swimsuit edition.

On Monday, the Phillies pitchers and catchers held their first workout of spring traning in Clearwater, Fla.

Then on Tuesday, Sports Illustrated released its annual swimsuit edition. The coveted spot on the cover went to Russian model Irina Shayk, girlfriend of soccer star Ronaldo.


Who cares what that groundhog thinks? Every year, these are the signs that spring is in the air.

One week to go

As we dig out from under another 20 inches of snow brought on by Wednesday's blizzard, here's a happy thought: The first workout for Phillies pitchers and catchers is next Thursday in Clearwater, Fla.

Just 7 days away!!!

Four weeks to go

Let the countdown begin. It's only 28 days until Phillies pitcher and catchers report to Clearwater, Fla., for spring training.

Woo hoo!

Warming thoughts

Has the cold, bitter January air got you in the dumps? Well, here's a warming thought:

Five weeks from today, the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies open spring training in Clearwater, Fla.