The Wandering Disciple

When you say the word Fenway, the first thing that comes to mind is the iconic home of the Boston Red Sox. But nestled along the bay in Dunedin is the Fenway Hotel. Built in 1927, the historic jazz era hotel is rich in history. In addition to a hotel, the Fenway was home to the first radio station in Pinellas County, two colleges, a private club and the head offices of the Taoist Tai Chi Society. A major renovation/restoration took place in 2007 and today the hotel is part of Marriott's Autograph Collection. (Photo: May 1, 2021)

Standing on the edge of Hammock Park, the Andrews Memorial Chapel has served the residents of Dunedin for over 130 years. The Chapel is named after William Andrews, a resident that was killed while riding a horse during a violent storm. The original church was built on the corner of Highland and Scotland but was relocated to its present location at the entrance to Hammock Park in 1970. The Dunedin Historical Society orchestrated the move which required the church to be cut in two and reassembled. Following a restoration, the church reopened as a popular wedding venue. (Photo: May 24, 2020)

One year and $102 million dollars later, the Toronto Blue Jays had a new look for their thirty year old spring home in Dunedin, Florida. At the conclusion of spring training 2019, work began on renovations to both the main stadium and their nearby practice facility. By the time spring training rolled around in 2020, the Blue Jays were greeted with a new look to their southern home. The updated TD Ballpark featured a bunch of enhancements to the fan experience inclduing new seating options, new team store, renovated suites, 360 degree boardwalk, new videoboard and sound system and expanded concession. Unfortunately the inaugural season of TD Ballpark was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the stadium sits ready to host the Blue Jays and their minor league affiliate Dunedin Blue Jays for the years to come. (Photo: May 1, 2020)

A late fall cold front churns up the Gulf of Mexico at Honeymoon Island State Park.  With each cold front that dips into the Sunshine State, the temperatures drop and the wave heights pick up all over the Gulf coast.  (Photo: November 11, 2009)

A view of Florida Auto Exchange Stadium as seen from the first base seating section.  Built in 1990, the stadium seats 5,509 fans and is home to the Toronto Blue Jays during spring training and the Dunedin Blue Jays of the Florida State League.  (Photo: April 26, 2008)

The sea grass blows in the wind at Honeymoon Island State Park. The barrier island near Dunedin is a popular spot on Florida’s Gulf Coast. (Photo: November 11, 2009)

The sea grass blows in the wind on a windy fall day at Honeymoon Island State Park.  Originally named Hog Island, it was split from neighboring Caladesi Island by a hurricane in 1921.  In the late 1930's, a New York developer marketed the island as a newlywed destination called Honeymoon Island.  Today it is a 200 plus acre state park.  (Photo: November 11, 2009)

Knology Park, now known as Florida Auto Exchange Stadium, has been the Florida base for the Toronto Blue Jays since its consturction in 1990. Although its name has changed several times in its history, its tenant has remained the same since opening day. It is the spring training home of the Toronto Blue Jays and the regular season home of the Florida State League Dunedin Blue Jays and Dunedin High School. (Photo: April 26, 2008)

Dunedin, Florida: Located on the Gulf of Mexico in Pinellas County lies the picturesque Honeymoon Island. With over 2,800 acres of wildland and 4 miles of beaches, the island is home to many Florida native plants and wildlife. The island was once much larger, but was split in two by a major hurricane in 1921. The result was two islands, Hog Island and Caladesi Island separated by Hurricane Pass. Hog Island was later purchased by Clinton Washburn, an New York developer in 1939. Washburn built cottages and marketed the island as a honeymoon getaway for newlywed couples. The island was then renamed Honeymoon Island. The island remained a prominent vacation spot until World War II when the cottages fell into disrepair. The State of Florida took possession of the island and it became part of the Florida State Park system. The cottages were removed and the island was attached to the mainland via the Dunedin Causeway. This resulted in more than 900,000 annual visitors to the park. ...

Dunedin, Florida: It took thirteen innings to determine a winner but when it was all said and done, the Sarasota Reds fell to the Dunedin Blue Jays 3-2 on Sunday afternoon at Knology Park. Like the night before, the Reds jumped out to an early lead. Chris Valaika delivered a two out single to right to put a runner on the bases. Juan Francisco drove home the runner with an RBI double to left to give the Reds a 1-0 lead. The Reds would get another run in the top of the third to increase their lead. Justin Turner drew a walk to get things going. Valaika then singled to left, advancing Turner to third base. Francisco would pick up his second RBI of the afternoon by driving home Turner with a ground out to first, increasing the Sarasota lead to 2-0. The Blue Jays cut the lead in half during the bottom of the fourth inning. Sean Shoffit was hit by a pitch to put a runner on first. Shoffit stole second and then later scored on an RBI double by Brian Dopirak to cut the lead in half 2...

Dunedin, Florida: The Sarasota Reds held off a late inning charge by the Dunedin Blue Jays to walk away with a 6-4 on Saturday night at Knology Park. The Reds took the lead first and never relinquished the lead to earn the road win. The Reds broke the scoreless tie in the top of the fourth inning. Drew Stubbs led off the inning with a triple to right field. Carson Kainer plated the run with a ground out to third, scoring Stubbs. Jason Louwsma would then follow with a double to center. Louwsma would move to third on ground out by Justin Tordi and then later score on an RBI single by Anthony Esquer to give the Reds a 2-0 lead. The Reds would add another run to their total in the top of the sixth inning. The inning once again got started with an extra base hit by Stubbs, this time a double to left. Stubbs would steal third and then score on an RBI single by Louwsma to increase the lead to 3-0. The Blue Jays picked up their first run in the bottom of the sixth inning. David Smith do...

Dunedin, Florida: Florida Auto Exchange Stadium in Dunedin is the home to Florida operations of the Toronto Blue Jays. The stadium is the spring training home to the Toronto Blue Jays as well as the regular season home to the Dunedin Blue Jays of the Florida State League and the Dunedin High School baseball program. Built in 1990 on the site of the former Grant Field, Florida Auto Exchange Stadium is one of the top five facilities to catch a spring training game according to Sports Illustrated. The stadium has 5,510 seats and has three picnic areas along with air-conditioned skyboxes. The stadium has been the Florida home of the Blue Jays since its construction. In fact, the Blue Jays have held spring training in Dunedin ever since their inaugural season in 1977. They came close to holding regular season games here in 1995 during the Major League Baseball strike. When the league proposed using replacement players, the Blue Jays looked to move their games to Dunedin due to an Ontar...

Dunedin, Florida: The Dunedin Blue Jays are the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. The Blue Jays are currently in the Northern Division of the Florida State League. Organized in 1985, the Blue Jays are the second oldest team in the Florida State League. Many major league stars have gotten their start with Dunedin, the list of players includes Roy Halladay, Adam Lind, Travis Snider, Vernon Wells and many more. Dunedin Stadium, formerly known as Knology Field, is the home of the Dunedin Blue Jays. This 5,000 plus seat stadium hosts the Blue Jays for their 70 game home schedule. The Blue Jays have yet to record a League Championship, but they have two Division Titles in their possession. They were the division champs during the 2006 and 2008 seasons. Click on the photo above to view my Dunedin Blue Jays photo gallery. The page contains game photos, player photos and photos of Dunedin Stadium. Updated November 26, 2010