The first week of spring baseball
One of the annual rites that give us hope that warm weather will soon be upon us: Spring training. Here’s a look at some of the best shots from photographers around the world as teams prepare for the 2015 season.
- Los Angeles Angels’ Albert Pujols hits balls in a batting cage before a spring training baseball workout Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
- New York Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez, left, leaves the stadium after completing a physical during spring training baseball, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. The first official workout for the full squad is Thursday. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
- The Minnesota Twins begin a morning workout at baseball spring training in Fort Myers Fla., Tuesday Feb. 24, 2015. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
- Baseballs are lined up in the bullpen ready for the first official workout of Rays Spring Training at Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte, Fla., on Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. (Will Vragovic/Tampa Bay Times/TNS)
- A ball and glove are seen during a Chicago White Sox spring training baseball workout Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/John Locher)
- Chicago White Sox’s Zach Phillips warms up before a spring training baseball workout Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/John Locher)
- The Detroit Tigers hold a spring training baseball workout in Lakeland, Fla., Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
- Detroit Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias, left, and pitcher Justin Verlander arrive for a spring training baseball workout in Lakeland, Fla., Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
- Detroit Tigers merchandise is on display in a merchandise trailer before a spring training baseball workout in Lakeland, Fla., Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
- Baseball fan Pat Daltur from Skippack, Pa., watches the Detroit Tigers spring training baseball workout in Lakeland, Fla., Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
- A young Detroit Tigers fan takes photos as players leave the practice field after a spring training baseball workout in Lakeland, Fla., Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
- Detroit Tigers pitchers gather on the a practice field for a spring training baseball workout in Lakeland, Fla., Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
- Kansas City Royals’ Lorenzo Cain during spring training baseball practice Friday, Feb. 20, 2015, in Surprise, Ariz. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
- Colorado Rockies’ Rex Brothers (49) runs a drill during spring training baseball practice Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
- Cincinnati Reds’ Ramon Cabrera runs up a hill during a spring training baseball workout Monday, Feb. 23, 2015, in Goodyear, Ariz. (AP Photo/John Locher)
- Cincinnati Reds’ Johnny Cueto’s hair bounces around as he throws during a spring training baseball workout Monday, Feb. 23, 2015, in Goodyear, Ariz. (AP Photo/John Locher)
- Boston Red Sox’s David Ortiz hugs broadcast baseball analyst and former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, front, during a workout at baseball spring training in Fort Myers Fla., Wednesday Feb. 25, 2015. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
- Boston Red Sox’s David Ortiz takes a breather against the dugout fence as fans watch infielders take fielding drills at baseball spring training in Fort Myers Fla., Wednesday Feb. 25, 2015. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
- Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Alex Cobb (53) warms up during a spring training baseball workout, Monday, Feb. 23, 2015, in Port Charlotte, Fla. (AP Photo/The Tampa Bay Times, Will Vragovic)
- Texas Rangers’ Nomar Mazara talks to two-year-old Colin McMahon during spring training baseball practice Monday, Feb. 23, 2015, in Surprise, Ariz. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
- Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle, center, talks with reporters after a spring training baseball workout in Bradenton, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
- Baltimore Orioles pitcher Tyler Wilson, foreground, runs sprints with teammates during a spring training baseball workout in Sarasota, Fla., Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. The Orioles full squad has it’s first official workout Feb. 25. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
- Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg throws the ball during a spring training baseball workout, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015, in Viera, Fla. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
- Washington Nationals pitcher Casey Janssen sits for a television interview during a spring training baseball workout, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015, in Viera, Fla. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
- Miami Marlins pitcher Dan Haren stretches during spring training baseball practice Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015, in Jupiter, Fla. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
- Seattle Mariners players participate in a drill during spring training baseball practice Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
- San Francisco Giants’ Casey McGehee (14) walks out of the dugout during spring training baseball practice Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
- Fans watch as the Arizona Diamondbacks work out during spring training baseball practice Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
- A young fan watches during a Chicago Cubs spring training baseball workout Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
- St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina swipes at the plate on a defense drill during spring training baseball practice Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015, in Jupiter, Fla. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
- St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny watches his team during a spring training baseball workout Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015, in Jupiter, Fla. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
- Milwaukee Brewers’ Matt Garza catches a ball during a spring training baseball workout Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
- Milwaukee Brewers manager Ron Roenicke watches during a spring training baseball workout Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
- Atlanta Braves’ Jose Veras, center right, and Christian Bethancourt, left, stretch as bullpen coach Eddie Perez, front, looks on during a spring training baseball workout, Monday, Feb. 23, 2015, in Kissimmee, Fla. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
- A fan holds a photo over a fence of Atlanta Braves’ Julio Teheran, from left, Craig Kimbrel, Freddie Freeman and manager Fredi Gonzalez while waiting for Teheran’s autograph as he passes by during a spring training baseball workout, Monday, Feb. 23, 2015, in Kissimmee, Fla. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
- Atlanta Braves pitcher Julio Teheran rests on the bench in the bullpen during a spring training baseball workout, Monday, Feb. 23, 2015, in Kissimmee, Fla. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
- Atlanta Braves pitcher Jose Veras works out with resistance bands during a spring training baseball workout, Monday, Feb. 23, 2015, in Kissimmee, Fla. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
- Toronto Blue Jays players warm up during baseball spring training in Dunedin, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015. (AP Photo/the Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)
- Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Marco Estrada, right, pitches a bullpen session during baseball spring training in Dunedin, Fla., on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)
- Oakland Athletics’ Taylor Thompson jumps during spring training baseball practice Friday, Feb. 20, 2015, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
- Oakland Athletics’ Stephen Vogt (21) walks out of the dugout during spring training baseball practice Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
- Houston Astros pitcher Will Harris, right, listens to instructions to fellow pitchers during a spring training baseball workout, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015, in Kissimmee, Fla. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
- Houston Astros pitcher Scott Feldman reaches for his glove during a spring training baseball workout, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015, in Kissimmee, Fla. (AP Photo/David Goldman)