Day Nine Hundred and Fifteen

The Legend Series

Adam traveled (safely) to Panama City, Panama yesterday.

The Marlins are playing the Yankees in a two-game Spring Training exhibition series to honor baseball's greatest closer of all time…Mariano Rivera.

Rivera played 19 years in Major League Baseball, wearing the Yankee pinstripes his whole career. In 1,115 appearances, he saved 652 games and finished 952 of them. He's a 13-time All-Star and a 5-time World Series Champion. And at the end of last season, he chose to retire. He was an incredible baseball player, but maybe even better than his numbers, is the high level of respect he earned from his peers, fans, family, and friends for the way he carried himself throughout his career. Mariano Rivera is a strong Christian man and one whom Adam has looked up to for a very long time. So when Adam stepped off the bus yesterday, greeted by the shake of Mo's hand, I can only imagine the honor he felt.

"La Serie De La Leyeda"

The Legend Series.

The warmest "Welcome" from #42.

(And it really is warm there! Something like 98 degrees!)

With some time to spare between arriving to the Trump Ocean Club International Hotel and an 8:00 PM gala dinner, Adam sat down for a little lunch. He ordered the only thing on the menu that didn't include fish..but had no idea what exactly it was that he was ordering. All he knew: it had ham somewhere in it. He texted me, "I ordered some Spanish ham croquettes. No idea what a croquette is, but everything else is seafood." I died laughing! We don't eat fish in this family! He was a little apprehensive about his selection, but when his croquettes came out, he was surprised - in a good way - to discover that they're comparable to a corn dog…only with ham! Yum!

And of course, no trip would be complete without a sip of the local beer.

Adam liked it. Not weird.

The event highlighting Friday's itinerary was a gala dinner to benefit the Mariano Rivera Foundation. All proceeds went to Children's Hospital in Panama City.

Mariano himself, speaking at the gala.

What an incredible man.

And what an honor to be in his presence.

Adam texted me last night and said, "This is better than I deserve, Hon." He is unspeakably grateful for this opportunity that the Marlins have given him and will cherish this trip for the rest of his life. Especially if he strikes out a Yankee or two ;)

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As far as I know, Adam will throw tomorrow (Sunday) against the Yankees in relief. Currently as I type, Saturday's game is in the Top of the 4th and it's possible (slightly possible) that he'd throw tonight. Guess we'll have to wait and see!