Every time a Bell rings, a Marlin gets obscenely rich

Well up to now, the Marlins have just been putting on a show.
They have new uniforms, an ugly statue, a brand new ballpark and a crazy new manager.

They've wined and dined every big free agent to show their fans they mean to add lots of payroll.

But unless you think of Wade LeBlanc as a big star pick up, they haven't actually brought anyone big in.

(And if Wade LeBlanc is your idea of a star, then chances are you think he played Joey.)

Well that changed a little bit this morning.
Heath Bell made the closer market a little thinner all the while paying all the bills for the rest of his life by signing a 3 year, $27 million contact with the Marlins.

Miami (not Florida) has their closer and will be the first indication to either Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder or most likely Jose Reyes that the checks will indeed clear.

That's good news.

My friend Gar, The Batting Stance Guy, wrote on Twitter "Could be construed as manipulative but Marlins final pitch to HBell included: "Padres still owe us for THoffman trade".

It's also good news for the Marlins that Josh Johnson is starting to throw again. A healthy Johnson in 2012 would be like trading for an ace without giving up any players.

Now it is risky to sign closers to big deals. He's in his mid 30s and relievers can flame out pretty quickly. But it is a safe bet that he'll give the Marlins a good year or two.

(Meanwhile, the Padres get some payroll flexibility and can stick someone like Ernesto Frieri or Anthony Bass in the closer role for a pittance all the while building up their farm system with two more picks. But that has more to do with my thoughts on why the Padres are in better shape that we think... I digress.)

The Marlins are hoping that the Phillies age will catch up with them and Ozzie (plus fans in the stands) can give the Marlins a boost. And with Bell closing games (and 2011 closer Juan Oviedo setting up) maybe they can indeed get back to October.

And remember, the Marlins are the only franchise in baseball to NEVER lose a playoff series. (If the Marlins win the 2012 World Series, put all Indians and Cubs fans on suicide watch!)

Take note free agents.
There could be a new big market big spender in baseball... at least for the next few months.

Like Tony Montana before them, the Marlins are in Miami and ready to spend money lavishly. Get in the game while they are spending.

And maybe they can activate that statue when he closes a game!

New Sully Baseball Video "Miami Marlins Monstrosity"

Did you see that INSANE new monstrosity that they are putting into centerfield for the new Miami stadium?

It's bonkers. And I kind of like it.
It's the subject of the latest Sully Baseball video.

Enjoy the video.

And as always, you can see all the videos at my ShortForm TV page.

Logan Morrison needs a new nickname

Logan Morrison is a talented member of the Marlins and might very well be a key player as the team enters a new ballpark and a new identity.

But while speaking of identities, he needs a nickname.
Why? you ask.

Because look at how his recent home run highlight was listed on MLB.com.

LO MO???

What kind of crap nickname is that?
Seriously.

How lazy do we have to be to keep assigning garbage nicknames to players?

How about a good old fashioned alliteration name.

"Mallet" Morrison.

The Mallet Mashes It!

Or a play on his first name?

"Long Gone Morrison!"

Or there was that time he was attacked by a Praying Mantis.

He can be called "The Mantis!"

We need SOMETHING!

We need to end the era of first sound of the first name and first sound of the last name as a nickname.

I am sure he might not want to be associated with a Praying Mantis but it's a start!

Please.

As I said before... we need to work on our nicknames.

I hope a contender signs Wes Helms

Call me a sentimental old fluff, but a contender should pick up the recently released Wes Helms. The former Marlin third baseman doesn't have much in the tank. After 69 games this year, he has any many homers as me. (That would be zero.)

He has no power, his on base skills are non existent and he is under the Mendoza line.

I still don't get OPS+, but I am sure that 42 isn't good.

But he has put in 11+ years in the big leagues. He was an Atlanta Brave for years but missed their World Series runs. He was a Phillie and played in the 2007 playoffs but was a Marlin when the Phillies went to back to back World Series.

He's one of those veterans who has been a nice but not great player for a decade. His career is probably not going to continue in 2012.

But he is also someone who would truly cherish a pennant drive. And you can't tell me that a veteran like Helms on the bench would HURT!

Every year there is a guy who plays in the post season who gets a garbage time pinch hit at bat or fills in defensively in a blow out that makes me say "Oh man, I forgot he was still cashing a check!"

And every once in a while that player gets to have that elusive ring.

Did you remember Ken Phelps was on the 1989 A's?

Or Geoff Jenkins on the 2008 Phillies?

Or Todd Hollandsworth on the 2003 Marlins?

Or sometimes that veteran can just be a nice piece to the clubhouse even if they are not active. Royce Clayton "I didn't get my Taco!" rant was the most memorable part of the 2007 World Series and he didn't even play!

So come on, contenders. Open your roster. You get to give your third baseman a day off and a nice veteran player can play for one last burst of glory.

Sign Wes Helms.

You'll thank me later.

Marlin fans... don't get worked up over the stadium name

The Marlins new ballpark is coming along around the site of the old Orange Bowl.
What's it going to be called?

According to Big League Stew, one of my favorite reads on line, some Marlin fans are worried about the name sounding too corporate. Or perhaps even worse taking on a name that would make everyone think of a foreign conglomerate.

Let me say something very clear here, Marlins fans.
WHO CARES?

Listen to me and listen well. (I think that was grammatically correct.)

Would you rather have a stadium that SOUNDED great or that was a great place to see a ballgame?

The worst era of baseball stadiums gave us some of the best names for parks in history.
And the current crop of stadiums have decidedly mediocre or cold and corporate sounding names.

Let me show you what I mean.

Take Philadelphia for example.

The Phillies used to play in Veterans Stadium.

That is a great name for a sporting venue. Honoring the military, it had a nice rhythm to its name and a cool nickname as well.

"The Vet."

And it was an awful cookie cutter park. It was dark and ugly and unappealing.

But it had a cool name. MUCH cooler than Citizens Bank Ballpark.
Which is a better place to play?

Two of the greatest stadium names EVER were Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati and Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh.


Both were perfectly tailored to their cities. The Ohio River was the lifeblood of Cincinnati and its stadium name reflected that.

Pittsburgh was formed at the meeting points of the Ohio Monongahela and Allegheny rivers, and the stadium name paid tribute to all three.

Look at the two pictures above. Quickly... which one is which? Chances are you have to look at the surroundings of the stadium to figure out which one is in Pittsburgh and which one is in Cincinnati instead of looking at the stadium itself.

The names didn't make the stadium.

Jack Murphy helped bring big league sports to San Diego and the stadium honored him... and was a dull dull dull stadium.

Compare that to the corporate named PetCo Park, which is a fabulous stadium in the heart of the city.

It is a stadium that would make Jack Murphy proud.



I would say few ballpark names were better than Candlestick Park.

It had geographic relevance. It was descriptive of where in San Francisco it was located.

Calling it a Park instead of a Stadium was a nice touch. And it had a wonderful nickname, "The Stick."

And as someone who went to many games there, I can tell you "The Stick" sucked. It was cold. It was ugly. It was poorly designed for baseball and equally ill fitting for football. It was freezing in August and there was one road leading in and out which meant traffic jams even if the game had a tiny crowd.

Compare that to the coldly corporate sounding AT&T Park. Its name reflects corporate take overs as it was originally Pacific Bell Park, then SBC Park and finally the Death Star's stadium.

And it is the most beautiful, most fan friendly and unique new ballpark in the country with fascinating features and the greatest new tradition in baseball: The boats in McCovey Cove.


It's not all in the name, Marlins fans.
You guys are finally getting a baseball only stadium and who knows? Miami might become a destination spot for free agents. Fans can come out to the game and not be baked or rained upon. And the core of players are talented. It might be a glorious time for a franchise that has a World Series title in each of the last two decades.

So who cares if it is called Blackwater Stadium?

It's a potentially great new place where all new memories of terrific and possibly sustained Marlins teams can grow.

Names are irrelevant.

Take a look at the current Marlins stadium. I think it changed names twice since I started writing this blog post.

I honestly thought it was still called Dolphin Stadium.

Evidently it is called Sun Life Stadium... not to be confused with Joe Robbie Stadium, Pro Player Park, Pro Player Stadium and Land Shark Stadium.

If the new park changes its name as often as the old one did, it won't matter. The PARK will be where you will be happy, no matter what it is called.

If not Miami then Seattle... that makes sense

So the Marlins had to abandon their own stadium for the weekend because U2 needed time to set up their concert.

Actually that's not a true. The Marlins stadium isn't ready until next year. So they are just borrowing the Dolphins' stadium as they have every year since 1993.

(I can't keep track of what it is called. Is it Joe Robbie? Pro Player? Landshark? Sun Life? Chico Bail Bonds Park?)

I admit the economics make sense. U2 is going to draw a hell of a lot more people than the Mariners/Marlins game, so Bono, the Edge and company need the time to set up. (I really hope they aren't doing any of that Spider-Man stuff.)

But does the location shift make sense?
Sure they can't play in Miami, but did they HAVE to go 3,287 miles to find another venue?

After all, they are the FLORIDA Marlins!
Couldn't they play a weekend in a smaller Florida city?

The Wide World of Sports complex in Orlando is available.

There is no game in Bradenton, Clearwater, Jupiter, Fort Myers or Dunedin today.
The Jacksonville Suns are out of town this weekend.

Perhaps there could be a novelty of a Major League game being played in a smaller town. Maybe instead of a 2/3 empty Safeco Field in Seattle hosting an impromptu game where the Mariners wear their road grays, maybe have a smaller Florida town become a big league city for a day.

Wouldn't that make more sense?
Of course it would... that's why it isn't happening.

Hey look at that! The Marlins actually won a game!

For only the second time this month, the Marlins won a game. It was 2 managers ago that they last won.

And THIS time Jack McKeon decided to let Hanley Ramirez play and he responded with 2 hits.

Hey, every single time Jack McKeon has taken over the Marlins in mid season, they went on to win the World Series.

You can look it up.

Not much is different in Marlins land

Meet the new boss.
Same as the old boss.

Actually he IS the old boss.
The REALLY old boss.

Chris Jaffe wrote a great piece on how old Jack McKeon is for The Hardball Times.
Well his first decision didn't bode well for the return of Trader Jack.

He benched Hanley Ramirez.
Yeah yeah yeah. He was showing his star that nobody was safe.

Yeah yeah yeah. Old School blah blah blah.

The team lost again.
They lost their 11th straight game.
They lost 2-1.

Hanley Ramirez could have been helpful.

The Fish had better win a game pretty soon. They are 9 games in the loss column out of a Wild Card spot.

Or else Trader Jack might be trading away some of his players.

It's a lot like 1985 in Florida

OK... the Marlins finally did what I thought they should do. Edwin Rodriguez's managerial tenure ended.

Someone named Brandon Hyde managed today. Technically Hyde is the 6th manager that the Marlins have had since Jeffrey Loria took over the team in 2002.

I am guessing that there will be an 8th manager in 10 seasons.

But wait.

What's this coming from the woodwork?

Jack McKeon could be coming back!

Look, I know he showed up midway through the 2003 season and led the fish to the World Series title... but Jack McKeon was no spring chicken when he took over the Reds in 1997, let alone 2003!

He was 74 when he last managed in 2005.
That was 6 years ago.

He's an 80 year old man.

Seriously, why not sign Earl Weaver? He's still alive.

Suddenly the Marlins are reminding me of two of my favorite movies from 1985.

With McKeon they are going Back to the Future.

But McKeon could use something to make him young and vibrant. Well, Cocoon DID take place in Florida!

If I could have found a connection to Pee Wee's Big Adventure, then I would have hit the 1985 movies jackpot.

Marlins... DO SOMETHING

I actually LIKE the Marlins.
I PICKED the Marlins.

I would like to see them do well this year.
But they are 12 games back of Philadelphia in the loss column right now.

They are falling into Astros/Dodgers/Padres/Cubs territory in the Wild Card race. In other words they are tumbling into "Lost Season-Ville" if they don't do something.

It's getting gruesome.

Do something.

Edwin Rodríguez has managed a full season

Tonight was Edwin Rodríguez's 162nd game as Marlins manager. That's as many games as Joe Girardi got.

He is 78-83 over those 162 games. But the last 17 haven't fared well.

The Marlins are 1-16 this month. That is grotesque.

And as of this writing not only are they in last place by themselves, but losing ground to the Nationals of all teams.

Something needs to be done and one of the real options is to wave the white flag for this year and make a deal or two for the future.

Or make a change with the manager. It is early enough that a great month could get them back into the pennant race. But June is already lost. A lost July and what should have been the warm up to the better days in the new ballpark will be lost.

I can't stress enough... I have NOTHING against Edwin Rodriguez. But he was an interim manager who very well might have shown that he isn't the guy to lead this team.

A lot of managers are let go after one full season. Rodríguez has given the Fish that.

It's time for a change.

It might be time to cut bait with the Fish

On May 26th, the Marlins behind Anibal Sanchez's complete game shutout swept the World Champion Giants and moved to within 1 game of first place.

They were 10 games over .500 and my prediction that they would win the Wild Card looked pretty good at the 1/3 mark of the season.

The Marlins have lost 18 of their last 21 games.

We are more than halfway through June and they have a grand total of one win this month.

They got swept by the Phillies.
And of this writing they are in last place.

They went from 10 games over .500 to 5 games UNDER .500 in less than a month.

I wrote last Sunday that Edwin Rodriguez's job might in trouble.

Now I can imagine him being fired in mid game.

Something needs to be done in Florida and firing the hitting coach ain't it.

I'd like to see the Marlins get a quality innings eater... or a dominating reliever...

Instead I think Rodriguez is getting a pink slip.

I'm rooting for him. He's an underdog baseball lifer. But I also think Bobby Valentine is looking at rentals in South Florida.

Edwin Rodriguez should get his resume ready

Seriously Edwin... I hope you don't think you have job security!
Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria is a little quick with the trigger finger when it comes to showing managers the door.

It worked in 2003 when he dumped his buddy Jeff Torborg and brought in ancient Jack McKeon. The result was the 2003 World Series title.

Since then? Well Joe Girardi had the team in contention despite a microscopic payroll in 2006... and was fired.

Your predecessor Fredi Gonzalez led the Marlins to back to back winning seasons despite the leagues lowest payroll... and was fired.

You? You have one of the most talented Marlins rosters in their history. Expectations are high.
The Marlins were tied with the Phillies in the loss column on May 26th.

Since then the fish had flopped, losing 12 of their next 15 games including a nice big fat 8 game losing streak.

Better start winning, Edwin.
Joe and Fredi got jobs... but their resume was a little bit better.

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Uniform Prejudice

What if I told you there was a great game tonight?
I described the game as between two clubs that have won it all in the past 10 years.
One team was in the LCS as recently as 2007.
The other team is loaded with young talent.

They both would be in the Division Series if the playoffs started today.
They both had solid pitching, exciting young hitters and were hungry to add to their World Series tally.

And one team jumped out to a 4-0 lead thanks in part to a home run and a triple from their rising young offensive star.

And the other team came back to tie the game and take the lead.

Then a top of the 9th inning blast by the newly acquired former All Star catcher tied the game.
But the home team won it with a walk off hit from THEIR big rising star.

It was an awesome game.
And if it were Red Sox and Yankees, it would go into the archives.
If it were Cardinals and Cubs or Phillies and Mets or Dodgers and Giants it would be the game of the night.

Instead it was the Marlins versus the Diamondbacks.

Can you imagine if I called someone and said "Are you WATCHING the Marlins and Diamondbacks game?"

They would have to assume a UFO landed on the middle of the field because why the hell else would I be watching that match up?

But why wouldn't I? They are two young and exciting baseball teams. Justin Upton? Mike Stanton?

They are a hell of a lot more interesting that watching the Mets, Dodgers or Cubs... three teams that SHOULD be the best in the National League.

I'll say it. We have uniform prejudice. We have a hard time thinking "What a great match up" when we hear "Diamondbacks and Marlins."

Even though they BOTH beat the Yankees in the World Series last decade, they are still looked on as the new kids who don't have the pedigree of an old team (like the Pirates.)

I bet you are going to see some uniform prejudice in hockey this year. The Atlanta Thrashers are moving to Winnipeg.

Same players. Same organization.
But in Atlanta the players have an aura of playing in warm weather. How could they be tough?

Not like the rock hard team in Winnipeg!

Nothing has changed but the threads.

We have perceptions based on the uniforms.
And it is odd.

So let me go on the record... the Marlins and Diamondbacks played the game of the night last night.

It only sounds odd with a closed mind.

Rise and Shine! There is baseball to be played

Hey Phillies.
I hope you weren't wiped out after a 19 inning marathon the led to your utility infielder pitching and winning.

Hey Reds, hope you weren't too frustrated after blowing a 10th inning lead only to lose the game 9 innings later.

Hey Marlins, hope the roller coaster of blowing a 4 run 9th inning lead only to win in extra innings wasn't to taxing.

Hey Giants, I hope the highs of the 9th inning come back wasn't too high and the remorse following Buster Posey's injury isn't too severe.

Because you have to shake it off!
You have a day game right after overwhelmingly emotional extra innings games.

SOMEONE is going to get blown out today.

I can feel it.

Wait... The Giants and Marlins are STILL PLAYING?

I finished watching the end of the 19 inning game in Philadelphia and I saw the Marlins tacked on some insurance runs at AT&T Park.

So I took out the trash, emptied the dish washer, went upstairs to bed.
I checked the scoreboard to see tomorrow's schedule... and I saw it was 6-6 in the 11th inning.

Man, I wonder if THIS will go 19 innings as well!

(I smell another walk off win for the Giants.)

Coolest game of the night... Marlins and Nationals?

Seriously... what more did you want in a game?
Extra innings... late inning rallies...




Roger Bernadina made a jaw dropping full extension snow cone grab in center field that is a lock for SportsCenter highlights for years to come.





Then Omar Infante scored the winning run with a bizarre and brilliant slide, putting his hand around catcher Wilson Ramos' tag.

What more do you want?

Teams other than the Marlins and Nationals?

I can't help you with that.

Don't blame me for blowing Anibal Sanchez's no hitter

OK, I feel a LITTLE bad about writing a post about Anibal Sanchez and pitchers throwing no hitters while he had a no no after 6.

But in the post I NEVER said that Sanchez was throwing a no hitter. I just said there were a lot of pitchers throwing no hitters late into the game and had a picture of Sanchez.

Alas almost EXACTLY after I posted it, Laynce Nix of the Nationals hit a low line drive that Mike Stanton couldn't catch, ending the no hitter.

I DIDN'T DO IT!
I didn't jinx anything!

(Then why do I feel badly?)

I am liking this post steroid baseball

Doesn't it seem like every day there is a pitcher taking a no hitter into the late innings? I think it is pretty cool.

Why am I including a picture of Marlins pitcher Anibal Sanchez?
No reason.

(I didn't jinx anything!)