The baseball oasis
A dozen teams shake off the winter doldrums in the Grand Canyon State, including defending division champs, Oakland, San Francisco and the Chicago Cubs. Nine clubs are clustered around the Greater Phoenix area, three teams make their Spring Training home in Tucson.
Fans headed to The Valley of the Sun can catch the 2003 AL and NL MVPs, Alex Rodriguez and Barry Bonds. Among the stars debuting in spiffy, new uniforms in or around Phoenix are Rich Aurilia (Mariners), Derrek Lee (Cubs), A.J. Pierzynski (Giants), Juan Gonzalez (Royals), Vladimir Guerrero (Angels) and David Wells (Padres.) About 100 miles south in "Old Pueblo" Tucson, Roberto Alomar (Diamondbacks) and Vinny Castilla (Rockies) make their return to the desert for Spring Training, while the White Sox usher in a new era under Ozzie Guillen.
MLB.com contributor Joe Connor -- the author of "A Fan's Guide To The Ultimate Spring Training Experience" -- shares everything you need to know to plan your Cactus League trip. Simply click on any team link below to find the best place to see Barry going yard or to score the first desert autograph from Boomer, Bartolo and many more
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