SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. – This is my first trip to Arizona.

Why? Well, it's probably not a coincidence that I've been friends with Andy Tarnoff, one of the founders of OnMilwaukee.com for over 20 years, and a baseball fan for as far back in my 42 years I can remember.

The first day of our trip saw me leave Washington, D.C. and its never-ending polar vortex cycle, only to touch down in sunny Phoenix, Ariz., where I felt a sunny 88 degrees burn my pasty skin.

Watching baseball and leapfrogging from winter to summer left me missing spring, which really hasn't come yet to the D.C. region.

Springtime is all about renewal so I'm taking this opportunity to renew a few things this year:

• Obviously, my authorship in this space is the first thing being renewed. It's been six years since I last wrote for OnMilwaukee.com (remember my Phillies/Brewers blogs in 2008?) like this so I figured it would be safest to start with a nice simple list.
• Friendship comes next in the list. This is the weekend I renew friendships started before Bill Clinton ever set his sights on a young Monica Lewinsky.
• Baseball never really leaves me. But committing to a season that lasts 162 games is easier some years than others. This is the year I renew my commitment to the game I love. The Phillies are always my first love, but I enjoy watching every team, visiting new (to me) stadiums and seeing different home crowds enjoying their teams. It will be a pleasure to watch your Brewers – some players I know and a few I want to learn more about.