SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — “Hump Day” will be a bit more literal this week for Rockies catcher Dustin Garneau.
Wednesday is the team’s only off day during spring training, and Garneau plans to spend it atop a camel at the Phoenix Zoo.
“I’m pretty excited about it,” Garneau said. “Charlie Blackmon did it a couple weeks ago and it looked awesome.”
Garneau is one of several Rockies players who plan to spend the day with family visiting Phoenix’s 125-acre zoo, located 11 miles from the Rockies spring training home.
For outfielder Brandon Barnes, father of two, it’s a chance to celebrate.
“It’s the day before my youngest daughter’s birthday, so we’re going to take them to the zoo and have a good day,” he said.
He also is considering getting in on the camel-riding action.
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“There’s a bunch of different things to do, but a camel would definitely be cool,” Barnes said.
Pitcher Jason Motte may be making an appearance at the zoo but he is hoping to keep a low profile.
“I’m going to try not to see anyone baseball related tomorrow,” Motte said. “I love these guys in here but when we do get days off I try to keep it family time.”
Motte is weighing a couple different options on how he’ll spend his day. As for what he’ll do if he runs into Garneau at the zoo, he joked that he is still trying to figure that one out.
“If I see him I’ll say, “Hi,” or I may just walk the other way there’s no way of telling,” Motte said, laughing.
Walking the two-and-a-half miles of zoo paths is not the only thing players will do on their day away.
Pitcher Tyler Anderson said. “I’m going to get a lot of sleep, maybe a car wash. Probably eat some really good food, maybe make some ribs.”
The zoo is not the only attraction Motte has visited with his wife and daughter. The veteran has visited Butterfly Wonderland, just two miles north of Salt River Fields.
“My daughter loved it so that’s all that matters,” Motte said.
The pitcher is not alone in getting out and enjoying what Phoenix has to offer.
“Top Golf, that place is a blast,” Garneau said. “I’ll (also) go shooting a little bit with Tyler Matzek. We go to a couple of gun ranges around here.”
