Marlins on the Rebound

Things were looking pretty grim for the Marlins. Some thought that 18-17 debacle in Colorado would derail their season...I wondered if they could recover.

Well here are the facts:

1. Since dropping the first three to the Rockies, the Marlins are 4-1. This "nightmare" road trip is now 4-4.

2. Major credit goes to Fredi Gonzalez and Larry Beinfest, for replacing both Ryan Tucker and Mark Hendrickson with Josh Johnson and Chris Volstad. It could not have come a week later.

3. Hanley Ramirez is carrying this team. Last night? Game-winning home run. Remember when he couldn't hit the side of George W. Bush's enormous Crawford, TX barn? All in the past now. This is why he got that hefty contract, and he's earning it all.

So what now?

The Marlins have three games left before the All-Star break. If they can take two of three, they'd cap off the first half with 50 wins (50-45). And let's not forget, they'll have played more road games too.

Quick Notes

I'm going to try and do this once or twice a week. These are just a few observations:


-Jamie Moyer has become so bad late in his career, that he is good. If only Roger Clemens could have learned from him...

-The Braves have signed Jorge Julio. Did the Braves decide that this was cheaper than holding a press conference to concede the season?

-Uggla has looked Uggla since that Walk-Off Granny...(Of course, as I write this, he hits an RBI single.)

-I know it's still early, but looking at the division and Wild Card standings, it is going to be a real fight for the Fish to get a playoff spot.

-Is there anything more boring that off-season football discussion? I'm sorry, but it's the heart of baseball season, and the NBA finals have been extremely entertaining. Save the talk about the Bengals backup OT.

-This weekend's wild ride of a U.S. Open marked the first time I watched golf for more than 30 seconds in a row. I salute Tiger Woods.

-I realize that it is all about the money, but Staples Center turning into the Academy Awards has hurt the team, the "fans" don't even seem to know when to cheer.

-Back to the NBA and money. Is it a bad sign when scouting reports are now telling us how, and in favor of what team, will each game be officiated?

-One more time. How many people are going to have to sue Clay Bennett before people realize what an injustice the Sonics' situation is?

-What the hell, here's another. David Stern is slowly becoming one of the shadiest commissioners in the history of sports. I realize Donaghy is a scumbag, but these officiating rumors, joined with the Seattle situation, ave really got me wondering about this guy.

-Neither KG or Kobe has impressed me at all this series. Paul Pierce is the only "star" who is significantly adding to his legacy.

-Ricky Nolasco's Drug-Free commercial is nothing but high comedy.

-Forget it, I'm mad at the NBA. Oklahoma City? Really?

-I'm almost positive that one of Derek Fisher's three-pointers hit the roof of the Staples Center.

-Having Willingham for interleague play would've been nice. Maybe I just don't like Wes Helms...

-Ryan Tucker looks like he should be on the 90210 remake.

-What happened to Hendrickson? Do the effects of Lasik only last a couple of months?

-Most exciting game, in any sport, that I've watched all week? Turkey vs Cezch Republic in the Euro Cup.

-I've had no complaints with Fredi Gonzalez, but he needs to find a way to manage pitch count better. Every pitcher we have seems overworked.


-Was I the only one hoping for a "Yankees Wang Hurt" headline? I was? Oh well...

Another Awful Call

I'd be remiss in my responsibilities if I didn't point out one absolutely HORRENDOUS call in today's Marlins-Braves game.

In the 8th inning, Mike Jacobs hit a soft grounder up the second base side. He beat the throw by a good step, yet was inexplicably called out by umpire Adrian Johnson (who at first called him safe and changed his mind mid-motion). I've been told that Johnson is a fill-in AAA umpire, but that still doesn't excuse yet another case of atrocious umpiring in the MLB. Another day, another inexcusable call. Instant replay can't come soon enough.

Oh, and this so-called AAA umpire will be calling balls and strikes tomorrow night. Should be fun. Let's hope he doesn't hold a grudge against Fredi Gonzalez, who rightfully got himself thrown out for protesting.

Greg Cote Answers 7 Questions

We at The South Florida Fan (TSFF) are indebted to Greg Cote for being so gracious with our questions. He answered seven of them in his chat today. I give them to you below, with an additional comment from us beneath:

1. Q: With the Hanley Ramirez signing, the Marlins' record, and the poor play from other South Florida teams, do you plan on giving the Marlins some more spirited coverage? They could really use your help!

A: Yeah I've written columns off a handful of games already, most of the spirited variety. Fish have until mid-July (Dolph training camp) to themselves in the market and must take advantage. But the starting pitching is starting to be the concern everyone thought it might be.

Comment: Cote and the Herald have started to jump on board. The Fish need to stay in contention through July to garner perpetual interest.

2. Q: What are your thoughts on the Heat's chances in the lottery tomorrow night? Is the organization doing anything superstitious?

A: No, no rabbit's feet. However Dwyane Wade's feet will be at the lottery. Dwyane just bought his mother a church; maybe he can bribe somebody. As it is the Heat has a 46.5% shot at the 1st or 2nd pick. It's a really bad system that needs reworking. I'll say that now so it doesn't look like I'm whining when the awful Heat get the fourth pick and a much better teams lands Derrick Rose.

Comment: Glad Dwyane Wade will be there. 46.5% for the top 2 picks really isn't all that good, so we should hold off on the Rose vs. Beasley comparisons.

3. Q: Do you support instant replay in baseball, and do you think it will be approved any time soon? Thanks!

A: I don't support instant replay for calls like balls and strikes, but would like to see it for plays such as whether a home run was fair or foul.

Comment: Agreed, except I'd also like plays at the bases to be reviewed.

4. Q: Who makes it bigger in Hollywood: Jason Taylor or Dwyane Wade?

A: Damn good question, which is another way of saying I have no answer. Like both of their futures outside of their sport, but if I had to buystock in one guy's non-sports stardom it might be Wade. His greater appeal to the hip-hop crowd opens a few doors JT might not have. Close call, though.

Comment: Cote has always been fascinated by Hollywood potential. I think Wade has the higher ceiling, but he'll need to regain his top form and stay healthy.

5. Q: Between the Marlins, Heat, Panthers, and Dolphins, who are the five most standup guys? Are they also your favorites?

A: Marlins, Fredi Gonzalez, Luis Gonzalez, Matt Treanor. Panthers, Olli Jokinen. Heat, Wade, Zo, Udonis. Dolphins, Taylor, Channing Crowder, with good early vibes from Tony Sparano. Will miss Zach Thomas. Yes the standup guys tend to be my favorites. The guys who don't duck when things are going wrong.

Comment: Excellent, thorough answer from Cote. Channing Crowder is a surprising inclusion (especially after his infamous "London" comments), but he is a Gator after all. Nice to see Tony Sparano getting some early love from the Miami media.

6. Q: Do you sometimes find yourself rooting against Lebron because he steals so much of Wade's attention (even when Wade won Finals MVP)? I couldn't help myself in the Celtics-Cavs series.

A: No, not really. That's cyclical. In June '06 it looked like Wade had overtaken LeBron. There's enough room for both, just as there was enough for Magic and Bird.

Comment: Apparently that's just me.

7. Q: With Le Batard on sabbatical, do you see yourself stepping in like a backup QB? You could be Steve Young to his Joe Montana...the Herald could have some tough choices.

A: I prefer to think of myself as Lou Gehrig stepping for Wally Pipp. Actually I've written more columns than Dan the past couple of years or so as he's cut back, so taking over this chat every Monday is probably the biggest change for me.

Comment: Any Lou Gehrig (of Columbia fame) reference gets major points at The South Florida Fan.

Thank you to all who participated, and special thanks to Greg Cote for accepting so many questions.

More on Last Night's Debacle

Now that my venom has been spewed adequately in the form of Roget's Thesaurus (or a comparable resource), I should acknowledge the fight in this Marlins team. This would be the second time they've come back from a big deficit, only to lose in startling fashion. Major credit should go to Fredi Gonzalez, Cody Ross, and company for putting together such a thrilling 9th inning barrage.

Let's address Fredi Gonzalez a little more now. Did he make a mistake by bringing Pinto out again for the 10th inning? Pinto already displayed some wildness in the 9th, and it was the two walks in the 10th that did him in.

Marlins Today puts the loss squarely on Fredi for that very reason. I give you Alex Carver's words:

"Renyel Pinto looked uncomfortable but still managed to wriggle out of trouble in the bottom of the 9th to send the game to extra innings. Despite his wildness, Fredi Gonzalez chose to send Pinto back out for another inning. That decision would prove to be the wrong one. Pinto got the first two outs in the 10th but then gave up two walks straight walks. With pinch runner Johnny Cueto standing at second, Janish smacked a tailing changeup to right. Game over.

For those keeping track, that’s three straight losses. Two of them can be blamed on ill advised decisions by Fredi. Hopefully he remembers to bring his brain with him to the yard tomorrow as the Marlins look to avoid the sweep in the finale of this four game set."

While I'm not as critical (after all, Pinto has been fantastic this year), I'm inclined to agree. Let's hope both Marlins Today and The South Florida Fan are singing some praises after tonight's game...where Fredi should bring his brain to the yard (better that than his milkshake).

Cantu Loves it Here, Fredi's Been Here a While

Not only do the fans (especially The South Florida Fan) love Jorge Cantu; apparently the feeling is mutual. Jorge Cantu expressed his love for the Marlins franchise and the city of Miami. Here's a specific quote:

"I love this team," Cantu said Sunday in Milwaukee shortly before the Marlins won the series two games to one. "This team hustles, day in and day out. Look at the way we're playing. We're in first place. Everything is rolling for us. It's a great feeling to be part of a winning team."

With comments like that, it's hard to slam a guy for swinging on 3-0 with the bases loaded...then again, that was poor.

It's still unclear whether Fredi Gonzalez loves the Marlins as much as Jorge Cantu, but he's now the longest-tenured coach in South Florida. Fish Stripes finds that pretty amazing, and we have to agree. A city once led by the holy trio of stalwarts Jimmy Johnson, Jim Leyland, and Pat Riley (with the not-too-shabby Doug MacLean rounding the quartet), now has Fredi Gonzalez (2nd season), Tony Sparano (just started), Erik Spoelstra (really just started), and Coach X (Panthers don't even have a coach yet). Amusing stuff.

Marlins Win, But Play Poorly

Wes Helms smacked the game-winning homer in the 10th inning, igniting the Marlins to a 3-2 win, a 15-10 record, and an impressive series victory in Milwaukee. That's the good.

Now let's focus on the bad. Marlins fans shouldn't be blinded by Helms' late heroics; the Fish were awful this afternoon. It just so happens that the Brewers were even worse (0 for 8 with runners in scoring position). More games like this and the Marlins will quickly plummet out of first place.

Let me highlight one situation in particular:

7th inning, bases loaded with nobody out. Hermida strikes out in humiliating fashion (a truly gruesome at-bat). Willingham follows with a strikeout of his own. Then Cantu comes up and gets the count to 3-0. WHY ON EARTH WOULD HE BE SWINGING AT 3-0???? I can only think of three reasons:

1. Cantu lost all semblance of common sense and defied the team's orders.

2. Fredi Gonzalez gave him the green light (a move so utterly idiotic, it's baffling).

3. Cantu lost track of what the count was.

It was a truly disgraceful situation, and Fredi Gonzalez ought to be held accountable. Don't be fooled by the victory today; the Marlins were lucky as four-leaf clovers.

Now that I've cleared the air, let me close with something more positive. The Marlins return home for a nine-game homestand against the Dodgers, Padres, and Brewers. We should welcome these victors home with open arms, to a city which - as Miami-Forum reminds us - can boast exceptional artistry.

Marlins Come Up Just Short in Frustrating Loss to Pirates

The Marlins lost 3-2 today at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, snapping a 3 game winning streak and marking their first one-run loss of the season.

Today's game was not all bad as Ricky Nolasco pitched for 7 innings, allowing just 3 runs on 5 hits through 6 innings. He had great command of his fast ball and curve ball, and for the first 5 innings, Pirates hitters found themselves constantly staring at called strikes over the plate. Also, the Marlins offense was not asleep as it managed to push across 10 hits including a 3-4 day with a HR from Jorge Cantu (the Marlin worshiped by many TSFF writers including Jay Warman, JSponge, and myself; but not by ASponge until recently). But the Marlins found themselves abandoning runners at crucial times and finished with 8 LOB. In the 9th inning the Marlins were able to get Jeremy Hermida to 2nd with 1 out but Mike Rabelo and Hanley couldn't come through with the much-needed single.

However, the breaking point for me came in the Top of the 7th with the Marlins trailing 3-2. With 2 outs, Hanley Ramirez came up with Amezaga on 3rd and Luis Gonzalez (after a pinch hit) on 1st. Hanley hit a slow rolling ground ball to Pittsburgh 3rd baseman Doug Mientkiewicz who skillfully picked up the ball and threw a dart to 1st. With Hanley's speed it appeared that he easily beat out the throw but 1st base Umpire, Mike Winters, begged to differ. In watching the replay it was clear to me that Hanley beat the throw and the Pirates announcers concurred. So did Fredi Gonzalez as he immediately protested and got tossed from the game.

What angers me is not the fact that the Umpire botched the call (you see, part of the game of baseball is Umpire interpretation). What does is that he called Hanley out to reverse a previous decision in the bottom of the 6th, where Nate McClouth was thrown out at 2nd and was clearly safe. The Pirates ended up converting in that inning anyway with 3 runs. I don't feel it is fair for an official to appease the other team by making a later call at a point in the game where everything is on the line.

Nevertheless, the Marlins lost and have fallen to 12-8 on the year. I guess I shouldn't be so upset, after all, I would have taken 12-8 any day of the week before the season.