First Win of the Year

Chris Coghlan played at third and Proctor gets the win as the Marlins knock in 3 runs off of Hendrickson to beat the Orioles 3-2, somewhat spoiling the American debut of Koji Uehara.

Missing Commissioner Speaks

The city commissioner whose maternity leave caused the postponement of the stadium votes now says more money must be directed to her districts or she'll vote No. (MiamiHerald)

County Must Keep Jeffrey Alive

Because if the stadium is approved, and Loria kicks the bucket within 7 years, the heirs can sell and the government gets zilch. (MiamiHerald)

Ouch

Alfredo's knee needs rest, and so does Sean's hip. (MiamiHerald)

Sloppy Loss Against Mets

Fish lose spring game number two, 9-0. (MiamiHerald)

March Forth...A Little Slower

The city commission meeting to re-vote on the stadium agreements has been moved a couple of days later, to March 6. (BizJournal)

Lawsuits

The first lawsuit of 2009 to stop the stadium was filed yesterday - the suit seems to try to apply a rejected Braman argument to more recent events. (MiamiHerald)

Playing

The first game of 2009 was played on Wednesday against the Cards, resulting in a sloppily-played, 10-inning tie. (MLB)(MiamiHerald)

Scrimmaging

The Marlins held scrimmages on Monday and on Tuesday.

Good Grief! More Personal Stories...

...about Anibal Sanchez (MLB)

...and Matt Lindstrom (ESPN)

...and Dan Uggla (CanadianPress)

...and Jai Miller (MiamiHerald)

...and Scott Cousins (SunSentinel)

...and even Brandon Turner (TimesFreePress)

...and back to Scott Proctor again (SunSentinel)

...and Cody Ross (MLB)

Well, Hello Neighbors

On the cusp of the next, and possibly last, vote for or against a Marlins stadium, Mr. Samson decides to accept an invitation to meet the potential stadium's neighbors and hear their concerns, while at the same time dealing with their city commissioner who was that fifth vote that didn't show up last time. (cbs4)

Anibal is the First Sign of Spring

Sanchez starts on Wednesday against the Cardinals' Blake Hawksworth.

Even More Personal Stories.....

...about Leo Nunez (MLB)

...and John Raynor (MiamiHerald)

...and Emilio Bonifacio (MLB)

...and Henry Owens (MLB)

...and Chris Volstad (PBPost)

...and Robert Andino (MLB)

...and Josh Johnson (MLB)

...and Hanley Ramirez (SunSentinel)

Lack of 'Fans' and Media = Successful Youth-Oriented Marlins Team

'"Sometimes the talent of the young guys exceeds the experience
advantage held by veterans," (Wes) Helms said. "And sometimes, when you get
a high-payroll team, the chemistry isn't there. They're just a bunch of
superstars on one team and don't' play well together. Here, with all
this youth, it's like one big family."

'And because they aren't performing on a stage in which their every
mistake and move is scrutinized to the level it would in a large
market, the younger players can relax and perform at their best.

'"That's why I think all these kids play so well here, because they
don't have any pressure on them," (Jeff) Conine said. "They don't have a
Yankee Stadium full of people screaming at them every time they strike
out. They can go out there and play and develop their baseball skills
without a lot of outside influence."

'Helms said he has seen young players in other cities melt from the
pressure, from fans and media alike. He noticed it last season with
Phillies pitcher Kyle Kendrick.

'"I'm not going to lie -- they're harsh up there," Helms said of fans
and media in Philadelphia, where he lasted for little more than one
season before returning to the Marlins. "I know Kendrick went through
it last year. He was taking a beating in the papers, and it hurt his
year. A young guy, it can really get to them."' (MiamiHerald)

Still More Personal Stories...

...about Scott Proctor (MiamiHerald)

...and Mike Stanton (PBPost)

...and Chris Coghlan (MLB)

...and Kiko Calero (SunSentinel)

...and Zach Kroenke (MLB)

...and Jay Gibbons. (SI.com)

Four More Years!

At the end of this linked article, just past the news that AM-640 will be broadcasting Yankees games full-time this year, is word that "Fox Sports Florida gave four-year contracts to Marlins announcers Rich Waltz and Tommy Hutton." (MiamiHerald)

More Personal Stories...

...about Ricky Nolasco (PBPost)

...and Cameron Maybin (MiamiHerald)

...and Logan Morrison (SunSentinel)(MLB)

...and Andy Fox's scooter. (PBPost)

11th Hour Drama

It's reported that two city commissioners want competitive bids on the stadium infrastructure work, just the number needed to defeat that part of the stadium deal. (MiamiToday)

MORE: The County Commission has rescheduled their vote again, to March 9. (MiamiHerald)

Up Close and Personal...

...with Kyle Skipworth (Journalnet)

...and Burke Badenhop (MiamiHerald)

...and Wes Helms (MLB)

...and Jason Standridge (PBPost)

...and Jeremy Hermida (MLB)

...and Mike Rabelo (MLB)

...and even Willie Glen. (Post-Trib)

March Forth!

The City Commission moved up their vote on the stadium to March 4; the County Commission follows on March 5. (MiamiHerald)

Ceda's Sore

'Right-hander Jose Ceda won’t throw for three or four days because of discomfort in his right shoulder.

'"He’s got a little something in his shoulder," manager Fredi Gonzalez said an hour ago. "It’s better to slow him down a little bit."' (PBPost)

Wants

The rookies want to get past first-day jitters, and the vets want to get past the rustiness. (MiamiHerald)

Fredi wanted some stability - and now he's got some. (SunSentinel)

Commissioner Gimenez wants the Marlins to give $50 million more for the stadium. (BizJournal)

Today's Stories

Not only is John Baker working hard to stay the Marlins No. 1 catcher, but he's mixing in a little MMA on the side.

Will Ohman has got offers from the Fish, Bucs, and Pads, while Pudge ponders the Mets, Marlins and Astros.

Lindstrom's excited to have a chance to get insight from Joe Nathan while on Team USA.

A Bigger Cup of Joe

FishStripes discovers The Fish Pond, a new Marlins blog by MLB's Joe Frisaro.

Jupiter Doings

Andrew reduces his hip swivel. (CanadianPress)

Hanley "added bulk and muscle", and Fredi may do an early four-man. (MiamiHerald)

Mark attaches strings. (PalmBeachPost)

Anibal "was threading the needle". (MLB)

A Little Bit of Karma

After the Dodgers broke the hearts of the people of Vero Beach last year, it's somewhat satisfying now to see that the team's not doing so hot in Arizona.

Stadium Slapdown

The 'absolutely most important day in Marlins history' was postponed to March 12, as the city commission chaotically split down the middle, and the county commission adjourned without a vote. (MiamiHerald)

But there's some good news - the county's stadium approval vote now needs to be just a simple majority, and not a two-thirds majority as previously thought. (MiamiHerald)

Up north, most Marlins players 'don't give a hoot about the proposed new ballpark. That's because most of them know they probably won't be Marlins by the time one opens. Favorite saying: "I hope the visiting clubhouse is nice."' (FishBytes)

Rebuilds

Andrew Miller arrives with a whole new delivery - if only his knee will hold him up.

And in Lakeland, Treanor's impressed with the new Dontrelle.

Danny Wins Arbitration

Uggla will get almost a million more than the Marlins wanted, and over 12 times more than last year. (SunSentinel)

Ballpark Day in South Florida

Not only is today the day for the two votes for or against the Marlins stadium, but it's also the day that the University of Miami dedicates their new baseball complex to Miamian and newly-crowned 'Mr. Steroid for 2009', Alex Rodriguez.

Thots For Today

The Herald tries to compare MLB baseball stadium deals since 2000, and rates the Marlins deal somewhere in the middle.

Shockingly, given its downbeat stories this past week, the Herald's editorial board urges approving the Marlins stadium.

Danny makes his case, while Fredi decides on his lineup.

Financing Follies

County Mayor Carlos Alverez humbly asks the commissioners on the stage of the Jackie Gleason Theater to vote for the stadium that could possibly cost the county around a billion dollars.

Alverez touts the economic impact of the Marlins, something the town they currently play in hasn't seen much of.

H. Wayne saw a negative impact on his balance sheet when he dismantled the '97 championship team, a decision he now regrets doing (join the club Mr. Moneybags).

More FanFest Stuff

It was "the largest single-day (of) ticket sales in Marlins history". (MLB)

Check LadyFish's FanShots of the FanFest. (FishStripes)

The Infamous Tatiana wielded an impressive bat. (InfamousTatiana)

No Mas!

First supporters of the old convention center, and now builders of the new symphony hall, think the stadium will suck up all the remaining tourist tax dollars. (MiamiHerald)

FanFest - More Shots

Time to feed the fish.

This is just one of the memorabilia tables.

These commemorative colas from 12-or-more years ago sold for less than the ones over at the refreshment stand.

Jai-alai, anyone?

Along with the '97 and '03 trophies, they presented the WBC championship trophy.

FanFest - Celebrities

Dallas McPherson signs things for the fans. (Glenn Geffner's on the left with the headset.)

The Jiffy Lube mascot prepares for a slippery swing.

Billy performs some phrenology on an innocent Royals fan.

Tony Perez at the tables with Logan and Ricky.

Dave Van Horne seems to believe our intrepid photographer needs deodorant.

FanFest - Town Hall Meeting

The crowd formed in the club section for the 2 o'clock meeting.


Left to right: Dan Uggla, Iron Mite, Fredi, Larry, Carlos Tosca, John Baker, Trader Jack and Josh Johnson. That's Dave Van Horne in blue in front of the table.

FanFest - On the Field

Here's what the field looked like, from the home plate side. No Monster Truck Rally could stop this.


The major feature of the day was the line, something anyone had to get into to do anything on the field.


There were of course batting cages (that's Zach Kroenke pitching)...


and pitching cages...


...and more frightening inflatables.

Fanfest Photos - Outside the Stadium

It was a cool, cloudy breezy Saturday. This is overlooking the VIP parking lot, and it's about 1 pm.

The ticket-buying crowd thinned out by that time.

This threatening presence faced fans as they entered the field.

FanFest Photos Coming...

...when I figure out how to do it.

Its FanFest Time

Go there today. Craig leads you to all the info. (FishStripes)

Beach Ballpark Bingo

The Miami Beach Mayor wants the Marlins stadium money to refurbish the Convention Center so that more tourist tax money will come in to fund the stadium. (MiamiHerald)

Catching Catchers

The Marlins nudge towards Pudge, but if he's at too high a cost, then Coste (if the Phils cast him off). Meanwhile Dan flies high to Phoenix to arbitrate his cost. (SunSentinel)

Good News, Bad News

Possible good news?: Dan Uggla is happy with the Marlins, no matter what his agent says.

Possible bad news?: the Miami Times continues its war against the stadium, with opinion writer Michael Lewis pointing out nasty consequences for the city and county embedded in the agreements, and a notice promoting a protest of the stadium next week.

Not-Better Living Through Chemistry

Another Marlins minor-leaguer is suspended because of steroids, even as new Marlin Jay Gibbons continues to try to put the steroid issue behind him.

In other new-Marlin news, Scott Proctor refuses to talk about Torre's book.

Marlins Musings

David Samson says he will "spend the better part of the next two weeks meeting with City of Miami and Miami-Dade County commissioners promoting the ballpark plan." (Let's hope he shows the commissioners the understanding, conciliatory Samson and not the crass, emotionally-stunted, evil Samson.) (SunSentinel)

Samson says season-ticket renewal rates are up, but new season-ticket sales are down. And he's hoping WBC ticket sales will pick up. (blogs.trb.com)

Samson says no long-term deals for players even if the team gets their long-term deal for a stadium. (SunSentinel)

Larry Beinfest wonders if the defense will improve this year. And he's hoping for a healthy Rabelo. And Anibal definitely will not pitch in the WBC. (MiamiHerald)

15 Marlins spring games will be on the radio, and 2 spring games will be televised. (MLB)

"Marlins Chatter"

Barry Jackson reports, among other things, that the Marlins feel good about their pitching and outfield, that Andrew's delivery is being changed "quite a bit", and that Anibal's arm strength shows "a big difference". No talk about their catching, though. (MiamiHerald)

Where's the Money?

The Herald expectedly figures that, even though the county now has a surplus of hotel-tax revenues, the stadium financing plan will be depending on hotel-taxes that may not be there in the future because of the collapsing economy. Commissiners Sorenson and Gimenez continue to be against the plan. (MiamiHerald)

A Few Sunday Notices

Randy Messenger was re-signed by the Mariners after being waived by them earlier in the week. (SeattlePI)

Alex Carver makes the case for the Marlins getting Griffey. (MarlinsToday)

Gamefish takes on the people dissing the stadium design, and sees the bigger picture. (HookLineDrive&Sinker)

The Marlins are one of 8 teams that are not scheduled to appear on national TV broadcasts this year. (BaseballMusings)