Hey!  This is Barret Browning signing on for my first blog for MLB.com.  I’d first like to thank MLB.com and MiLB.com for the opportunity to share my experience in the Arizona Fall League with all the great fans of this game and website.  It is a great honor to be chosen to write this blog for such a prestigious site.  Again, this is my first time doing something like this so hang in there with me.
 
I am a country boy from good ole’ Jesup, Georgia.  I come from a military family as my dad, two grandfathers, and both brothers have served our country in various military branches.  I am also a huge believer in Christ who is solely responsible for all of my many blessings and salvation.  I was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels of Aneheim in the 28th round of the 2006 draft.  It was a great feeling to finally sign professionally after being drafted three previous times (Red Sox, Cubs, Rockies) and choosing to go to school.  I attended college at Middle Georgia College, Chipola College, and Florida State University.  I enjoyed my time in college, and experienced many things that no signing bonus could replace.
 
My first year in professional baseball I played in Orem, Utah for the Orem Owlz.  Little did I know what I was in for.  I had the chance to play under Manager Tom Kotchman (who also is the scout who signed me) and pitching coach Zeke Zimmerman.  Playing for these two men is something I wish everyone in the world could have the chance to experience.  I have to say the number one thing I learned from them is what it means to wear The “A” on your chest.  The Angels teach their players early on how to play the game the right way, and how to represent yourself in a respectable manner.  My second year I played in Low A Cedar Rapids for the Kernels.  I finished the season there strong, with good numbers, being selected to the post-season All-Star team, but without a championship ring.  Going into the 2008 season I carried with me a hunger to prove myself at the next level, and a strong desire to earn a championship ring after being beat out of the playoffs just months earlier.

The 2008 season brought with it several firsts for me.  Some were welcomed, and others were not.  I started the season in High A Rancho Cucamonga, where, for the first time in my professional career, I was not putting up the numbers that I expected to.  I had heard that both pitchers and hitters numbers usually go up when they reach the California League, but I was determined to overcome the hype.  Didn’t happen!  It was at this point in my career I learned what I believe to be the most important lesson any athlete can learn.  Have a short memory.  I was then promoted, also a first in my career, to double A Arkansas during the All-Star break.  I joined the Travelers rejunvenated, and expecting to turn my season around.  With the promotion came more hard times, and more lessons learned, but hey, that is what the minor leagues are for.  As we entered the playoffs, I had made up my mind that it was time to put up or shut up.  And did we ever!  The Arkansas Travelers are your 2008 Texas League Champs!
 
After getting five greatly appreciated, but short, days at home I reported to Tempe, Arizona to our spring training complex.  The Angels brought us in early to prepare for the Arizona Fall League.  A week and a half later we (Nick Green, Mark Trumbo, Chris Pettit, Tim Duff, Bobby Mosebach, David Herndon, and myself) made our way over to Scottsdale, Arizona.  We have had three practices so far consisting of batting practice and bull pens.  You can see the excitement on all of the players and coaches faces as we begin our new season.  These past few days have been used to get acquainted with one another, learn names, and catch up with old friends as well.
 
I will now retire into my double, hard as a rock, bed at the Days Inn Scottsdale with my cute yellow comforter with pretty little flowers on it, and rest my bones for tomorrows grind.  Thank you to all of you who have taken the time to read these words.  I promise from now on there will be more on my experience in the Fall League and less history of my life.  Hopefully you all now know a little about me, where I come from, and you will be able to read these entries and enjoy this ride with me.  God Bless!
 
Verse for the day:  “O my God, I trust in thee:  let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.” Psalm 25:2