In the movie Road Trip, four friends from Ithaca College embark on an eventful (and perhaps poorly-scripted, but fun) road trip. As is usual in movies like that, the more humiliating scenes dissolve into a happy ending, with plenty of comedy and cheers all around.
We can only hope the Marlins will be rewarded with the same fate, because the 3-7 road trip through New York, Philadelphia, and Atlanta was plain awful. The laughs? I guess Cole Hamels getting rocked, Jamie Moyer's idiotic comment, Dan Uggla's child...let's just say they didn't stack up with the misery.
So the Marlins lost to their rivals on the road. Old news. With the comforts of home once more abound, it's time to find that happy ending...and no, I'm not referring to Breckin Meyer's post-Road Trip career.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Nightmare Road Trip Over
The Old Hearing Aid Excuse
No, seriously.
However, last Saturday, Taylor admitted that the widely circulated reports were accurate and that he did feel snubbed by Parcells when he made a brief appearance during a film session at team headquarters last month while on a break from his stint on ABC's Dancing With the Stars. Taylor added that their encounter was not "confrontational."The quick and interesting read drops some more Parcells nuggets:
"I was in the room there with a lot of people," Parcells said. "I have hearing aids. I didn't have them with me that day. I didn't see anybody walk into the room directly.
On running back Ricky Williams: "I've always had a high regard for the player. ... We're hoping he could recapture some of what he had because what he had was pretty special, so I'm rooting for him."Aren't we all...
On Patriots coach Bill Belichick's Spygate episode: "I think it was overblown. If the competition is victimized by someone spying on you — if that happened — it's your fault because you could take precautions to keep that from happening if you're smart enough."Appeasing the AFC East gatekeepers. Laud them with praise, then attack the champs. Interesting approach.
Insert pre-requisite Dancing With The Stars clip:
Paul Pierce: Willis Reed-Like Legend or Academy Award Winner?
He was writhing in agony. There was speculation that the Celtics would have one person missing from the Boston Three Party for the duration of the Finals. And then he came out, to thunderous applause prompting a timeout by Phil Jackson. Paul Pierce then became unconscious, hitting key three after key three and propelling the Celts to a Game 1 victory over the Lakers.
But I ask you, the South Florida Fan - was the new classic Finals moment authentic sports legend, or shameless, phony theatrics?
Wade to the Bulls? UTTER NONSENSE!!!
I'm pretty much in a state of disbelief right now. Apparently, anyone can make up the most ridiculous NBA trade rumor imaginable and people will run with it...INCLUDING ESPN.
Chad Ford, whom I used to respect, makes a case for a Wade to the Bulls deal. WHAT??? The only thing more amusing than this pathetic excuse for an argument is that Bulls fans are chiming in against the deal FROM CHICAGO'S END. What the hell???
I'm sorry to even be reporting this. Truly, I am. Please tell me I'm not losing my mind here.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Most Dependable Starter? Ricky Nolasco
Tonight, Ricky Nolasco will battle Braves somewhat-sensation Jair Jurrjens for Game 4 of the series. As I'm sure you all know, the Braves lead the series 2-1, despite each team blowing a late lead in all three games.
The first three games may have been screwy, coming down to fluky bullpen mishaps, but I expect tonight's game to play out more traditionally. Ricky Nolasco has been very solid lately, regaining his pre-injury 2006 form (remember, he beat Brandon Webb). It's a rotating circus, but he leads my current list of most dependable Marlins starters. Here it is:
1. Ricky Nolasco
2. Scott Olsen
3. Andrew Miller
4. Mark Hendrickson
5. Burke Badenhop
Scott Olsen is barely hanging on to the second spot, but a solid performance Monday gave him some breathing room. Andrew Miller seems fine when he can get past the first couple innings, but that's a big if. Hendrickson was mediocre yesterday, but that was after three bad starts in a row. And Badenhop? He was never good enough to earn confidence, though he could very well ascend after a couple more starts.
Putting it bluntly, the Marlins rotation is consistently inconsistent, excellently mediocre, and erratic as a sugar-high toddler. And maybe that's beautiful; on any given night, they can be Sandy Koufax...or Anthony Young.
Either way, I like the ball in the hands of Nolasco tonight.
Dissecting the Kyle Skipworth Pick
The presiding opinion seems to be overwhelmingly positive for the Kyle Skipworth pick. That's always nice to see...
Here's what Baseball America had to say:
Kyle Skipworth to the Marlins. In our last podcast that wasn’t a college behemoth podcast, we both agreed that Skipworth can be the highest-ceiling player in this draft. He’s a lefthanded-hitting catcher who can just flat hit, and he has arm strength and improved catch-and-throw skills. Frankly, this pick rocks. The Marlins need catching, Skipworth has an advanced bat and can be a premium player at a premium position.
I like the words, "Frankly, this pick rocks." Feels nice.
And now, from Baseball Prospectus:
Like the Orioles, the Marlins have been locked in on their player for some time now. The top high school catcher, Kyle Skipworth has had a record-breaking season and greatly impressed scouts both in games and during private workouts. He’s a big left-handed hitter with excellent power and enough defense to stick behind the plate, and he would have a clear path to the majors in a catching-weak Marlins system. There are some inside the organization who would like to consider a college closer here, but the sixth pick is too high to employ that gambit. There's also a late push in favor of University of Miami first baseman Yonder Alonso; if he worked out, the Miami native and Cuban immigrant would be the face of the franchise, but the Marlins are a team that has always stuck to slot, and Alonso may have priced himself out of the opportunity.
Good point about Yonder Alonso and pricing. That may be ultimately why the Marlins didn't go for him. I'm very pleased with the pick, and I think Marlins fans will be too in about three years.
Plenty of South Florida interest in top 10 picks
South Florida has been well represented through the top 10 picks of the 2008 MLB Draft. With the first pick overall, the Tampa Rays selected Timothy Beckman, a high school short stop out of Georgia. It appears as though Beckman has all the tools in place to be a bona fide MLB'er in the future; he has speed enough to cover the holes in the infield as well as steal a few bases, and the power to be a solid fixture in any lineup.
The 3rd pick came from the Royals, and they selected, from American Heritage (Boca Raton\Delray Beach\Plantation area), Eric Hosmer. He's been called the top bat in this year's draft, drawing comparasion to Casey Kotchman, despite only being in high school.
With the 6th pick, the Marlins selected, as predicted here on TSFFB, catcher Kyle Skipworth.
Then, with the 7th pick, the Reds picked University of Miami first baseman Yonder Alonso, who beat out South Carolina's Justin Smoak to be the first college first baseman to be picked. What Alonso lacks in defensive abilities, he more than makes up for with power.
And just recently, another Hurricane was taken with the 12th pick; 2nd baseman Jemile Weeks.
More as the draft unfolds...
There's a Baseball Draft Today
Did anyone outside of Baseball America know there's a baseball draft today? No, not for next year's little league teams, not a mid-season fantasy draft, but for Major League Baseball.
It's the least publicized draft of all the major sports (including hockey), and yet so many division crowns are won on such days. Why so little attention? The biggest reason (at least in my estimation) is that the players take too long to develop, if at all. So much of it is speculative, with fans rarely knowing who was and wasn't supposed to pan out. You find out three years later which players are tearing it up in the farm based on September call-ups, and suddenly you "always knew" he was a stud. Funny how that works.
Fish Stripes gives a decent overview of the upcoming day for the Marlins. Here's the key note:
"The Marlins are drafting 6, 52, 83, 118 and 148 in the first five rounds in this year's draft. After that, keep adding 30 to the previous round.
The consensus by all the prognosticators is that the Marlins will select Kyle Skipworth, C, from a Riverside CA, High School. However, don't be surprised if the Marlins choose Aaron Crow. RHP, from Missouri."
A catcher? Why take someone at a position the Marlins are so settled in (okay, I'm full of jokes today). I've always been a fan of taking top arms on Draft Day, but you have to consider the individual cases. Just know that the blueprint for Marlins success has always been young pitching. We'll have more on these players as the draft goes on.
Who's Your Daddy? Dan Uggla!
Some of you probably remember when Pedro Martinez referred to the Yankees as "his daddy," sparking an amusing "Who's Yo' Daddy?" chant at Yankee Stadium every time he pitched. You have to hand it to Pedro...he took it like a prodigal son.
Well, over the last five weeks, Dan Uggla has been the daddy of MLB. No other player has been as hot since then, and even a bad series in Philadelphia couldn't keep him quiet for too long. Remember that he hit two HRs on Tuesday, two doubles Monday.
It seems, however, that there was one person in this world who could quiet his bat (outside of soft-throwing lefties, of course). Dan Uggla missed yesterday's game for the birth of his second child. Just more proof of his awesomeness, that he would leave the team to be with his wife. He's expected back tonight...I have a feeling he's ready to assert his fatherhood again.
As Promising As Future Is, Deck Still Stacked Against UM Football
The Miami Hurricanes suffered a huge blow to their (premature) plans to begin their re-ascent in the college football world in 2008. Senior defensive end Courtney Harris suffered a torn Achilles, and will likely miss the 2008 season. This is particularly noteworthy considering the shocking lack of depth at the position, even penciling Harris in for this year. Here's what the Canes have - Returning starter Senior Eric Moncur, Sophomore phenom Allen Bailey (his strength and freakish athleticism are legend, although he may miss the first game of the season with a torn pectoral muscle), Sophomore Adewale Ojomo, Sophomore Steven Wesley, and not-yet-qualified (and two-star) true Freshman Andrew Smith. That's it.
When you're coming off a 5-7 season, and you are talking rebirth to people, you can't have many weak links in your chain, and defensive end, especially with another injury, is a weak link, at least on paper. The Canes will definitely have to consider shoring up the position by having players at other positions switch over. Some candidates include true freshmen linebackers Marcus Robinson and Gavin Hardin (Hardin's the more likely to make the move), and junior Richard Gordon (who's already changed positions at least twice in his career).
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Heat Draft Choices Don't Measure Up
It's a well-known fact that basketball players tend to overstate their height. There are a number of ways to justify this phenomenon, but it's somewhere in between innocence and the more unseemly trend of baseball players understating their age.
Well, eventually the truth comes out. As Michael Wallace of the Miami Herald reports, there is a major height inconsistency with one of the Heat's potential draftees. Let's see which one.
1. Derrick Rose: Listed at 6'3. 6'1 1/2 without shoes, 6'2 1/2 with shoes. Not that bad at all.
2. Michael Beasley: Listed at 6'10. 6'7 without shoes, 6'8 1/4 with shoes. WHAT??? That's not even close!
I'm beginning to lose hope in the idea of the Bulls taking Beasley over Rose. Beasley just seems to keep developing negatives, while Rose is soaring. Do the Heat want a 6'7 Beasley at PF? I'm not sure, but I'd still take him over OJ Mayo in a heartbeat.
Dolphins News...Including JT
Contrary to popular belief, the Dolphins do have a team outside of Jason Taylor. In fact, Jason Taylor may or may not be on the team, so it's questionable whether he even counts. Before we get to the real team, however, let me share a quick bit on JT.
Bill Parcells may have a problem with Taylor, but coach Tony Sparano is adopting a much more civil approach. As FinsNation reports, Sparano seems - at least publicly - to want Jason Taylor on his squad. Not a bad idea, considering the guy's a Defensive MVP, Dolphins legend, and decent guy (yes, he is)! Major kudos to you, Tony Sparano, for actually saying the right thing.
Now as for other news, things are looking very promising for John Beck. Both FinsNation and Phinsider reported on this story...perhaps John Beck could be the answer at quarterback? If so, that would be far more integral to the Dolphins' success this year than a certain Dancing With the Stars contestant.
Josh McCown is also rumored to have played well, which is certainly a noteworthy story, but not something to get excited about. Beck is the one with a real future. I hope we never see McCown in a game unless it's garbage time.
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.
Hanley's Back! So are the Marlins!
I was mentally prepared for another disappointing loss. I wasn't even surprised. It was total resignation drenched over my face, the acceptance of a once-promising season going clumsily down the garbage disposal (yes, it's not just a drain, it's a painful one with slicers).
Then something happened. Down 4-2 in the 9th, superstar Cody Ross (the hottest player in MLB right now) starts things off with a single to left. Okay, there's something. Then Mike Rabelo (of all people) launches a bomb into right center. HOLY SH*T!!!! A couple batters later, Cantu doubles and then Hanley, the goat of May, blasts his second homer of the day. WOW!
In a road trip so marred by blown leads, it was about time the Marlins got one back. Suddenly, the Marlins can turn this into a 4-6 trip tomorrow night, which is a whole lot better than 2-8. Now if only the Phillies would lose a game.
Be A Masochist! Watch the Marlins!
As the bullpen blows lead after lead, Marlins games are turning into a haven for masochists. Want to spice up your sex life? Just put the game on in the 8th and 9th innings...that will put some pain with your pleasure.
All joking aside, this road trip has been excruciating to watch. It seems the Marlins are inventing new ways to blow games in mind-numbing fashion. Missed opportunities, sloppy play, errors, poor decision-making...all equal vices in this horrible stretch.
I think I might need to take today's game off, and I doubt I'm alone.