CHRISTMAS DAY

On Christmas Day, twelve of us went to the Francisco Grande Hotel and Resort, which used to be where the San Francisco Giants used to have their spring training. They eventually moved to Phoenix because the players weren't able to get enough night life. There are still pictures around as reminders.

It's hard to see in this picture, but the pool is in the shape of a baseball bat, and the hottub is shaped like a baseball.

The hotel has outdoor steps that resemble those in a baseball stadium.
The bar is named after John Wayne who had a ranch in the area. It was known for having Hollywood stars visit like Dale Robertson and Pat Boone.

The Giants were here for twenty years, followed by the Angels who stayed two years. Now it's fields are used by several types of sports for training and some buildings as rehab facilities.