Reality Check: Conine to Phillies

Latest from the AYFKM department (Are You F'ing Kidding Me), Jeff Conine - Mr. Marlin! - is now a Phucking Phillie.

I can't believe this garbage.

This is a travesty, a national tragedy (for the Marlins Nation, of course) and we should all be outraged.

Jeff Conine was a member of our expansion team, drafted from the Kansas City Royals and a part of the original Marlins Bandwagon that toured the state in its inaugural year. I remember going to Regency Square Mall in Jacksonville and getting his autograph (along with Orestes Destrade, Gary Carter, Benito Santiago, Rene Lachman, and Dave O'brien of ESPN fame).

I remember his home run in the all star game.

I remember his productive career as a Marlin that warranted a World Championship trophy in '97 when he had a down year - to the point that the Marlins went out and got former Phillie Darren Daulton.

And then the return - in '03 when Jeff came along and seemed to make every big play possible to get us into the wildcard. And ask the Phillies - it hurt them every time as the Marlins dominated them in almost every head to head match that season.

Now this? This is how Jeff repays us loyal Marlin fans?! By going to Philadelphia and donning that ugly reddish jersey in that little league ballpark?

The sad thing is, I don't think it will be enough for the Phillies to stay ahead of the Marlins, let alone really win the wildcard. And the exercise in futility is what has me angered most - Jeff Conine in a Philly uniform?

Might as well dress up George Washington as a redcoat.

First Johnny Damon and now this? The world is at an end, my friends.

Wildcard Chronicles: Entry 567.3

I believe it was the great Ice Cube that once said, "You can't play wit my yo-yo...". Ok, so it was in reference to a cameo appearance he made for a female rapper Yo-Yo, who drove me yo-yo with her blond weave...but I digress.

The point is, this season has been just that - a yo-yo for the Marlins. Especially in regards to their wildcard hunt.

Everytime I would write something about their wildcard chances increasing, they would relapse. Then, when I would post something about how I thought they were done with the WC hunt, they would re-emerge. Apart from driving me crazy, it has been fun so far - and continues to be.

'How the hell', the media experts are asking, 'does a $15 million dollar payroll compete for the wildcard?' Well, when you got the talent the Marlins have, you can't help but win games.

The rotation has had to learn to throw strikes and help their teams win - and ironically, it is their rookies that are doing the heavy lifting. Same with the position players - save the Miguels; Cabrera and Olivo. Then again, everyone else on the field is a rookie.

But enough of the accolades for how well this young team is playing - it is no longer an anamoly since they have been doing this all season. In fact, it is time to expect them to compete and win each game out - the teaching Girardi has instilled in them since Spring Training. We are going to compete and expect to win every time out was his basic message.

Right now, the Marlins sit 3 games out of the wildcard. They are also 3 games under .500 and have won 7 games straight now - the longest current streak in the league. Only the Giants, Phillies, Padres and Reds sit up higher on the totem for now.

And you know what? I am not going to make any predictions or analysis. For once, I am going to let the team play and let it decide where it finishes up. These young guys have to gain the experience of contending first and come to grips with it anyway. The percentages are against them, as are the pundits. But we know where that leads - since critical acclaim seems to have always been leveled against the Marlins historically. All that did was end up in mud on many-a-face for those in the media.

How fun would it be to happen a second time around here? And with a $15M payroll? It is equivical to the Beverly Hillbillies showing up as noveau-riche to a high profile social ball. The snooty establishment doesn't want to see it happen, but it just might.

The young, scrappy and poor Marlins may crash the ball.

Marlins '06 campaign: a huge success

No matter whether or not the Marlins make the playoffs, this season can already be wrapped up as a big success for the Marlins. Probably, one of the better seasons in franchise history.

Sure it isn't winning the World Series, like in 2003 or in 1997 (feel free to debate which season was bigger), but this year there was so much anxiety and uncertainty heading into the season that to end up hovering around .500 and in the hunt for a wild card berth would be nothing more than miraculous. At least if you believed the pundits at the beginning of the season.

The offseason was termed another "firesale" by the media, which was far from kind when they classified the moves and failed to acknowledge the Marlins' stance as simply a "market correction". The attendance figures for the Marlins have not been good, historically, and a lot of that can be attributed to the facility it plays its home games at.

Yet, the attendance is on pace to break the million mark, which is one facet for success when considering this franchise's goals this season. It looked bleak after the first month.

Then it happened - the Marlins started to click. Whether it was Girardi finally resolving to the fact that he had no choice but to play every young player on this roster or the Marlins front choice gave him no alternative, the Marlins started to take off when Josh Johnson, Scott Olsen and Ricky Nolasco wiggled their way into the starting rotation. All that happened was each of these rookie starters have garnered double digit wins, as well as lots of critical acclaim, and also helped to stabilize the bullpen. This team, built historically with great pitching from the early Dombrowski-lead days to the current Beinfest regime, started to act and look like a Marlins team that fans have come to know over the years.

With the wins came confidence. And the talk of who would win the rookie of the year campaign. Seemingly out of nowhere emerged Dan Uggla, who not only was plucked from teh Rule V trash heap, on his way to a ROY-like campaign and grabbing free tickets to Pittsburgh as an all-star. Josh Willingham had a hot start, struggled in the middle months, but has recently re-emerged as the patient hitter with excellent power over the past month of August. Mike Jacobs has continued to build on his experience throughout the season while learning to play 1B and also supplying the Marlins with left-handed power from his spot in the lineup - possessing one of the sweetest swings since Wally Joyner or Will Clark. The blazing fast Hanley Ramirez not only has shown flashes of defensive brilliance while also adapting to become a smooth double play combo with Dan Uggla, also a Marlins' tradition, he has also been a very promising offensive weapon hitting at the top spot of the lineup.

These rookies have been able to entrench themselves in the Marlins lineup everyday and secure their positions. But the Marlins have also been able to find hidden gems in Joe Borowski, who currently has 29 saves for the second most in the NL, and in Miguel Olivo, whose steady bat and defensive presence behind the plate has been crucial. Both players were veterans looking for a chance to prove themselves, and like Todd Jones last season, Borowski is a comeback player of the year candidate. Miguel Olivo may have played himself into job security.

Miguel Cabrera, on the other hand, continues to blossom and show this game that he is the top young hitter in all of baseball and has the promise to supplant Albert Pujols as the #1 hitter in the game. Currently in 2nd place for the batting title, he has started to hit more home runs (now with 100 on his career in teal) and is among the league leaders in several offensive categories. Plus he brings fun to the game and to the clubhouse, where he is recognized as a leader. Recently, he was swinging Alfredo Amezaga, another excellent find for the Marlins, in a mock dance as if they were trapped in a big band dance hall.

So, on the field, there is much to chew on for Marlin fans and plenty to be excited about. Even if the Marlins can't hold on to their current pace and stay in the wild card race, they are gaining experience and building upon an expectation to win games and compete. The lessons will only prove immense for next season, not to mention for their rookie manager, Joe Girardi, who is also gaining experience as well as accolades, on his way through his first MLB marathon season as the big chief.

Girardi and Loria rift only tip of iceberg

Was Girardi actually fired by Loria only to be "re-hired" at the last second?

Was it really over a frustrating game and series of calls against the Dodgers that initiated the so-called rift?

Did Joe Girardi actually level profanity towards Jeffrey Loria in an attempt to keep his team - and the umpiring crew - focused on the game?

Or, was it a cunning and shrewd display put on by two bit actors in a grand drama designed to steer more attention towards a bad umpiring situation?

Regardless of what you believe, and there certainly will be conspiracies about it - from the supposed make-shift press conference ready to announce Girardi's firing - lost in all of this episode is the fact that the Marlins lost three games to the Dodgers on a series of questionable calls.

And by series, I don't mean just a few bad calls within a game, I mean an entire series that had some of us here scratching our teal-colored heads and wondering if there was some grand design to keep the Marlins down.

Think about it - what if a $15 million dollar payroll outperformed all the other wild card hopefuls in the National League and actually got a playoff berth. Would that be good for the game or a horrible black eye for Commish Bud and the MLBPA (minus Bonds, of course)? Well, while you contemplate that, and that in its fullest offers up plenty of incentive, there is still the question of whether or not there was a direct effect on the series for the Marlins.

Let's just go back to the Dodger game in question, the one that has Loria and Girardi trading barbs like two heavyweight fighters before a showdown fit for pay-per-view. With the Marlins ahead 3-1 in the top of the 7th and one out, Kensing works a 2-2 count on Julio Lugo, of DRay fame, but has to leave with a sore elbow (which would later land him on the DL). In comes Taylor Tankersley who gets called immediately for two balls on pitches that were right down the middle of the plate. With bases loaded, a run forced in, Loria loses it and starts his barking - no different than any other fan in attendance - at Larry Vanover, the home ump in the third game of the series.

The night before, Joe Girardi was tossed because of arguing balls and strikes - in teh 2nd inning. What is not really kept in mind is the fact that even Miguel Olivo felt the umpire, Chris Guccione, was squeezing Josh Johnson's strike zone and he made it known to Guccione. The rest was history. Olivo simply mentioned that call was the third call, by his estimation, that was right down the middle and called a ball. Guccione overreacted - by both Olivo's and Girardi's standards, sure, but Olivo never turned to face the umpire and Guccione instead came around from behind Olivo and started yelling at Olivo.

I am surprised Zidane didn't just come out of the crowd and headbutt Olivo instead.

Again, this episode with Guccione - who has a bad reputation around MLB - got Girardi ejected. The next night, Loria is in the stands calling out the umpire's strikezone, of none other than Larry Vanover.

Now, of course there is going to be some tension in this situation. The Marlins - and Dodgers, for that matter - are both trying to get to the playoffs and have legitimate chances (ok, the Marlins are still more of a longshot, but not too much so). The pressure was on.

Clearly the situation between both Girardi and Loria - whatever you may make of it - is one based on winning. Both men want to win and put that attitude on display. The fact that Girardi may have overstepped his bounds in how he handled himself with Loria - if speculative at worst - is just putting a blur on the entire strange incident.

What we had was a series of bad calls that may have cost the Marlins a game at the very least. This isn't about sour grapes, but simply trying to pull out of the wreck something of importance: MLB umpires have had a tough go of it, and it was almost a blatant choice of negligence that was levied against the Marlins.

Perhaps there is a conspiracy to keep the Marlins far and clear of any postseason chances. Perhaps the Marlins $15M payroll and shadowy attempts at securing their new stadium have something to it. At any rate, the 'rift' in only a distracting piece of background noise and perhaps we need to focus on something else in the picture.

Besides, the Marlins open up their series on the road tonight in LA against the very same Dodgers. Let's hope the umpiring is more consistent this time. And also, let's hope to hear less about the Girardi vs. Loria face off. It's like those old Wendy's ads, "where's the beef?"

SIMF's Offseason Rx for Marlins '06

Written by SouthernIllinoisMarlinFan

Moves I'd like to see in the offseason. Some of these might not be that popular but oh well:

- Athletics get Josh Willingham, Yusmeio Petit, and Miguel Olivo
Marlins get Mark Kotsay with half salary paid and Jason Kendall w/ half salary paid

- Sign Frank Catalanotto to take over in LF.

- Sign David Riske for the bullpen.

- Resign Joe Borowski.

- Resign Wes Helms

- Sign Damion Easley,

- Trade Sergio Mitre to Tigers for Nook Logan

- White Sox get Ricky Nolasco and Jason Vargas
Marlins get Freddy Garcia w/half salary paid

Lineup:
SS-Hanley Ramirez
CF-Mark Kotsay
3B-Miguel Cabrera
1B-Mike Jacobs
2B-Dan Uggla
Rf-Jeremy Hermida
C-Jason Kendall
LF-Frank Catalanotto

Matt Treanor, Damion Easley, Alfredo Amezaga, Nook Logan, Wes Helms

Rotation:
Dontrelle Willis
Freddy Garcia
Josh Johnson
Scott Olsen
Anibal Sanchez

Chris Resop, Randy Messenger, Joe Borowski, David Riske, Logan Kensing, Carlos Martinez,
Taylor Tankersly

Reasons for moves:
Why trade Nolasco? So we can get a good year out of playoff tested Garcia and get draft picks after the year.

Reason for trading Willingham, acquiring Kotsay and Kendall, and signing Catalonotto? Kind of the same reason. Get draft picks out of Kendall and Catalanotto after the year.

Reasons for bringing in Nook Logan? Might as well have a CF with some success at the MLB level. Mitre is not needed nor wanted in Florida.

Reasons for bringing in Riske and resigning Borowski? Same as said, get draft picks after the year by letting them walk, also gives time for Delgado and Garcia to get good and ready.

Amezaga has been quite good, as has Helms, and Easley was a nice bat off the bench.

Our system, already stacked with pitching, can survive the losses of Petit, Vargas, Mitre, and Nolasco.

Trade PTBNL+$$ to BoSawx for Brandon Moss

Use the picks gained from Catalanotto, Kendall, Borowski, and Riske to even further stock the system.

Let Easley, Helms, and Amezaga walk. If draft picks can be had(doubtful) by offering arbitration, thats just gravy. Trade Nook for PTBNL.

2008 Lineup:
SS-Hanley Ramirez
LF-Mark Kotsay
3B-Miguel Cabrera
1B-Mike Jacobs
2B-Dan Uggla
RF-Jeremy Hermida
LF-Kris Harvey or Gaby Sanchez
C-Brett Hayes or Torre Langley

Grant Psomas, Augustin Septimo, Matt Treanor, Eric Reed, Brandon Moss

SP-Dontrelle Willis
SP-Josh Johnson
SP-Scott Olsen
SP-Anibal Sanchez
SP-Jose Garcia

Chris Resop, Randy Messenger, Harvey Garcia, Jesus Delgado, Taylor Tankersly, SU-Carlos Martinez,
CL-Logan Kensing.

Marlins need to play with a chip on their shoulders

The Marlins just got swept by the Dodgers and got labeled 'listless' as a result. They lost by giving up huge leads despite their stellar trio of Anibal Sanchez, Josh Johnson and Scott Olsen heading to the mound on each contest. Dodgers averaged 7.7 runs per game while the staff was able to amass a 6.33 ERA.

That just won't get it done.

But there is also the umpiring controversy, which seemed to plague the Marlins this entire series and go completely in favor of the Dodgers. Some have claimed just short of a conspiracy; others have totally bought into it.

Regardless of where you place the blame, the Marlins have to get their act together. This is the second time this season they took a step forward to only take a huge step back. They would inch closer to .500, closer to the wild card lead, but then suffer by a bad stretch of games - this time, at the hands of the red hot Dodgers.

The last time the Marlins were swept was back on May 19-21 to the Devil Rays. All they did since May 22nd was compile one of MLB's best records.

Let's hope we see something similar from here on out from the Marlins.

They do need to play with a chip on their shoulder. There was a closed clubhouse discussion reserved for only players and coaches - no media - yesterday after the sweep was completed. Girardi likened it to school, saying class was in session. I am sure some fingers were pointing towards the men in blue, as they were several questionable calls. Either way, the Marlins now are faced with a 9 game road trip where they will play the Nationals, the Diamondbacks and the Dodgers. Going 9-0 would be ideal, and get them back to .500.

But only if they play like the world is against them. And maybe, that will start, once again, right now.