Winning Uggla

Well, after last night against the New York Mets (sweep!), I lost all my doubts about Dan Uggla. He’s become a much better hitter over the years, more patient, walking more, and he’s now the Marlins career leader in home runs. But watching from the seats beyond first base last night, in the ninth inning he made a diving stop on the outfield grass, on a play that I was sure was a hit, then fired to first to end the game. He’s become a decent fielder, maybe even more than decent, and I sure hope the Marlins resign him. Meanwhile, bases loaded, eighth inning and who comes in to get the Marlins out of the jam? Leo Nunez. And he did it. An amazing night all around against the formerly Amazing Mets.

Gaby and Mendez

On Tuesday night, I saw my third game in person in a row – first time since 2003, I’m sure. Early in the year, I was worried that Gaby didn’t have enough power for a first baseman, but he won the game with his 19th of the year – a powerful shot into the left field blue seats, and he’s likely to gain some power with age, maybe into the 25-30 range. But the interesting surprise of this late season is Adalberto Mendez, who on Tuesday night against the New York Mets pitched seven solid innings, 89 pitches with only two walks. He’s the anti-Miller. Put the ball in play and hitters get out two-thirds of the time. He had three solid double plays behind him, a racing outfield that caught some solidly hit balls (Stanton in particular made a great catch), and Brad Davis (home run hero of the day before) threw out two runners at second. The Mets managed 10 hits against Mendez, but only one run. He’s 28, from Santo Domingo, listed as a skinny 6-2, 160, and this is his first stint in the Big Leagues, after eight years in the minors. He was a Rule 5 Minor League pick from the Cubs in 2007, was in Jupiter in 2008 and Jacksonville in 2009. This year, he was in Jacksonville and New Orleans, accord to MiLB.com. His career minor league ERA is 3.98. Not overpowering stuff, and he didn’t get the win, thanks to Veras blown save, but still he made for an enjoyable night. A possible No. 5 starter next year?

Marlins 2009 -- Most Bang for the Buck

Here is an an analysis I did last fall -- measuring team salary divided by wins -- what teams got the most bang for their buck, as it were. The Yankees won the World Series of course, so their fans are not complaining, but the Mets, Cubs and Astros -- those general managers should be fired for the miserable performance after they spent all that money:
Team 2009 payroll 2009 victories Cost per Victory
about.com mlb.com
Marlins $36,834,000 87 $423,379.31
Padres $43,734,200 75 $583,122.67
Twins $65,299,266 87 $750,566.28
Rays $63,313,034 84 $753,726.60
Rangers $68,178,798 87 $783,664.34
Pirates $48,693,000 62 $785,370.97
Rockies $75,201,000 92 $817,402.17
Athletics $62,310,000 75 $830,800
Cards $77,605,109 91 $852,803.40
Giants $82,616,450 88 $938,823.30
Reds $73,558,500 78 $943,057.69
Brewers $80,182,502 80 $1,002,281.28
Nats $60,328,000 59 $1,022,508.47
Orioles $67,101,666 64 $1,048,463.53
Dbacks $73,516,666 70 $1,050,238.09
Dodgers $100,414,592 95 $1,056,995.71
Blue Jays $80,538,300 75 $1,073,844
Royals $70,519,333 65 $1,084,912.82
Braves $96,726,166 86 $1,124,722.86
Mariners $98,904,166 85 $1,163,578.42
Angels $113,709,000 97 $1,172,257.73
Phillies $113,004,046 93 $1,215,097.27
Chi Sox $96,068,500 79 $1,216,056.96
Indians $81,579,166 65 $1,255,064.09
Red Sox $121,745,999 95 $1,281,536.83
Tigers $115,085,145 86 $1,338,199.36
Astros $102,996,414 74 $1,391,843.43
Cubs $134,809,000 83 $1,624,204.82
Yankees $201,449,189 103 $1,955,817.37
Mets $149,373,987 70 $2,133,914.10

Pedro

well, on sunday, Pedro Martinez only hit 90 mph once on the radar gun, and many of his pitches were in the 60s, but he is crafty and still knows how to fool batters, and he was the winner of the game.... My buddies Mr. Super Fan and French both claim that he's a lock on the hall of fame, despite having less than 220 victories now at the tail end of his career. Seems like a low number to me.... if you want to talk about someone who had a few great years, then Dale Murphy should be in the Hall, too .... but there you have it.... I'm glad I saw him, even if the Marlins lost.

Another Saturday Night

Well, my buddy French was talking about the National League East as we sat in the Upper Deck (B), watching the usual Marlins outing. Nolasco gives up two runs in the first (is this a REQUIREMENT of being a Marlins pitcher?) and the Marlins bats were doing their usual strike outs, and French says, "Well, you know, all the teams in the NL East have flaws," meaning the Phils and Mets (we were wondering if anyone could challenge Cubs in playoffs).... and then Uggla for once has a clutch hit with runners in scoring position, two out, driving in two runs and then, lo and behold, there go the Mets... They gave up FOUR walks in the bottom of the ninth, the first and last of which were UNintentional ... It wasn't so much that Marlins won, Mets lost... Still, with all those damn Met fans around, we walked away from the stadium happy.

A Humid Night with Too Many Mets Fans

Aw, man, Tuesday night was pretty awful. Losing 4-1 in front of 25,000, all of them packed into the lower deck. We were in our usual Tuesday half-price-with Herald-coupon seats in Section 102, by the Mets bullpen, and the place was packed, with thousands of people not knowing they're in a ballpark and need to sit down, and wandering out every half-inning it seemed to get more snacks. Clearly, it was a night showing why Dolphins football stadium is not built to watch baseball, with so many people obscuring home plate for too many plays, with my friend French bellowing, "Sit down!" far too many times.... And loud and chortling Mets fans everywhere, enough to give you a headache. But here it is, the end of July, and the $20 million Marlins are battling the $100 million Mets for first place, and I got to see a Big League game for $11.50... And Olsen settled down after giving up three straight doubles in the first.... And Anibel Sanchez returns on Thursday night ...

Baseball's Worst Team Ever

Hey, our pathetic starting pitching and we're 2-2. We're already way ahead of the Worst Team Ever ... http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1005243/1/index.htm

GOOD NEWS COMES IN 'NOs"

Ronnie sez:
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.