Wednesday, December 19, 2007
New Ball Park
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Two interesting links
Monday, December 17, 2007
A Few comments on the Mitchell report
2. I didn't read the whole compilation of gossip section of the report, but from what I did read, I've got to wonder what impact that illegal drug use actually had. So much of it seems so scattershot. Use 'em because of a friend of a friend, but don't use the one where you get injected in the belly button, because you don't like that ... Is that really the way steroids work? Take them, without any medical supervision or plan or training or knowledge, and poof, you get better at baseball?
If you're going to use illegal performance enhancing substances, do it right, like Bonds/Anderson apparently did, and like the East Germans used to--use a schedule, keep records, get blood tests, etc.
3. Which brings me to my major question: what impact did the drugs have on the way people played the game. The report doesn't say, and I'm not sure we know. But the report should have addressed that subject. Statistics in baseball can be used in a variety of ways, but a review of the way the game was actually played, and how it changed, during the Steroid Era, would be useful. Mitchell should have gotten together a group of independent statisticians to tell him whatever they could glean from the statistics of the era.
I agree that drugs are bad, and that taking steroids and HGH without a doctors prescription should be illegal. Its OK with me if, after appropriate due process, Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds are banned from baseball for life, and ineligible for the Hall Its also OK with me if reporters don't vote for them, if they remain eligible. But for baseball to achieve its objective of cleaning itself up and setting the right example for the rest of the society, it seems to me that a little more thought needs to go into the medical science, and a little less into the gossip.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Want a Litlte Good News about Marlins?
The comment I posted on the site: "As a fan who goes to 20-plus games a year at the football stadium formerly known as Joe Robbie, I have to say that this trade just makes the team tough to watch in 2008. Last year was pretty bad, with awful defense and pitchers throwing a ton of base on balls.... But as Rick said to Ilsa in
Parking
Friday, December 14, 2007
Stadium commmentary
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Black Sox Scandal II
A few weeks ago, after his (well-paid), disastrous finale against the Indians, The Rocket trudged off the mound and virtually all of us knew he was destined for the Hall of Fame. Now, look at this brilliant assessment from Boswell at Wash Post link
An excerpt:
"Now, Roger Clemens joins Barry Bonds in baseball's version of hell. It's a slow burn that lasts a lifetime, then, after death, lingers as long as the game is played and tongues can wag. In baseball, a man's triumphs and his sins are immortal. The pursuit of one often leads to the other. And those misdeeds are seldom as dark as their endless punishment.
Shoeless Joe Jackson, an illiterate outfielder who hit like a demon in the 1919 World Series, but neglected to blow the whistle on his crooked teammates, died with his good name as black as their Sox. Pete Rose, who bet on his team, but never against it, finally confessed. It could be good for his soul, and buys him dinner at my house any night, but may never get him into Cooperstown. Now, they have company: two giants of our time, just as humbled, though no less tarnished."
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A minor comment on the Mitchell Report
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
The impact of Miggy and D-Train in Motown
Monday, December 10, 2007
It's a good thing Lebatard can write
Thursday, December 6, 2007
More about Marlins Money
An excerpt: "By shedding these stars, Florida was able to cut its payroll down to $14.9 million in 2006, which is less than 20% of the Major League average of $78 million. It was also less than half of the $31 million in revenue sharing dollars the team received that year. So, rather than using the money to retain or attract on-field talent, the owners took it as part of the team's MLB best $43 million profit in 2006."
Then came this: "P.S. -- On December 4, 2007, the Marlins agreed to trade their two highest paid players, Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis, to the Detroit Tigers for young prospects, a move that will likely insure that the Marlins will have the lowest payroll and one of the worst franchises in baseball in 2008."
Show Me The Money
Interesting story at link about Marlins payroll and all that revenue sharing they get. An excerpt from Tom Covill PA SportsTicker Staff Writer:
After Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis - who were traded to the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday - clear out their lockers for good at Dolphins Stadium, the Marlins will have no one under contract that made more than $575,000 in 2007.
It seems unlikely that Major League Baseball, which shelled out $323 million in revenue sharing alone in 2006 - with the vast majority of it going to the teams in the bottom of the market scale - has been withholding payments from the Marlins.
In all likelihood the money Florida has received over the past few seasons in revenue sharing and luxury tax exceeds its entire payroll.
LAST FISH OUT, TURN OFF THE LIGHTS
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Damaged goods?
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
First Thoughts on the Trade
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Another Hall Comment
"Undervalued, Overlooked"
talking about Undervalued and Overlooked for the Hall.... And there is no Andre. No. 25 on the all-time list of total bases.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Best Players of All Time
Player | TB | Walks | Total |
Barry Bonds* | 5976 | 2558 | 8534 |
Hank Aaron | 6856 | 1402 | 8258 |
Babe Ruth | 5793 | 2062 | 7855 |
Stan Musial | 6134 | 1599 | 7733 |
Willie Mays | 6066 | 1464 | 7530 |
Carl Yastrzemski | 5539 | 1845 | 7384 |
Pete Rose | 5752 | 1566 | 7318 |
Ty Cobb | 5854 | 1249 | 7103 |
Ted Williams | 4884 | 2021 | 6905 |
Ricky Henderson | 4588 | 2190 | 6778 |
Special Marlins Note: Andre Dawson didn't walk much, but he's No. 25 all time career in total bases, and the only persons above him who are not in the Hall of Fame are Barry Bonds*, Pete Rose (who did NOT cheat on the field), and Ken Griffey Jr., who's still playing. It's an outrage that Andre isn't in the Hall.
1 --
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Oh-Oh and Ah-Ha!
Meanwhile, the Great Ronnie gloats that Angels moaning about Marlins asking too much for Miggie -- "They must have read my comments" here at Marlins Maniacs...
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Thursday, November 22, 2007
The Good, the Bad and the Uggla
1 -- He led the team by a wide margin in strike outs (167, Miggie was in second place with 127).
2 -- Batting with men on, two out -- .167
3 -- Batting with runners in scoring position, two out -- .133
4 -- Batting with runner on third -- .150
5 -- Batting with bases loaded (meaning this is a weak pitcher, in trouble) -- .154
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Link to Bonds Trial Q&A
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
DOMINOS FALLING IN L.A.: Is Miggy Trade Next?
Monday, November 19, 2007
Hard Stats on Small Ball Fredi
Bill James Handbook 2008 is out. It's a great read, stuffed with details, including the performance on managers. How’s Fredi compare? Let’s look at two small ball categories – sacrifice bunts attempted and intentional walks. That means giving up outs to make runs and putting opponent runners on base to, um, prevent runs. Guess what? Fredi is an ultra-activist, near the top of the league in both categories. Surprised? Not if you're a true Marlins fan.
Only Clint Hurdle (
Intentional walks? Fredi’s mentor, Bobby Cox, led the league with 89, and Fredi just had a hard time catching up, issuing 60. Bob Geren of the A’s also gave up 60. Clint Hurdle 61 (small ball advocate at Coors Field? What’s he trying to do? Mess up RW’s theories of evil
Now, James goes a step farther. He has a category called “Bomb” under intentional walks. That’s when more than one run scores in an inning after an intentional walk. And here Fredi tied for the ML league – with 16 Bombs during the season. Here, he showed that he wasn’t up to Bobby Cox speed: Cox intentionally walked 89 hitters and had 16 Bombs. Fredi walked 60 to produce his 16.
Make of this what you will. I personally hate giving up outs to score runs and putting runners on base to prevent runs. Melvin, NL manager of the year, by the way, issued a mere 38 intentional passes, which resulted in four Bombs.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Miggy: Go West, Young Man -- and maybe Dontrelle
This is from LA Times:
The Marlins would like the Angels to include second baseman Howie Kendrick and top pitching prospect Nick Adenhart in any trade and would like the Dodgers to include pitcher Chad Billingsley or top pitching prospect Clayton Kershaw, perhaps both. The Marlins traditionally insist on top young pitching in any deal.
If the Marlins ask for two pitchers as part of a package of three or four players, neither the Angels nor Dodgers figure to have the depth for a deal, unless Florida expands the trade to include pitcher Dontrelle Willis. The Marlins would free an estimated $20 million in payroll next season by trading Cabrera and Willis.
The Angels, according to another major league source, do not want to trade four players straight up for Cabrera, 24, who has a .313 career average in 4 1/2 big league seasons and has averaged 31 home runs and 115 runs batted in the last four years.
Though they have refused to part with Kendrick the last two winters, the hard-hitting second baseman is not considered untouchable.
But the Angels would trade Kendrick only if they felt the package was right -- they don't want to trade Kendrick and Adenhart and third base prospect Brandon Wood and one of their catchers, Jeff Mathis or Mike Napoli, for Cabrera.
If the Marlins do insist on four players, including Kendrick, they might be willing to add second baseman Dan Uggla, 27, who hit .245 with 31 homers and 88 RBIs last season, to the deal.
Cabrera is expected to make between $11 million and $12 million in arbitration next season, but he is a much cheaper alternative to free-agent third baseman Alex Rodriguez, who is reportedly looking for $30 million per year for at least eight years.
New Angels General Manager Tony Reagins met with Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras, in Anaheim before the GM meetings. Tuesday was the first day teams could discuss monetary figures with free agents, but Reagins said he did not extend any formal contract offers.
"We're still in the information-gathering process," Reagins said.
As for growing speculation that the Angels are the front-runners to sign Rodriguez, Reagins said, "I don't know where it comes from. Obviously, some of it is from people seeing our need, but I don't like to comment on speculation."
The Angels could explore the possibility of signing free-agent third baseman Mike Lowell, who earned most-valuable-player honors while leading Boston to a World Series win over Colorado. But they don't want to go four years on Lowell, who reportedly has a three-year offer of about $40 million to return to the Red Sox.
The Angels won the American League West for the third time in four years this season but were hit hard by injuries and swept by Boston in the first round of the playoffs.
"If the season started today, I like our club, when healthy," Reagins said. "I like our starting pitchers, our bullpen, and if we have a healthy Garret Anderson, Gary Matthews Jr. and Vladimir Guerrero, I think we're pretty good. I don't feel pressured to make a huge move, but if you can get better, that's what you want to do."
Friday, November 16, 2007
Guilty Until Proven Innocent?
French sez: His story seems weird to me. Can Bonds really be so arrogant and stupid that, even after meeting with lawyers before his grand jury testimony, he goes in there and lies in a way that they can prove? The guy's got a lot to lose--forget about the baseball, he's a very wealthy man.
Dorsch sez: And why did they wait for four years after his testimony to accuse him of perjury?
French sez: The juxtaposition of Selig talking about a banner year, and ARod getting his gigantic new deal at the same time that others are writing about how this is about to be a terrible scandal and going to permanently damage baseball is kind of interesting. Steroids are bad for people who take them, and have devalued some major records in the sport. We certainly look at players and their achievements differently than we did before ... But it seems like you'd have to say they've been good for the business! Like I said, weird.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Look at the Indictment
Finally
GOOD NEWS COMES IN 'NOs"
Word breaking today is that catcher Yorvit Torrealba is going to sign with the Mets, not the Marlins. So why does this Marlin fan view this as a good thing? Because I could not understand why Fish brass would free up extra money for a player of Torrealba's skills, while searching high and low to unload the stunning talent of Miguel Cabrera. I know the two potential transactions are not directly related, but it struck a discordant tone to see us chase after an average, at best, player while looking to trade a Hall of Famer. Torrealba is a below average hitting catcher -- a .251 career hitter with a modest 30 career homeruns -- and a solid, but far from spectacular, catcher. The hope here is this deal falling through will shake this horrid offseason slumber. Now the Fish bosses must say to Miggy's suiters: No, thanks.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Star Island
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
The Amazing Cody Ross
Catchers and Things
Monday, November 12, 2007
Game 6 Cubs-Marlins 2003 Playoffs Eighth Inning
I kind of feel for the Cubs, having grown up in Illinois and think maybe it's about time they won another World Series (100 years next year).. but my buddy Ronnie says no, those Cubs fans are ugly and obnoxious and let them suffer.... Certainly, they were obnoxious on blaming eight runs on a fan ...
But in case you've forgotten, Fredi "Mr. Small Ball" Gonzalez was not there... and so guess how many times in that inning did the Marlins try to bunt... ?
Here's the replay, from Wikipedia:
The Cubs held a 3-0 lead going into the top of the eighth inning in Game 6 and, after Mike Mordecai hit a high pop fly to left field for the first out of the inning, had only two outs left in the inning—leaving the team a mere 5 outs away from their first World Series berth since 1945.
Prior had retired the last eight hitters and had allowed only three hits up to that point. Center fielder Juan Pierre (who was later traded to the Cubs) then hit a double off Prior to get to second base.
On the eight pitch of his at bat, Luis Castillo hit a high foul ball toward the left field wall. Cubs left fielder Moisés Alou headed toward the stands to catch the ball for the potential second out. As Alou reached for the ball, Cubs fan Steve Bartman, along with others near the area, did the same. The ball bounced off Bartman's hand and into the stands. Though the Cubs pleaded for a call of fan interference, the umpire ruled that the ball had left the field of play and was therefore up for grabs.
As a result, Castillo remained an active batter at home plate. On the next pitch, Prior walked Castillo with a wild pitch that got away from catcher Paul Bako, also allowing Pierre to advance to third base.
Next, Iván RodrÃguez hit an 0-2 pitch hard into left field, singling and scoring Pierre. Miguel Cabrera then hit a ground ball toward Cubs shortstop Alex S. Gonzalez that could have ended the inning on a double play. Gonzalez, who led all NL shortstops in fielding percentage, closed his glove a little too early and the ball landed in the dirt, allowing Cabrera to get on base, loading the bases. On the next pitch, Derrek Lee (a future Cubs All-Star) drilled a double into left field, scoring Castillo and RodrÃguez to tie the game at 3-3.
Prior was then taken out of the game and replaced by Kyle Farnsworth, who intentionally walked Mike Lowell to load the bases. Jeff Conine then hit a sacrifice fly to right field for the second out of the inning, allowing Cabrera to score from third and the other runners to each advance one base. This gave the Marlins their first lead of the night. Farnsworth intentionally walked Todd Hollandsworth (another future Cub) to once again load the bases.
The Marlins now having batted around the order, Farnsworth faced Mike Mordecai, who was looking to make up for his earlier out. This time, Mordecai prevailed, hitting a bases-clearing double to left-center field, allowing Lee, Lowell and Hollandsworth to score and making it a 7-3 Marlins lead.
Farnsworth was then taken out of the game and replaced by Mike Remlinger, who gave up a single to Pierre to score Mordecai from second base. Finally, Luis Castillo hit a high pop fly ball to shallow right field for the third out.
Score: Marlins 8, Cubs 3
Saturday, November 10, 2007
More Lessons on Small Ball
Here it is, Game 7, World Series. Bottom of the Ninth.
Indians 2 Marlins 1.
Alou singles.
Bonilla batting – 3-2. "Do you send Alou?" Bob Costas asks, "to stay out of the double play? Or do you play it safe?" Alou’s not going. Bonilla strikes out. If he was going it could have been a strike-em-out, throw-em out double play.
Charles Johnson – single to right. Alou to third. Gregg Zaun runs for Johnson.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Disbanding the Marlins
Thursday, November 8, 2007
How Rich Are The Marlins?
Revenue 4 | $122 mil |
Operating Inc. 5 | $43.3 mil |
Player Expenses 6 | $31 mil |
Gate Receipts 7 | $16 mil |
Why the Mets are interested in ARod
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Mr. Optober and the Profitable Marlins
I saw the article in the Times about negotiating strategies that seemed to say that ARod and the yankees still may get together. Somehow I doubt that--the next generation Steinbrenners probably don't want to begin their tenure by backing down to the selfish and unloved superstar...
In fairness, I should say that I read a really interesting article in some on-line offshoot of Fortune that discussed the Yankees based mostly on the financial data the Yanks had to publish as part of their bond offering for the new stadium. The conclusion was that the Yanks will be rolling in dough once the new stadium is up and running, and $30+ million is not at all unreasonable.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Oh-Oh
By Jon Heyman, SI.com
ORLANDO -- Florida third baseman Miguel Cabrera is officially on the trading block.
The Marlins have begun contacting selected teams about the possibility of a Cabrera blockbuster. The Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers and Angels are all expected to have interest.
Florida will likely seek a package of three young players, including at least one or two top-tier talents for Cabrera, 24, who is eligible for free agency after the 2009 season.
The cost-conscious Marlins, whose payroll was below $30 million in 2007, don't want to dedicate too much of their budget to one player. Cabrera's salary is expected to rise from $7 million to about $12 million through salary arbitration.
The Marlins may also entertain offers on star pitcher Dontrelle Willis.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Where Was Fredi When We Needed Him?
Bobbie Bonilla starts with a walk. Bunt him to second, that's what Jim Leyland should have done, Fredi would say, but no.
Alou
Floyd hits to second on hit and run. Fernandez covering second, ball goes into right.
Counsel batting. Costas and Morgan speculate about a squeeze. Grounds to second. Bounces away from Fernandez. Error. Runners on first and second. 10-7.
White strikes out.
Renteria walks. Bases loaded.
Pitching change. Jose Mesa.
Bonilla batting. Wild pitch. Runners move to second and third. Single to right. 14-7.
Daulton flies out to center.
Final score 14-11.
Yep, Marlins gave up four runs in the bottom of the ninth, and won.... No small ball here..... I guess Leyland just didn't get the message...
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Who Wants A-Rod?
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Did Girardi Ruin Young Arms, Etc.?
And now this from Herald: Mark Wiley comes back as pitching coach. "Wiley, 58, is hoping he can restore some of the glory to Willis, who has been in decline the past two seasons.''There are a lot of different things that can happen to lead to [a slump],'' Wiley said. ``There is a certain strength that Dontrelle has to have to perform at his best, and I think at some times, there were certain parts of the strike zone that he didn't command as well as he did in that year where he won all those games.''
Did Girardi ruin some young arms? Why is Dontrelle now so bad? Did he ruin himself last year by pitching in that spring World Classic? He hasn't been the same since... There are mysteries to pitching I don't understand...
Friday, November 2, 2007
A-Rod a Marlin?
A -- laughable?
B -- desperate for publicity?
C -- the silliest thing you've heard this week?
D -- all of the above.
Is Fredi worth it?
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
A-Rod: A Star in Decline
DON'T TRADE MIGGY: One Fan's View
Ronnie sez: At 24, Miguel Cabrera is already putting up daunting numbers -- averaging 32 HR, 115 RBI and batting .318 over the last four years. He also has been incredibly clutch, hitting a game winning HR in his first game. And who can forget his 2-run shot to right just after the brush-back pitch from Clemens in the '03 World Series? He is the most feared hitter in our lineup, making everyone else that much better. When Miggy enters the Hall of Fame, he should do so as the first Marlin so honored.
Yet talk is building about the possibility of moving Miggy. If the Marlins do move him, they should only do so for the highest of returns. Trade him to the Yankees? Only if you get back Melky Cabrera, Joba Chamberlain AND Phil Hughes. The Yankees may scoff at such an offer. So be it. The Marlins are in a position of strength. You only move a future Hall of Famer if you get the highest quality in return. So: Don't trade No. 24.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Young Marlins Getting Respect
Girardi and Miggie, together again?
Monday, October 29, 2007
Lowell and A-Rod
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Take The Money
French sez: Why isn't Marlins ownership jumping for joy that local government wants to throw more money at them? Shouldn't their attitude be: Gee, that's wonderful Now, lets find the best possible site for the new stadium?
French sez: On the subject of PEDs: There is abundant rigorous proof that anabolic steroids increase muscle mass and strength. There is also lots of proof that baseball players have used steroids illegally. However, there seems to be little or no medical evidence that HGH increases strength. Not only that, it would be very difficult to do the medical research that would establish whether HGH could actually benefit baseball players--what medical ethics review group would approve a study on healthy young people taking a hormone with such severe long term side-effects?
Why is MLB spending $500 K to develop a test for HGH? Why don't they spend the money instead telling people that: 1. Unlike steroids, there is no proof that it will increase your strength, and 2. The side effects are really really awful?
Dumb Rockies
French asks: Why would the
Girardi and the Stupid Yankees
French sez: Why would a team that imposes strict rules on how frequently and how many pitches a young pitcher can throw be considering former Marlins Manager Joe Girardi for their managerial vacancy?