My son is hoping to meet players and hopefully get some autographs. Where and when is our best opportunity? At games? At practice? -- Russ V.
Both. Fans can watch workouts at Carpenter Complex. Players occasionally stop and sign autographs as they move between fields. The best bet for fans at BayCare is along the left-field line. Get there when the gates open because people rush to those spots.
Best advice to get autographs: Be nice. Be polite.
In my opinion, baseball players sign more autographs over the course of their season than NFL, NBA and NHL players combined. Still, some of the things that people say … yikes. “Come on, sign for my kid. It’s his/her birthday!” … “You’re not going to sign for my kid? Come on, we pay your salary!” … “We came a long way for an autograph! Come on!”
Can you publish the list of restaurant recommendations again? I believe you sent that last year. -- John C.
Last February, I asked Phillies broadcasters for their top three restaurant recommendations for the Clearwater area. They updated their lists this week.
Here is where they love to eat:
• Ruben Amaro Jr.: Beachcomber (Clearwater Beach), Island Way Grill (Clearwater Beach) and Villa Gallace (Indian Rocks Beach).
• Larry Andersen: Bavaro’s (Clearwater Beach), Caretta on the Gulf (Clearwater Beach) and Forlini’s (Clearwater Beach).
• Ben Davis: Bobby’s Bistro (Clearwater Beach), Clear Sky Beachside Café (Clearwater Beach) and Villa Gallace.
• Scott Franzke: The Bait House (Clearwater Beach), Bobby’s Bistro and Southern Fresh (Safety Harbor).
•
Kevin Stocker: Anywhere along the Tampa Riverwalk (Tampa), Bonefish Grill (Clearwater), Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill (Clearwater Beach).
• Tom McCarthy: Clear Sky Beachside Café, Rumba Island Bar & Grill (Clearwater) and Villa Gallace.
•
Gregg Murphy: Bait House, Clear Sky Beachside Café and Columbia (Sand Key).
Here is my top three: Columbia, Cristino’s Coal Oven Pizza (downtown Clearwater) and The Honu (Dunedin).