How long were we gone?

If you couldn't tell by the stale reports and not-so-subtle hints, Christine and I took off for a couple days to visit Mickey Mouse.

We needed a break from this cold and snowy winter, and although it wasn't as warm as we had hoped (and the Warm Valrhona Chocolate Cake wasn't on Narcoossee's menu for Christine's birthday), it was still a nice getaway.

It looks like we missed a lot of SoxandPhils stuff, but it also looks like it's mostly generic opening-of-camp fare. Except for all the buzz surrounding the new look on Jayson Werth that he's not talking about, according to Scott Lauber:

And while the right fielder declined to speak about his runaway beard -- "I'm not going to ask you to explain that thing on your neck," he said to a reporter with a pimple -- he discussed his contract situation, expressing a desire to remain with the Phillies but stopping short of saying he would forego a larger payday to play elsewhere.

Todd Zolecki, who may have a thing for beards, got a little more out of Grizzly Adams:

Q: You want to steal more bases. Speed is a big part of your game. Do you worry the hair piece is going to slow you down?
A: I'm not wearing a hair piece.

Q: No, the beard.
A: No, I'm not worried about it.

Q: Will you taper down for the season?
A: I'm not sure.

Q: It's attractive.
A: Thank you.

Werth's new look inspired me ... to shave off my winter beard this morning. Bring on spring.

[Photo credit: MLB.com]