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Toronto Blue Jays players arrive for work outs at Bobby Mattick Training CenterTommy Gilligan

Here at Major League Baseball spring training, everyday is like Christmas for the players.

Each morning the clubhouse employees – or clubbies as they are affectionately known – of the Toronto Blue Jays are busy distributing various large boxes loaded with goodies that are awaiting the players in front of their locker when they arrive to get ready for work.

Earlier in the week players were seen ripping open the boxes that contained either brand new footwear or custom gloves that have been on order for weeks. And it's usually not just one pair of shoes or one glove or catcher's mitt, but several.

Here on Tuesday at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium, it was sunglasses day.

Representatives from a major sports clothing and accessories company infiltrated the clubhouse before the players departed for the Bobby Mattick Centre where the daily workouts are held.

The sales reps were armed with large cardboard trays filled with nifty, sporty sunglasses of varying colors and styles. And the players were all over them.

One large group formed near the exit door, trying on various pairs and holding a portable mirror at arm's length to help them determine if they liked the look.

Infielder Jake Fox, who was signed to a minor league contract by the Blue Jays in December with an invite to spring training, was having some trouble finding a pair that he liked.

"I got a big nose," Fox was heard saying to one of the reps who was holding out several makes and models of sunglasses. "Whatever you think will fit my big nose and face."

Fox eventually found a pair to his liking and after getting a nice case in which to keep the eyewear safe happily made his way back to his locker with his stash.

Word in the Blue Jays clubhouse was circulating Tuesday morning that Russell Martin will be catching Wednesday's bullpen of pitcher R.A. Dickey to get the new catcher used to tracking the knuckleball.

But apparently the two got together on an informal basis early Tuesday morning at the stadium in a back field away from prying cameras for a little bit of catch and throw.

No word yet on how that went.

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