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!

Marlins...Ugh

I'll probably have another post up later today about the Marlins, but I'm just too pissed off to share any real insight. Last night's game was heartwrenching, just like two other games on this road trip. Very difficult to take.

I do want to pass on an absurdly amusing tale, however, courtesy of Fish Stripes. This is one of the most ridiculous and laughable comments I've ever heard:

"Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer told a Philadelphia reporter Sunday that he was upset that Jeremy Hermida, whom he hit with a pitch, wore protective armor on his elbow.

''If you get hit on the elbow, you don't feel it when you have armor on,'' Moyer said. ``He goes to first base and probably doesn't even have ice on it after the game. You are supposed to have a medical reason to wear it.''

Problem: Hermida doesn't wear armor on his arm.

''I wear a sock,'' Hermida said. ``It's just one of those things pitchers wear, those little sleeves. I just wear it to keep my arm loose.''

Hermida said he cuts the toe out of one of his black athletic socks and slips it over his elbow."

COME ON! It's not as if anything Jamie Moyer could throw would hurt. Maybe it's like a Napoleon Complex, except with speed. I hope Moyer's feeling a little ashamed, because that's pathetic.

A Little More JT

Just a little more to report for you. Sorry for those of you who have grown disenamored with this story...it's what's making headlines around the South Florida blogosphere, so I feel compelled to report it.

As you know, I've been adamant in my support of Jason Taylor over Bill Parcells. I want to share an additional opinion that I posted on Phinsider:

"What amazes me, though, is how you can just ignore the track records of the parties involved. Let’s see:

1. Jason Taylor – Always great teammate, always prepared for season, stayed loyal to a horrid team through coaching changes, poor personnel moves, and media scrutiny.

2. Bill Parcells – Reputed jerk, gets into squabbles with teammates and media constantly, doesn’t dignify people by saying their names (which is so unbelievably rude, by the way), known dictator, no-nonsense yet pervades nonsense. Bailed on teams EVERY SINGLE TIME, plays teams against each other to make more money.

Think about that before you start making assumptions. All Jason Taylor did was follow a great opportunity. The rest is Parcells being a prick."

Anyway, now that I've gotten in my two cents about fifty times, let me share a couple good JT links:

FinsNation shows that Jason Taylor has support from fellow players. As for how the situation will play out from here, Matty of Phinsider puts together an elaborate post here. There a lots of possibilities, but I still hope and maintain that we'll see Taylor in a Dolphins uniform next year.

Zo Wants To Come Back

With all of this talk about the Heat's young and exciting NBA Draft possibilities, I figured I'd spend some time talking about news made by ol' Mr. Heat himself, Alonzo Mourning. On Monday, at Jason Taylor's celebrity golf tournament in Davie, Zo said, "I want to come back and play another year." This does not necessarily mean that you will see the 38 year old Mourning in a Heat uniform this year. He is recovering from knee surgery which has kept him off the basketball court since Dec. 19, 2007. Better stated, the news is that if Zo's health cooperates, he will likely be back with Miami for the 2008-2009 season.

I, for one, am crossing my fingers hoping that his rehab goes well and we see opponent's shots swatted into the fifth row this upcoming season. When both Zo and Shaq were playing in the early months of last season, I found myself appreciating Zo's game a little more. His defensive and shot-blocking presence was almost as pronounced as when he was at the prime of his career. Unlike O'Neal, Zo was hustling EVERY SINGLE PLAY. Not only do I feel a sentimental tug towards Zo as the very embodiment of Heat basketball, but I feel that on a very practical level he can contribute on a rebuilding Heat roster, who, by the way, needs center depth baaaadly (try winning a playoff series with Mark Blount as your only semi-viable option).

Zo has gone through so much for this franchise. In my very humble opinion the Heat should retire his number before the end of his career. He deserves to go out on a better note than 15-67, and hopefully the health gods will once again cooperate and give us the chance, nay the privilege, of watching what "heart" looks like if it took human form and played basketball.

Somebody Needs to Talk to Hanley

I've seen enough of Hanley struggling, all for the one repeating reason. He's going down on the same outside corner strike, AB after AB. Why isn't the team addressing this?

It's clear as day that he's not making the adjustment. Take that pitch and put it into right field! He's just sitting there, taking the strike, then wondering why he's struck out at least once in the last 15 games.

This has nothing to do with lineup order, who's batting around him, situation, or any other concocted reason. It's a simple problem so easy to fix, it's baffling. And at this rate, Hanley doesn't even belong on the All-Star team. Very sad, but true.

The ABCs of the NBA

With six you get eggrolls but in the NBA it's as simple as 1,2,3. You need 3 top level stars to win in today's NBA. Boston goes with Garnett, Pierce, and Allen. While the Lakers come with Kobe, Odom, and Gasol.

L.A. was just a Western conference outcast until the Feb trade brought the third leg to their stool. San Antonio has it. Detroit has it, but appears to be losing it. Unless you've got Shaq in his prime teamed with a Kobe level player, and I've checked all the scouting reports down to sixth grade level...there are no Shaqs anywhere.

So you'd better go with the ABCs. Do the Heat need to go to school to learn how to read, write and draft? You've got your A with Wade. You've got your C in Marion. So you need your B in Beasley. Any of you night owls who were watching K-State playing this year saw a kid playing 1 on 3 in one of the toughest conferences in the country and putting up huge numbers.

So what if he likes to laugh. Remember winning is suppose to be fun. So take your B and add up those 1,2,3s and get back into the playoffs. Simple.

Scott Olsen Math

Remember way back in algebra class when you had to compute velocity in those "real world" problems?

Well Scott Olsen is on the verge of a real world problem...that's if his fastball continues to decline in velocity. Ever since that started happening, he's been knocked around. He went from low 90's to upper 80's to mid 80's. Mid 80's has been synonymous with getting shellacked, so we don't want that.

I won't lie. I'm terrified of his first fastball, because it should tell the whole story. Fish Stripes put his barometer at 87 mph. I'm going to go up to 88. Much like Back to the Future, he'd better hit 88 or he won't be seeing much of the future...that being, past the third inning.

Fingers crossed.

More Good Marlins News

This story is slightly outdated, so I apologize for that in advance. I planned to post about it this weekend...I forgot. Sorry.

Anyway, it's still worth evaluating three days later. According to Fish Stripes, the Marlins' TV ratings are absolutely soaring. Friday's Marlins-Phillies game had the highest TV rating in two years (which was a September playoff-like game), and the Marlins are consistently in the middle of the pack this year.

Here's what this means to me:

1. Fan interest is definitely out there.

2. With the new stadium, maybe some of these people will actually attend the games.

3. Are some of these people purposely not going to the games out of protest? I think so.

4. The general South Florida sports media needs to pay WAY more attention to the Marlins. They should be a much more prominent story than Bill Parcells or Jason Taylor. That's the problem.

Either way, I'm very encouraged by the recent surge. The Marlins could have a prosperous future here, after all.

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!

Miami One Step Closer to CWS

The University of Miami baseball team has just one more hurdle to clear, #23-ranked Arizona, before it can stamp its ticket to Omaha, Nebraska for the College World Series. The Hurricanes, 50-8 on the season and ACC champions, defeated the Rebels of Ole’ Miss on Sunday 11-2 to cap off a sweep in the Coral Gables regional.

The Canes had arguably the toughest draw of the NCAA Tournament, especially in terms of pitching, and they had their hands full on Friday and Saturday nights as they defeated Bethune-Cookman and Missouri in dramatic, come-from-behind fashion. On Sunday, the storyline was different – Ryan Jackson, Jemile Weeks, Dennis Raben, Dave DiNatale, and Yasmani Grandal all fueled the Canes to a 7-2 lead by the end of the 3rd inning. Eric Erickson was back to his old form on Sunday, allowing just two earned runs and six hits with a walk in seven innings. Jackson was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Coral Gables regional – he went 6 for 11 with 2 HR and 4 RBI.

UM’s next task is to take down the Arizona Wildcats, and former UF coach Andy Lopez, in a best of three series to determine who will head to Omaha. The Wildcats are 41-17 on the year, and got to this point by winning the Ann Arbor regional. The Canes are surging at the right time, their confidence is high, their hitting is potent, and, most importantly, their pitching is looking up to the task for the first time in a long while. I predict that the Canes will dispose of Arizona in two games.

2-4 Road Trip Not So Bad

How am I going to put a positive spin on a 2-4 road trip against NL East rivals? It's difficult, but it could be a lot worse.

So they lost two series. On the road, they were almost supposed to lose, and they had the lead in a couple games...imagine if they hadn't squandered those. They could easily have been 4-2 for the trip.

Salvation lies in Atlanta, where I like their chances. The pitching matchups are favorable, Hanley seems to have emerged from his slump (at least partially), and Nolasco and Miller have become dependable starters. Don't forget that post-April Cody Ross is a hitting machine!

There's plenty of good to scrape up from this weekend's carnage, and it just might show itself over the next four games.

Florida State continues on...

Apparently the Florida State Seminoles were told the NCAA tournament started on Saturday. After being shutout by Bucknell in the first game Friday, FSU exacted revenge in extreme fashion, 24-9 today. This coming after a 17-11 win yesterday over Florida. Thats 41 runs in 2 games... Wow.

Florida State must now win 2 straight over the Green Wave of Tulane, who defeated Florida and then Bucknell to earn the 3rd game bye. Should the Seminoles win the first game tonight, a championship game would be played tomorrow.

The Miami Hurricanes won their first 2 games, although they failed to break the 40 run barrier. The 'Canes learned their opponent earlier today as well. They will play Ole Miss, who won their elimination game earlier this afternoon over Missouri, 9-6. Miami needs just 1 win over Ole Miss in 2 tries to earn a spot in an NCAA Super Regional.

Marlins-Phillies Part Trois: The South Florida Fan and Liberty Ball

Follow the Liberty Ball thread here!

4:17PM
So the Phillies take the series. Not a banner day for the Marlins. That marks two games they've squandered on this road trip (the rubber game to the Mets). Losing two of three in Philadelphia against an extremely hot team is nothing to be ashamed of, but it's still disappointing.

In spite of all this, the Phillies only lead by 1/2 a game, and the Marlins can actually make it up with three fewer games played. Four huge games coming up against Atlanta. No Hudson and no Smoltz, so that's the good news. Take 3 of 4 there and the road trip turns out fine.

A great series for the Phillies, but they have a long way to go. Thanks for following and congratulations to Liberty Ball on the big series win.

3:52PM
Phillies strike for 2 on a big 2-out double from Burrell. Walks, wildness, will go down and haunt the Marlins here. A tough tough loss to take when leading 5-1.

Moyer also now on slate to go 8-0 against the Marlins. Unbelievable. This is a good inning to get going.

3:20PM
5-5. Geoff Jenkins comes up and hits a PH homerun. So much for that 5-1 lead holding up. A number of poor plays put the Marlins in this position, and now the game is in serious jeopardy.

Andrew Miller gets a no-decision. Moyer appears to be staying in, so he could still be a winner or loser. Shame. I wanted to hand him a Marlins loss for once. If the Fish want to do it, they'll need to score here in the 7th. Great game on our hands.

2:56PM
Sorry about the late start everyone. I had to be somewhere that lasted longer than expected.

So far it's been a great game. 3 more HRs (2-1 Fish in that department) and a 5-3 Marlins lead. I have to give Chase Utley some real credit now...3 HRs in 3 games. Where are you, Dan Uggla? My reputation is at stake!

Either way, it seems Mike Jacobs has figured out Jamie Moyer. 2 ABs, 2 HRs. That's been the game so far, but this one has a whole lot left. Middle of the 5th, 5-3 Marlins.

Jokinen Dealt by Draft?

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the following:


As for Jokinen, rumors are picking up that GM Jacques Martin could trade him by the start of training camp. It's not the first time Jokinen's name has popped up up in the rumor mill, but the teams Garrioch suggests could take a run at him (Calgary, Ottawa, Minnesota) will have to send almost the equivilant of his $5 million+ salary to Florida or dump it elsewhere to comfortably afford him.

The above really bothers me because there never is a return in these rumors. OK so Jokinen is going to be dealt but who are the Panthers looking for in return? It doesn't say!

My point is that all true Panther fans should be nervous to what this horrid organization will be asking in return. A true Panther trade would be: Jokinen for Bonk and a 4th (me shaking my head in disappointment).

The Panthers need goal scorers, it would not make any sense to trade their best point getter for nothing. I expect this team with JM as GM to make this team look totally different from last years team.

Matthias better make the team out of camp and Frolik hopefully will be up by December (thats assuming they start off slow once again which we all know is almost a given.

Rumors swirl around Melrose, Bolts

While the Florida Panthers coaching search drags on, it seems as though the Tampa Bay Lightning may have a move of their own. While nothing has been announced, and both sides have avoided comments, there are reports and rumors that ESPN commentator Barry Melrose may be the head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning next season.

According to a report in the Toronto Star, Melrose is in line for the job. The paper reported that it had been told Melrose will sign a contract sometime in the next couple days for $2 million a season with the Bolts.

The Lightning were Stanley Cup winners in 2004. Post-lockout, Tampa has struggled to adjust to the "new NHL." Last season, they were dead last in the conference. New ownership is coming in and is looking for someone to replace current head coach John Tortorella.

When asked about this situation on SportsCenter Friday, Barry Melrose deflected the question as any professional would. "I want to coach again in the NHL. But nothing's going on. Uh, I work for ESPN and I'm very happy working for ESPN," said Melrose.

Lightning GM Jay Feaster also deferred comment to after the sale of the franchise was complete. In a statement released Friday, Feaster said, "We have been asked by both Palace Sports & Entertainment and OK Hockey that unless a hockey operations issue is time-sensitive or deadline-sensitive, all items be deferred until after the closing of the sale of the franchise. In as much as John Tortorella is under contract to be the head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning for the 2008-09 season, this is not necessarily a time-sensitive issue."

This comes as somewhat as a surprise to me. Sure, coming in last place isn't the goal at the start of the season. But Just 3 seasons ago, Tortorella led the Lightning to the Holy Grail. Now he's cut free. Will he land in South Florida? Torts worked well with his young team in 2003-2004, most notably Vinnie Lecavlier and Brad Richards (both were only 24 when they won the Cup). I can see some similarities in the 2004 Cup winners to the 2008-2009 Panthers. A young, talent filled team, a couple of older veterans (Dave Andreychuk won his first cup in '04 with Tampa), and a solid netminder who just needs some decent defending. While this deal isn't even done yet, I wonder how much Jacques Martin is watching this situation from his seat in Sunrise.