SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Ever wonder what a Spring Training day is like for two big leaguers who are also roommates and best buds?
Welcome to the Wittz-Carlton.
Before the two left for the World Baseball Classic, the MLB video team followed Royals infielders and roommates Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino around for a "day in the life" snapshot. This year, Pasquantino is staying at Witt’s house in Arizona, along with Witt’s new puppy, Barry, a bernedoodle adopted this past offseason by Witt and his wife, Maggie. It’s safe to say that Barry was the star of the show (OK, maybe we are biased).
Still dark outside, the day began at 6 a.m. sharp. At that time, Pasquantino said he was on his fifth cup of coffee, had done 900 pushups and done red-light therapy (note: this was not fact checked).
“What don’t I do in the morning?” Pasquantino said.
Pasquantino and Witt brought the camera crew through a tour of the home, showing off all of the trinkets and sports memorabilia, including the baseball cards of every player who has stayed there throughout the years.
Then the two headed off to work, carpooling in Pasquantino’s minivan.
“I was on FaceTime with Bobby and I said, ‘Should I get a minivan this spring?’” Pasquantino said. “And he said, ‘Yeah, you have to.’ And I said, ‘OK.’ That was it.”
It was a typical day of baseball workouts -- baserunning drills, defensive work and live batting practice -- but when Pasquantino is mic’d up, it adds an extra level of insight. Like when he got Royals Hall of Famer George Brett to say something (note: it’s not fit for print).
Back at the Wittz-Carlton in the afternoon, Barry made an appearance and all three roommates hung out, along with Padres infielder Clay Dungan and Maggie Witt.
Bobby took the crew through his impressive card collection. Pasquantino went through the chores list.
“Pick up dog poop?” Pasquantino said. “Nobody’s picking up dog poop. Don’t kid yourself. Nobody.”
Then Pasquantino made dinner. On the menu: steak and potatoes. Barry was the sous chef, of course. What came out of the oven, well, it was not exactly steak and potatoes. But we are not here to judge, only observe.
Raw eggs made an appearance again, a callback to the last day-in-the-life video Pasquantino appeared in with MLB.
“Oh, you need one?” Pasquantino asked Witt, pulling an egg out of his apron.
“This is how you do it,” Pasquantino said as he cracked an egg for Witt.
“Thank you,” Witt said as the two clinked together their matching mugs aptly initialed ‘B’ and ‘V.’
And there you have it. Life as a big leaguer in Spring Training. As glamorous as it sounds. And even better with your best friend by your side.