Spain vs. Russia at 2:30 EST

It's an extraordinarily busy day in the South Florida sports scene. The Marlins are currently playing (and losing), the NBA Draft is tonight, and there are rumors swirling everywhere.

If you want a welcome distraction, I strongly encourage you to give Spain vs. Russia a look today. The winner will battle Germany for the Euro 2008 Cup.

Spain comes in as the favorite, but the Russians have been awfully good. Spain also has a reputation for choking in big games...in other words, don't count out the Russians.

Either way, we should have a great finals matchup. Germany vs. Spain would be a scintillating contest between giants (with some lingering resentment from the Spanish Civil War...see Orwell's Homage to Catalonia). Even better, how about the explosive history between Germany and Russia (do I need to go into details?) Take a break from NBA Draft talk and watch Spain take on Russia.

Willingham Healed. The Hammer is Back!

How long have we been awaiting Josh Willingham's return? Since the ides of April, practically, which would be the appropriate month for a baseball soothsayer (see Caesar, Julius and Shakespeare, William for more details). Okay, it's really been since April 27th...only 12 days off.

Just how good was Willingham before back trouble sent him to the sidelines?

He was hitting .341/.406/.627 (AVG/OBP/SLG) with 6 HRs, 16 RBI, and 16 runs scored. Imagine what those numbers could do for the Marlins offense now.

The bigger question, of course, is how his return will affect the playing time of others. Luis Gonzalez will assuredly be the one who suffers most, but expect Luis to still get a fair share of playing time. Willingham will probably rest every few days to lower strain on his back, and Gonzalez could get some starts in right field over Jeremy Hermida (what a great defensive alignment that is...Willingham-Ross-Gonzalez...easily the worst in baseball).

Should Gonzalez be given the starts over Hermida? Let's break down their numbers:

Gonzalez: .274/.357/.415, 5 HRs, 29 RBI. Of note: With runners in scoring position, he's batting .357.

Hermida: .272/.330/.434, 8 HRs, 37 RBI.

Their numbers are basically about even, with Hermida the better defensive player and the one with more upside. As much as I've enjoyed Gonzo, he's the odd man out.

Remember Burke Badenhop?

Once upon a time, there was a fifth starter for the Marlins named Burke Badenhop. Between an off-day, increased production from Nolasco and Miller, and a shortage of bullpen arms, Mr. Badenhop was relegated into a purgatory of sorts (not quite as frightening as Dante's, but an unsettling one nevertheless): the space between rotation and bullpen!

Well tonight, Burke Badenhop ascends back into Paradiso, aka. the rotation. Battling him will be another one of these Divine Comedy ascenders, Jorge Campillo. Campillo started the year in Atlanta's bullpen, but pitched so effectively that he earned a rotation spot. His ERA? A glistening 0.99.

Still, Campillo's outings are short. The Marlins should work the counts to get him out of the game, hoping it comes down to the bullpens...Oh wait, hasn't the Marlins bullpen blown 3 saves already on this trip? Scratch that. Just try and score as many runs as possible!

Blogosphere Divide: JT 2, Parcells 2

As many of you know, we often refer to FinsNation, Phinsider, and PhinFever for Dolphins commentary. All have been loyal - if not perturbed - providers on the Jason Taylor-Bill Parcells feud.

Well today, it seems the battle lines have been drawn, with two on each side. Not since the fabled clash of D'Artagnan & Porthos vs. Athos & Aramis in Dumas' Twenty Years After has such division fermented among allies. Alas, such is the way of things.

Let's start with the Parcellsists. Phinsider comes out strongly against Jason Taylor. His words:

"To be honest, though, this whole entire situation just sickens me. It really does. And what I'm hoping for is for Taylor to be traded...and traded soon."

PhinFever joins in dissent:

"All of his actions, in this blogger’s opinion, have been detrimental to the team. His initial decision to be on Dancing with the Stars has caused this media maelstrom. Him missing mandatory mini-camps and eventually training camp will only add to the frenzy. The rumors that he wants to be traded, and yes he does, along with the idea that Hollywood is waiting for him, have all caused distractions for what the new front office wants to do."

And now to the Taylorists, myself included. FinsNation shows a bit of bravery as he makes his case, despite its apparent unpopularity. I give you one of the non-vulgar quotes (there are few):

"Point is: I side with JT. He's done nothing wrong. Parcells could and should have defused the situation from the beginning and handled it quietly and responsibly. Now, I understand that most of you disagree with my stance. That's cool. Disagreements are a part of what makes sports fun, and debates are a healthy way to hash out differences of opinion."

Well FinsNation, you have some company here at The South Florida Fan. What does Jason Taylor owe this franchise; the same franchise that treated him like garbage this entire offseason; the same franchise that gave him horrible coaches and horrendous draft picks for teammates; the same franchise that leaves him at the twilight of his career with nothing close to a ring. My god, what a terrible person!

How dare he want to play for a winning team??? How dare he seize an elusive opportunity to boost a post-NFL career by going on Dancing With the Stars and milking it for all its worth? All this, while Bill Parcells acted like a total jackass. JT, you have our full support. Now come back and play for us!

Fans Forget Those Whom Fortune Forsakes?

In Charlotte Bronte's preeminent masterpiece Jane Eyre, she remarks how "friends always forget those whom fortune forsakes." Despite the statement's inherent truth, one has to wonder if those same words apply to fandom, especially in the more "fairweather" areas such as South Florida.

Well, in the last five days, fortune has forsaken the Marlins. The once-charmed team is now dropping every 1-run game, losing in spectacular fashion time after time. To say the tables have turned is an understatement; the other shoe has dropped with such a thud that the table has hit the team squarely in the face, battering the players' wounds and expectations.

Don't give up, Marlins fans. Just as Bronte tries to illustrate, now is when the Marlins need you the most. Don't abandon the team because of one heartwrenching stretch. Things were at such a high a week ago. They can be again!

A Magic Brew?

Fillet of a Fenny Snake,
In the Cauldron boil and bake;
Eye of Newt, and Toe of Frogge,
Wool of Bat, and Tongue of Dogge,
Adder's Fork, and Blind-worm's Sting,
Lizard's leg, and Howlet's wing,
For a Charm of powerful trouble
Like a Hell-broth boil and bubble.

William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616),
Macbeth (IV, i, 14-15)

This line, uttered by the second of the three ugly witches in Macbeth as they stir their boiling cauldron, is one of the most familiar phrases associated with traditional witchcraft. Maybe the Marlins have something in common with the three witches.

There is something to be said for team chemistry, and the Marlins this year seems to have just that. With the right mix of ingredients, the flavors blend into a delicious and savory dish whereas individually the components are dull and lackluster. Add a Cantu, a Hendrickson, a Gonzalez, and throw in a Helms and a Miller or two, into a pot already containing a Ramirez, a Willingham, and a Jacobs, and you might just drool over your home plate. Uggla even sounds occult, like the mysterious incantation in a magic brew.

Double, double toile and trouble ;
Fire burn and Cauldron bubble.

So, who are the real Brewers?

The Marlins' Achilles Heel Exposed

Everything went according to literary form in last night's 7-4 loss to the Braves, as if scripted directly from Homer's "Iliad." Let's break down the mythology:

Achilles Heel: The back of the Marlins rotation, namely the unreliable Burke Badenhop. He proved to be the weakness tonight, allowing five runs in the first inning.

Achilles the Warrior: The bullpen, which has obliterated all things in its path since Opening Day. Much like Achilles' triumphant return to the front, the bullpen relieved Badenhop and surrendered just one run. It was a solid enough performance to slay Hector, but the Trojan lead was too great.

Achilles' Friends (Agammemnon, Aias, Odysseus, and co.): The Marlins lineup, which never gave up despite the odds. Special credit must go to Josh Willingham, who powered all four of the team's RBI.

The final result? The Marlins, like Achilles, may have been slain for the night, but the division battle is still looking promising. Nobody saw this Marlins team coming, and that's why they're the Trojan Horse of the National League.

Marlins Manic-Depressive History a National Curiosity

The people of South Florida may show little to no concern for their team, but that doesn't mean the Marlins go unnoticed. In fact, it's hard to imagine a franchise more fascinating in the national sphere.

They've won two championships; they've had several fire sales. They have the lowest payroll; they're in first place. They frequently have under 10,000 fans; they've had two of the most explosive World Series Championship parades...

Does this sound a bit like the opening to Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities? In this case, it's the Tale of One City: a schizophrenic one.

I didn't realize what a national phenomenon this team was until I saw this wonderful post on Sully's Blog (a Red Sox fan/tv producer). People like Sully legitimately wonder what makes Marlins fans tick.

If any think they know the answer, please visit Sully's Blog and share your opinions.

Experience and Change a Potent Combination

We all know the words "experience" and "change" from the ongoing saga that is the Democratic Primary; Hillary is experience, Obama change. Many salivating Dems have fantasized about a Dream Team lineup, because after all, why choose one when you can have both?

It seems the Marlins have applied the same logic to this year's squad, albeit without the kind of fundraising Senators Obama and Clinton are getting. Let's examine each issue more closely:

Experience: So far, a slew of upcoming players have shown a new brand of wisdom. Mike Jacobs, Hanley Ramirez, Scott Olsen, and Jeremy Hermida come immediately to mind, with Renyel Pinto and Matt Lindstrom also making waves. Perhaps the strongest example is Fredi Gonzalez, who now has a solid year under his belt.

Experience isn't everything. In fact, far from it, as the 2003 Marlins proved. After all, as Montaigne says, "When reason fails us, we make use of experience, which is a feebler and less worthy means." It still helps though.

Change: As much as I loved Dontrelle and Cabrera, I've been hearing whispers of how they plagued the clubhouse last year. As one scout told me (he knows who he is), Willis' locker was like a candy store, and Cabrera was hungover almost every day at batting practice. Could their substraction, combined with positive clubhouse influences like Luis Gonzalez, Jorge Cantu, and Mark Hendrickson be making the difference? (Luis Gonzalez also brings quite a bit of experience, by the way).

Of course, it's easy to assign the credit there when we have few other reasons for justification. My main point, however, is if the adage "if it ain't broke..." stands valid, then one could equally claim, "when it is broke, fix it." The Marlins did something to try and fix their clubhouse chemistry, and it appears to be working.

Is it change, experience, both, or neither? Whatever it is, I hope it keeps happening.

Broom Found

This time, the Marlins did complete the sweep, due in part to (gulp) Jorge Cantu. This guy is starting to haunt my dreams.

A few observations:

Mark Hendrickson has now rung off two impressive starts in a row. If the Marlins can get that consistently from him, this could be a surprisingly good season.

Hanley Ramirez is phenomenal. Not only did he go 2 for 5, but the error he reached on was the product of his own speed (which clearly rattled Guzman at SS). You had to admire the way he crushed that single to center in the 9th, which led to the winning run.

Kevin Gregg's wildness isn't going away. It may be a bit more in check, but it's a little disconcerting. I think we need the glasses back again.

Poor Cody Ross. I want him to do well, but he just isn't showing anything. Another 0-for day, this time with a horrid play in center. As Reader Tom astutely pointed out: "The miscommunication between Ross and Hermida was like Balthazar telling Romeo that Juliet was dead." (Note: That's the second Romeo & Juliet reference on this space. Points to the person who can find the first)

So the Marlins are 6-3 and leading the division. But to the earth some special good doth give.

Yankees-Rays Squabbles a Shakespearean Affair

Yes, another Yankees post. How do they keep getting onto this blog?

I just had to say something about the recent animosity between the Yankees and Rays. Doesn't it resemble Romeo and Juliet? Let's go through the casting:

Capulet - Joe Girardi, the strategizing head of household

Montague - Joe Maddon, the calmer head of household

Tybalt - Shelley Duncan, the fiery prognosticator who takes a fall (in this case, a suspension)

Mercutio - Akinoru Iwamura, the unfortunate middle-man of a retaliation

Romeo - Johnny Gomes, the pal who sticks up for his friend Mercutio and slays Tybalt

Juliet - Alex Rodriguez, for...I'll let you decide

Benvolio - Elliot Johnson, for being a Montague, yet acting with good intentions

Paris - Francisco Cervelli, the innocent groom-in-waiting who got burned

Friar Lawrence - Stu Sternberg, the Rays sympathizer

Rosaline - Lou Piniella, the old flame

Apothecary - Bud Selig, for poisoning the game

Prince Escalus - Hank Steinbrenner, a loudmouth not very adept at keeping the peace

A glooming peace this morning with it brings;
The sun, for sorrow, will not show his head:
Go hence, to have more talk of these sad things;
Some shall be pardon'd, and some punished:
For never was a story of more woe
Than this of A-Rod and his Gomes.