The Wandering Disciple

Winter the Dolphin was a star of the Tampa Bay Area. She entertained thousands of visitors each year at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and inspired the world with her rescue story that was the basis of a book which later became a Hollywood film. In 2005, Winter was found trapped in a crab trap off the east coast of Florida. The injury resulted in the loss of her tail and later she would receive a prosthetic tail. The story of rescue and rehabilitation became the premise for the book and movie Dolphin Tale. Winter lived happily at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium where she spent time playing with her trainers and showing the world how she wasn't letting her disability hold her back. Winter became ill this month and despite the best efforts of her staff, she died Thursday night in the arms of her care team. In honor of this amazing 16-year old dolphin who was an inspiration to people with disabilities, today's Photo of the Day is in memory of Winter the Dolphin. (Photo: May...

Nicholas the Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin gives a smile as he swims in his new home at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Nicholas and his mother were rescued in 2012 after becoming stranded near Gibsonton, Florida. Both dolphins suffered severe burns and Nicholas's mother died from her injuries. The staff at the aquarium provided round the clock care for Nicholas and he recovered and is now a permanent resident of the aquarium. He can be seen enjoying his home on the dolphin terrace overlooking Clearwater Bay. (Photo: May 18, 2019)

Dunedin Blue Jays hitter Norberto Obeso loosens up before at at-bat during a Florida State League game against the St Lucie Mets. Dunedin is the Advanced-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays and marks roughly the midway point on the path to the pros. (Photo: May 4, 2019)

Once the spring training home of the Philadelphia Phillies, Jack Russell Memorial Stadium has once again been resurrected for professional baseball, this time serving as temporary home of the Dunedin Blue Jays during the 2019 Florida State League season. Jack Russell served the Phillies from 1955-2003. Afterwards is has served as the home field for Clearwater High School and St Petersburg College. But it was called back into service for the Blue Jays while their stadium in Dunedin gets remodeled. (Photo: May 4, 2019)

A patrol car from the Clearwater Police Department sits on a special detail at a Philadelphia Phillies spring training game at Spectrum Field.  Whether protecting a stadium full of spectators or patrolling the streets of downtown Clearwater, the Clearwater Police Department is tasked with keeping the citizens and visitors of Clearwater safe.  Led by Chief Daniel Slaughter, the department is leading the way into the future by providing a culture of putting public safety first by ensuring the safety of all people in the city.  (Photo: March 16, 2019)

Bright House Field in Clearwater is consistently voted as the top baseball facility in Florida.  Built in 2004. Bright House Field is the spring training home of the Philadelphia Phillies and regular season home of the Clearwater Threshers of the Florida State League.  The stadium has seating for 7,000 but the grass berms help swell attendance to 8,500.  (Photo: May 17, 2008)

One of the top rated facilities in Florida, Brighthouse Networks Field is home to the Florida operations of the Philadelphia Phillies. Opened in 2004, it is home to the Phillies spring training games as well as the regular season home of the Clearwater Threshers. It also hosts the annual Big East NCAA Championship tournament. (Photo: May 17, 2008)

Clearwater, Florida: The Gulf Coast League Phillies (GCL Phillies) are the Rookie League affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. The GCL Phillies play in the West Division of the Gulf Coast League. The team was founded in 1984 and play at the Carpenter Complex in Clearwater. The roster is comprised of players in their first year of professional baseball and rehabbing players. The GCL Phillies won the league championship during the 2008 season. For photos from the GCL Phillies, visit my GCL Phillies photo page. Here you can find game photos and player photos.

Clearwater, Florida: The Sarasota Reds dropped a close contest against the Clearwater Threshers 3-2 on Saturday night at Bright House Field in Clearwater. Both clubs took a 2-2 tie into the bottom of the ninth where the home team Threshers knocked home a run to earn the walk-off win. The Threshers jumped out to the lead in the fourth inning. Jake Blalock broke the scoreless tie with a solo home run to left field. Gus Milner followed by drawing a walk. Then Jay Miller drove him home with a triple to right, giving the Threshers a 2-0 lead. The Reds battled back to tie the game an inning later. Chris Heisey drew a one out walk to get things going. Then Jason Louwsma cleared the bases with a two run homer to tie the game 2-2. The game would remain tied until the bottom of the ninth when Reds pitcher Logan Ondrusek got into a jam. John Urick led off the inning with a double to left. Milner then drew a walk and Miller was hit by a pitch to load the bases for the Threshers. Ondruse...

Clearwater, Florida: Bright House Field in Clearwater is the home to the Florida operations of the Philadelphia Phillies organization. The stadium is the spring training home of the Philadelphia Phillies and the regular season home of the Clearwater Threshers of the Florida State League. The stadium also host numerous high school, collegiate and amateur games as well. Bright House Field hosted the 44th annual Florida State League All-Star Game in 2005. Opened in 2004, Bright House Field is often considered the innovator in spring training ballpark design. The stadium features a boardwalk, berm seating, upper deck seats, air-conditioned suites, team store, tiki bar, kids play area and much more amenities for the whole family to enjoy. The stadium can has 7,000 fixed seat but the berm and boardwalk areas can help push the attendance even higher. The single game attendance record is 10,724 set on March 22, 2010 when the Phillies hosted the New York Yankees. The stadium cost $28 mil...

Clearwater, Florida: The Clearwater Threshers are the Class A-Advanced affiliates of the Philadelphia Phillies. The Threshers play in the North Division of the Florida State League. The Clearwater franchise was established in 1985 as the Clearwater Phillies. The club was rebranded as the Threshers in 2004 in conjunction with their move to a new ballpark. Many major league stars have passed through Clearwater on their way to the big leagues. This list of stars includes Cole Hamels, Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and more. They were even managed by a Phillies great and hall of famer, Mike Schmidt during the 2004 season. The franchise has just one league title in their possession. In 2007, the Threshers defeated the Brevard County Manatees to win their lone title. The Threshers play their 70 game home schedule at Brighthouse Networks Field. The 7,000 seat stadium is one of the best in the Florida State League. Click on the photo above to visit my Clearwater Threshers photo gallery. He...