This Could Be It (Deluxe 2007 Edition)

Today's game would definitely end the Marlins season and possibly end the Mets season as well. Meaningful game, anyone?

Dontrelle goes up against Tom.

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BINGO!: Marlins celebrate at Shea as the Mets clean out their lockers - Fish win 8-1, and the Phillies win the NL East.

Working Overtime

Craig took time off from his weekend and said pretty much what needed to be said about the front office promotions and yesterday's 'brawl'.

Agggh! Quick! Re-up the Doses of Hypnoses!!!

At 2:00 PM ET, the Marlins are losing 5-0 at the end of the 2nd inning. (Hope they won't need the scolpolamine.)

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RE-CRAP: Marlins found out they were playing the Mets, lost 13-0. Hanley was hit by a pitch that was ruled a foul ball, but x-rays were negative. Player of the Game is Paul Hoover, who kept the Mets from no-hitting the Fish.

Marlins Finish the Season at (Chicago) Against the (Cubs)

All the Marlins need to do to insure that they finish out the year on a winning note is to get the team hypnotist to convince the players and coaches that they are actually playing the Cubs in Chicago this weekend. (It may make the team's free hours a little confusing, but hey, just keep them on the bus.) Mr. Kim pitches against the (Cubs') pitcher Mr. Perez.

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IT-WORKS: Fish win 7-4

Sun Sets at Home

A late afternoon game to finsh out the home season. Projected start time is 4:05 ET. Projected starters are the infamous Scott Olsen against the incremental Steve Trachsel.

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KUNK: That?s the soul-enriching sound of the jaws of all those Cubs fans all over the planet dropping on the floor as the Marlins win their 10th straight against Chicago, 6-4.

Jim Beattie Now Interim Bullpen Coach

Beinfest's old buddy has a shot at the pitching coach job. (MLB)

Next...

With Kranitz safely out of the ballpark, Willis pitched his best game of the year. Here's hoping that same magic passes on to Barone. Jason Marquis should start for Chicago, weather permitting.

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YES: Barone wasn't great but the bullpen was - Marlins beat the Cubs 7-4.

The Fun Thing About Cubs Fans

At least for the moment, the words 'curse' and 'collapse' will be constantly flying through their heads. (FOXsports)(HookLineDriveSinker)

Welcome Cubbies!

It was probably good that we didn't have a game yesterday as we had on-and-off rain storms throughout the day - oh oh, it seems the same weather's predicted for tonight. Well, at least it will rain on piles of Cubs fans.

Dontrelle gets the start tonight with speculation heating up about his future with the Fish. Ted Lilly attempts to dodge the raindrops for the Cubs.

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ALRIGHT: It didn't rain, but Dontrelle gives up only 2 hits and gets the win as the Marlins beat the Cubs 4-2.

Beinfest to Kranitz: "If You Can't Committ, Then You Must've Quit"

Aggravated Larry peeved that Rick didn't accept Marlins' paltry pay raise, tells him good luck finding another job.

(MiamiHerald)(SunSentinelBlog)(PalmBeachPost)

Fish Off Today

It's the last day off until there are a lot of days off. If you wish you can check to see if the Nats can soften up the Mets at Shea.

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RESULT: Mets softened.

"Equity Seat Rights"?

I saw an ad saying "Equity Seat Rights" posted next to the Marlins dugout when I was at the game on Saturday, and wondered "What the...?" Sarah Talalay explains what it means, and how it could possibly affect the Marlins' future plans...(Blogs.Trb.com)

Go Figure

The Marlins lead the league in strikeouts, but are 4th best in the majors in homers, and will probably beat the team record in runs scored. The stadium in Miami surprisingly is now a homerun-hitting park (7th in the majors), but again it's little help to the Marlins, who now "have the worst home record in baseball (33-45)".

Split the Spoilin'?

It's Maine verses Seddon today as the Fish try to even the series.

If that won't get you to the game, then it's Jeff Conine's final game in Miami, so go to the game today and give him a ovation.

And if that's not enough to get you out there, how about this? - they are giving away Mermaids Calendars today.

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FISH-PUT-UP-A-FIGHT: The Marlins fought back from 3 runs behind to tie the game in the ninth, but finally lost to the Mets 7-6 in 11 innings.

Live Spoilin'

Fox will be televising the game today (the FOX Screwballs are already here). I'll be at the game today with some pretty good seats, so it may be my first chance to be on HDTV. Look down the third-base line and, if you see some nondescript person who doesn't look like much of anyone, that may or may not be me. Super Saturday will feature Vince Neil and Quiet Riot and fireworks.

Beltran and Cody and Hammer are all listed as day to day, but Delgado came back with a vengance last night, and Wagner may be ready to pitch tonight (hopefully not needed).

Byung-Hyun Kim and Oliver Perez both pitched badly last time out. Here they come again.

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SPOIL: Oliver did better than Kim, and the Mets win 7-2. Quiet Riot arrived late. Vince Neil's volume was turned up. At least it didn't rain.

The Number One Marlins Fan

He greets players at spring training, at home and away games, he takes them to dinner, he loans his car to the pitching coach - he's such a fan that even security has been called. (PalmBeachPost)

Time For Some Spoilin' (Yom Kippur Edition)

It'll be Scott verses Pedro tonight. Shawn Green will probably not play.

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OY-VEY: Marlins make a team-record 6 errors and give up 8 unearned runs, but still could have tied it in the 8th until Schoeneweis showed up to shut the Fish down - Marlins lose 9-6.

Time for Some Spoilin'

D-Train verses Tom Terrific tonight. Unfun Stat: The Mets have won eight straight in Miami Gardens.

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SPOILIN-FUN: Dan smacks a liner into the oufield scoreboard that brings Hanley (fresh from his 200th hit this season) in from first, and the Marlins defeat the Mets in the bottom of the 10th, 8-7. The Fish came back from a 3-0 defecit in the 5th, and scored 3 runs in the 9th to tie. Dontrelle bunted on and doubles, Dan hits 2 single and 2 doubles, Miggy doubles and homers. Honourable mention goes to Mr. Marlin Jeff C., who struck out 3 times to end Mets innings.

Barone vs. James Tonight

Dontrelle has been pushed back a day to Thursday against Glavine.

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YA-WIN-4-YA-LOSE-4: Fish lose 5-1, get swept for the 9th(!) time this season.

CLARIFICATION: "The Marlins were swept for the seventh time this season in a series of at least three games in duration."

It's "The Florida Marlins: Season 15 DVD"

Operators are standing by (just not near their phones). (HookLineDriveSinker)

Chris Seddon vs. Jo-Jo Reyes Tonight

Hope the brutality doesn't get out of hand.

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FUDGE: Fish fail 4-3.

Pitcher Potporri

Anibal to meet with the tightwad Marlins in his continuing attempt to regain his major-league status...Sergio winding down...AND: "The Marlins could culminate their season with 12 complete-game shutouts and their rotation ERA would still be a robust 4.93." (SunSentinel)

In Case You're Wondering...

You may have noticed that I have not made any mention about what caught the sports-news-world's attention last week, nor have I even linked to any of the stories or commentaries or blog postings or one-liners.

Kim Battles Smoltz in Atlanta Tonight

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OH-BOTHER: In some ways it seems perversely appropriate that, a day after the Marlins website posts an article entitled "Kim Settling in With Florida", that same Mr. Kim would stride confidently to the mound at Turner Field and give up about eight-hundred runs to the Braves. Okay, so that was a little exaggerated. Nevertheless, tonight's performance has suddenly put him (Kim) in hot contention for the Marlins' "Awful Starter of the Year" contest, which is coming down to the wire with no clear winner in sight. Meanwhile, Alfredo had no clear baseball in sight out in centerfield, and Miggy's hit streak ends.

Shall the Brooms Come Out?

Olsen against Morales today.

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NO-BROOMS: Marlins get collective butts kicked, 13-0.

More History

Besides Cabrera's first grand slam, he also "became the third active player to reach triple-digit RBI in each of the past four seasons."

But not only that, Miguel became "the third-youngest batter in baseball history with four consecutive 100-RBI seasons, trailing only Mel Ott and Ted Williams. He is the youngest right-hander in baseball history with four 100-RBI seasons in a row."

And not only that, but on Friday "Kevin Gregg became the fourth different Marlins pitcher in as many years to close at least 30 games. Armando Benitez (47) started the run in 2004 and it continued with Todd Jones (40) and Joe Borowski (36).

"According to the Elias Sports Bureau, no other team in major league history has had four different 30-save closers in a four-year span."

This Could Be It (Part 2)

The Marlins are 15.5 games back in the Wild Card race and they have 15 games to go, so it has been announced that they have been eliminated. But it seems that the Padres, who are leading the Wild Card at the moment, have 16 games left to play. Maybe my math is screwed up, but if the Marlins win (and the Padres lose) every game from here on, and every one else in the race loses just the right amount for the rest of the season, then we got ourselves a tie for the Wild Card. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Mitre is up against Ubaldo Jimenez tonight. Sergio is coming off nine days of rest, and this is his first time he's ever pitched in Denver. So expect his sinker to be flying up into the batter's faces.

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BINGO: San Diego wins, so I can uncross my fingers. But Sergio's sinker sunk for a good while, and Miguel Cabrera hits his first-ever grand slam, as the Marlins defeat the fading Rockies 10-2.

Willis Against Fogg in Denver

A positive note: "Florida has won five of the past seven games at Coors Field." (ABClocal)

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MAKE-THAT-SIX-OF-EIGHT: Dontrelle gets a win as the Fish beat the Rocks 7-6.

'The Keeper of The Mouse' Passes Away

Ralph Kent dies at age 68. The 'Disney Legend' "trained other artists to draw Mickey Mouse and was responsible for deciding what merchandise related to the cartoon rodent was released." The reason I'm posting this in here is that, according to this article, he also designed "the big fish that represents baseball team the Florida Marlins."

MORE: "In addition to his work with Disney, he designed Billy Buffalo, the mascot for the Buffalo Bills pro football team, and Billy the Marlin, the mascot for the Florida Marlins major league baseball team, his wife said." (BaltimoreSun)

Questions, Questions

Mike Berardino sums up pretty much all of the questions facing this franchise during the offseason. (SunSentinel)

No Game Today

Hope Todd got some Pollo Tropical before flying to Denver. Also glad to hear that Mr. Kim is improving in his English (his example came over loud and clear on the radio too). And congratulations to Mr. ans Mrs. Ramirez on the birth of Hanley Jr.

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Forget Your Job, or Take a Long Lunch...

...and come out and see what promises to be the smallest crowd of the year. Hanrahan against Kim today.

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DOUBLE-YIPPIE: Fish beat Nats in 12, 5-4.

Marlins Have More Homers than Yankees

"Entering Tuesday, the Marlins and Yankees were tied in team home runs with 184 each."

On Tuesday the Marlins hit 4 homers, while the Yankees hit only 2.

"Only three teams have gone deep more: Milwaukee (201), Cincinnati (188) and Philadelphia (186)."

The Reds and Phillies got one homer each on Tuesday, so the Marlins have slipped ahead of Philly on the list and are now in third place.

Mike Jacobs thinks the homers shouldn't be tampered with, but hitting coach Jim Presley thinks the Marlins "have become too dependant on the long ball."

Miggy Makes Sick Kids Smile...

...as he visits Holtz Children's Hospital. He also gives award money to the International Kids Fund. (MLB)

Seddon Makes His First MLB Start Tonight

He'll be up against Mike Bacsik.

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YIPPIE: Marlins beat Nats 13-8. Atlanta beats the Mets; Phillies lose.

News Notes

Scott continues to talk even as Fredi won't... VandenHurk shut down...Treanor not broken...Mitre gets some rest. (MiamiHerald)

OH-YEAH: ...and Dan broke the team record for homers in a season. (PalmBeachPost)

The Nats are Back

Scott Olsen, who one minute is doing one-on-one with our wounded veterans and the next minute is belittling David Samson (pun, anyone?), faces Shawn Hill in beautiful Miami Gardens tonight. A huge crowd of empty seats is expected.

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LOWER: Marlins lose to Nationals 5-4, drop a half-game in the Wild Card oblivion race.

Take the D-Train to Philly?

'A Philadelphia writer asked if Willis could envision himself playing for the Phillies with shortstop Jimmy Rollins, Willis' boyhood friend in California.

'"I'll play anywhere. Whoever wants me," said Willis, who is eligible for arbitration again after the season. "I have friends on the team. J-Roll loves it here. He speaks very highly of it here. He always gives me a hard time about coming over here, but whatever happens, happens. It's a very passionate town. They love the Phillies. There's nothing wrong with that....But again, I'm with Florida. Until I hear otherwise, this is where I want to be."' (PalmBeachPost)

$tadium $mackdown

"When UM decided to abandon the Orange Bowl at the end of this season for nicer digs at North Dade's Dolphin Stadium, it freed up $85 million that the city of Miami planned to use to renovate the decaying Little Havana landmark....

"Though the ultimate decision of how to spend the $85 million will be decided by city and county commissioners, influential administrators and elected officials in both Miami-Dade governments said recently they had no problem targeting it to help the financially struggling franchise build a ballpark....

"Even though the $85 million in city and county funding would more than cover the funding gap, the plan depends on the Marlins making a $207 million contribution -- an amount they have not said they will match if the team is offered a stadium at the Orange Bowl." (MiamiHerald)

A Tight(wad's) Ship

Reports indicate smiles and laughs all around as Girardi visited with his old team and their new manager before Saturday's game. Then, after Girardi left, old Captain Bligh (oops, I mean Jeffrey) sauntered down to the batting cage, just to make sure another "player revolt" wasn't happening. (PalmBeachPost)

This Could Be It (Part 1)

If Pedro secures a Mets win and if the Marlins somehow lose with Dontrelle on the mound (yes, it has been known to happen), then the Fish will be eliminated from the NL East race. Marlins-killer Jamie Moyer flings for the Fillies today.

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BINGO: Marlins lose to Phillies 8-5, and the Mets win, and Washington beats the Braves.

VandenHurk Against Ennis Today

But that's not the big story. The big story is whether Girardi will grab a razor and start shaving everybody in the Marlins clubhouse,

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NO-CLOSE-SHAVE: Fish lose to Phils 9-1. Atlanta beats the Nats, Mets win.

Back to Philadelphia

Kim, who seems to be the only Korean player in the majors at the moment, faces Durbin in a rematch of last Saturday's game, with hopefully similar results.

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REPEAT: Kim and Olivo do the job as the Marlins win over the Phillies 6-3. (Hey, Olivo even walked!) Mets win, Atlanta beats Washington.

Compression Time

We're getting to that point in the season where football starts to rule the sports pages, and so baseball writers, especially for home teams that ain't going anywhere playoff-wise, will be cramming as much info as they can into one article. In that spirit, (and also I'm late for work,) here's a bunch of articles scrunched up into one post.

(Andy's Star-Spangled-Banner Contest)

(Girardi Doing Marlins FOX Broadcast)

(Larry Likes The Bullpen)

(Stuff on Payroll and Players)

No NL East Games Today

But there are 5 other games scheduled. Meanwhile one year ago today Anibal threw his no-hitter.

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Hanley May Get Into 50-50 Club

ALSO: Reggie has been named the PCL player of last week. (MiamiHerald)

Wild Night In Washington

After being lifted in the first inning, Mitre reportedly tried to remove a fan (the spinning kind, not the drunken kind). Then at the end of the game someone allegedly tried to rob a vendor on the 5th floor of the stadium and then shot himself in the leg.

The Last Marlins Game in RFK

Mitre against Redding tonight.

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LAST-AND-LEAST: Fish lose, get swept by Nats. Mets and Phillies lose, Braves win.

Congrats

...To Miguel on his 500th RBI, and to the Marlins visiting the wounded soldiers at Walter Reed. (MiamiHerald)

Contrasting Styles

--- "It was a finish any closer would rather forget. But there was Kevin Gregg, moments after he gave up a two-run single in the bottom of the ninth Tuesday night, watching the replay on a TV in a quiet corner of the clubhouse....

"(A)fter he loses, he's determined to learn what he must to prevent it from happening again - even if it means breaking down the ugly moment on tape.

"'I'm always trying to educate myself and make myself better,' he said." (PalmBeachPost)

--- "The Marlins have decided to push back Scott Olsen's next start. Instead of facing the Phillies on Friday, Olsen will throw side sessions today and Friday, and pitch against the Nationals on Monday at Dolphin Stadium.

"'He's going to work on something that [pitching coach Rick Kranitz] saw from last year's video that may help out,' Gonzalez said. 'We have to try to fix him.'...

"Olsen didn't sound enthusiastic about the new plan, saying: 'I don't have a choice.'" (SunSentinel)

Dontrelle Against Shawn Hill Tonight

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UGH!: Willis pitched a beauty, but with Gregg it went ka-blooey. The Marlins, who had the lead from the top of the 5th till the second out of the ninth, lose to the Nats 4-3, and will be alone in last place until at least their 1st game in the next series at Philly. Mets win, Philly beats Atlanta.

Would You Like Fries With That?

The GM of Roger Dean Stadium is leaving baseball to run a Chick-Fil-A. (PalmBeachPost)

Call-Ups

The Marlins have already brought in Garcia, Seddon and Hoover, and according to Maverick will be calling up four more today, but the front office has reportedly decided not to bring up Volstad and Hernandez.

The Battle in the Basement

Florida and the Nationals, both with 60-77 records, meet for three in RFK. VandenHurk against Bergmann today.

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BLECH: Marlins get beat by the Nats 6-3. Mets win, Atlanta beats Philly.

OUCH!

If you saw the 9th inning yesterday, it was hard not to notice the pain Matt Treanor was in, which made the 3-2 counts and the loading of bases that much more excruciating to watch. After the game he said that his knee "has a lot of fluid in there...I don't know what it will be like [Monday]. I don't think there is any damage, but we'll have to see." Fearless prediction: he won't be in the lineup today.

Eaton Vs. Olsen Today

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2-IN-A-ROW: Fish hold on by the film on the skin of their teeth, beating the Phils 7-6. Mets beat Braves, Nats win.

Hmmm.....

There were 3 winners in the contest on the Phillies radio broadcast on Friday.

That made me wonder if anyone has ever won the Marlins radio contest.

Here's how the Phillies contest works: "The Daily News pays $1,000 for a home run hit in the Payoff inning and $10,000 for a grand slam. Contestants whose batters fail to hit a home run receive a gift pack, which includes a variety of Phillies-related items."

But in the Marlins radio contest you can only win (a 2-year lease on a Mercedes) if the Marlins get a grand slam in the 5th inning.

I don't see a list of winners on the Marlins contest website. Just wondering.

Durbin and Kim Do Battle Tonight

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VICTORY: Fish beat Phils 12-6. Mets beat Braves, Nats win.

Quick, Go To A Game Soon

Good news: the Marlins will not raise ticket pices for 2008. Bad news: that's only for season ticket holders if they renew before January 1. Everyone else will see increases from $1 to $11 a game next year, and the already-expensive parking will go up $5. (SunSentinel)