Speaking Streaks - NL West

I'm stopping looking for these 'predictive' streaks after today - the American League will just have to live without knowing the future, I guess.

Let's see if I can explain this again - I'm looking at each team for certain dates within the first two months of the season, dates on which games played through the years have shown historical streaks of 'predictiveness', in that wins on those dates corresponded to winning seasons, and, conversely, losses to losing seasons. I'm also checking game position (from game number one to game number fifty) to see if seeing the seasons that way may also reveal a lengthy 'predictive' streak or two.

Now for the NL West...

---The Diamondbacks have the distinction of having a 'predictive' streak that's lasted for their entire history. Game No. 33 on their schedule has pointed in the direction that their season will end up since 1998 (this year that game's scheduled to be May 10 against the Dodgers). May 8 (which on 2001 WAS Game No. 33) has acted as a 'predictive streak' since 2000, although Arizona didn't play on that date in 2003 or 2006.

---The Dodgers have the most spectacularly long 'predictive' streak in the NL, made even more spectacular by the fact that the next longest streak that they have, in April 23rd games, has lasted only since 2004. The big streak is on May 25 (with gaps in 2000 and 2006 when the team didn't play on May 25), and that streak has lasted since 1994,... and if you discount 1993, when the Dodgers went 81-81, then the streak has continued all the way back to 1990.

---The Giants' longest streak, conversely, has lasted only since 2005, on April 7 (which they already won this year).

---The Padres' longest 'predictive' streak is Game No. 48 on their schedule, a streak that has lasted since 2001. Their next longest streak is Game No. 24, which has gone on since 2002.

---The Rockies' longest streaks go back to 2003, on May 12 and 24, and Game No. 2 (which they lost this year), and Game No. 47.

Defeating the Sweep

Anibal and Felipe do battle this evening.

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(CBSSports)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

WIN: Fish fry Astros 5-1.

Federal Government Hates South Florida Baseball

Before, it was the FAA making onerous demands on improvements for Ft. Lauderdale Stadium that drove the Orioles into the arms of Sarasota. Now a SEC investigation may delay the Marlins stadium's parking garages.

UPDATE: Miami defies Washington (that has a familiar sound) and charges forward to complete the parking garages as late as they usually do, and not any later.

Game Two With a View

The roof should be open tonight.

Josh Johnson and Bud Norris are to occupy the mound.

"FLA are 13-3 in their last 16 Wed. games."

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(CBSSports)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)


OOF: Lindstrom shuts down his former team for the second straight night - Marlins lose 5-4.

NL Central - More Speaking Streaks

As I presented earlier for the NL East, here are some 'predictive' streaks from the first third of the season for the teams of the NL Central.

These are streaks starting sometimes a decade or more ago up to last year, of games occuring on certain dates or certain game numbers when teams consistently have won during winning seasons and lost during losing seasons, thus casting a 'predictive' glow on them. The streaks may or may not continue through this year, and they're probably just results of randomness, but it's interesting anyway.

---The Cubs have one of these streaks going for tonight (April 21), a streak that has lasted since 1998, although they didn't play for two of those years (2003 and 2000). Their next best streaks have lasted since 2004, and are on Game Number 35, May 3 and 6, and on April 6 (which they skipped this year).

---The Reds also have a streak going since 1998, on Game No. 47. And also like the Cubs, their next longest streak is also since 2004, on Game No. 38.

---The Astros' longest early 'predictive' streak has continued since 2004, on the third game of the year (which they've already lost in 2010). Their next longest streaks would be since 2006, on Game No. 43, April 23 and 25, and May 4 and 21.

---The Brewers went 81-81 on 2005. If you choose to ignore that as a push, then they have a streak going since 2003 on April 18 (which they won this year), and since 2004 on April 12 (which they lost). After 2005, they have streaks since 2006 on Game No. 6 (which they won), April 14 (which they lost), and May 20.

---The Pirates' have a streak since 2000 on May 23, since 2003 on April 19 (which they didn't play this year), and since 2004 on Game No. 47 and April 7 (which they already won?!?!).

---The Cardinals' oldest of these streaks is on April 29, which has gone on since 1998 (with gaps in the schedule on 2002 and 2007). Next longest is on May 21 and Game No. 15, which have continued since 2000.

Time For Texas

The Astros have a gift tonight for the Fish - Lance Berkman (with some possible Matt Lindstrom on the side).

Chris Volstad is scheduled to start for the Marlins and Brett Myers for the 'Stros.

Some quick supposed facts from USAtoday...
---"FLA are 7-3 in their last 10 Tue. games."
---"HOU are 6-21 in their last 27 Tue. games."
---"FLA are 7-3 in the last 10 meetings (with Houston)"

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(CBSSports)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

UGH!:Fredi made at least one bettor unhappy last night as the Fish do the flop on another series opener, losing 7-5.

"travzoo"

That's the code that may still work at Astros.com to buy tickets at 40% off for the Marlins series at Minute Maid Park.

No Marlins game tonight - here's today's games anyway...

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(CBSSports)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

Former Fish Follow-Up

Catching up with Jim Eisenreich... (mcall.com)

Kurt Abbott is catching criminals these days... (tcpalm)

And Miguel Olivo caught another no-hitter... (mlb)

OH,...: And Mike Jacobs has been DFA'ed by the Mets. (USAtoday)

Nate-Cole Today

Supposed facts possibly concerning today's game from Miami Herald...
---Nate "will make his first career start against Philadelphia, and is 0-0 with an 18.00 ERA in two relief stints against" Philadelphia... (He is) 1-0 with a 3.60 earned run average in two starts with the Marlins."
---Cole "in his career against the Marlins...is...2-6 with a 4.48 ERA in 12 career starts."
---"Florida and Philadelphia split 18 meetings a year ago, but the Marlins went 7-2 in the City of Brotherly Love."

Supposed facts possibly concerning today's game from Sporting News...
---Robertson "in Tuesday's 10-8, 11-inning loss to Cincinnati...gave up six runs - three earned - and five hits before exiting after the fifth inning...
---(F)ive days earlier...he yielded one run and six hits in five innings of a 3-1 road win over the New York Mets."
---Hamels' last win over the Fish was on "Sept. 22, 2006...(He) is 0-5 with a 4.97 ERA in nine starts against them since, including a 7.08 ERA during a four-game losing streak at Citizens Bank Park."

Supposed fact possibly concerning today's game from SBRforum.com
---"Cole Hamels may have a high ERA, but opposing batter are batting just .156 off of him in his first two starts..."

Supposed facts possibly concerning today's game from USAtoday
---"PHI are 6-2 in their last 8 games following a loss."
---"PHI are 1-8 in Hamels' last 9 starts vs. FLA."
---"FLA are 8-3 in the last 11 meetings."

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(CBSSports)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

YAY-AGAIN: Marlins win 2-0.

Nolasco Vs. Moyer Tonight

Supposed facts possibly concerning tonight's game, from Sporting News....
---"The Philadelphia Phillies are off to their best start in 17 years...spurred by a .315 batting average, 15 homers and a major league-leading 7.8 runs per game."
---"Utley has been...hitting .368 with six homers and 12 RBIs...has homered in four consecutive games,...(and) has feasted on Florida's pitching, batting .354 with 13 homers and 45 RBIs in 50 home meetings. He's also 7 for 23 with a homer against Ricky Nolasco..."
---"Moyer is 13-4 with a 2.93 ERA in 17 starts against the Marlins. However, he's lost his last three home starts against them..."
---Nolasco "is 6-1 with a 4.49 ERA in nine road games,...(and) has thrived at Citizens Bank Park, going 4-1 with a 3.06 ERA in five games, winning the last three."

Supposed fact possibly concerning tonight's game, from Philly.com...
---"Leo Nunez vs. Phillies: The Marlins' closer allowed just six hits in 37 at-bats against the Phillies' regulars."

Supposed fact possibly concerning tonight's game, from USAtoday...
---"PHI are 1-7 in their last 8 Sat. games."

Coghlan's still not in the lineup (oops, sorry, I guess he is). Accuscore's computer flips a coin.

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(CBSSports)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

YAY: Ricky dominates through nine innings - Fish win 5-1.

Back in Town

But still out of the loop. Here's Friday's scores...

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(CBSSports)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

Out Of Town - Day 3

I’m still on the run. But I have time enough to announce that I also approve of the recent moves. Here’s tax day’s games...

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(CBSSports)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

Still Out Of Town

So here's today's scores...

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(CBSSports)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

Finally, Tonight's Games

I had to go out of town today. But here's the scores anyway.

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(CBSSports)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

Reds Arrive

So the saga of the missing scoreboard has been somewhat resolved. And the Marlins have obtained international coverage, not for how they've played so far but for a Saturday brawl in the stands posted on YouTube (hey, we're 2-0 in games where fights good enough to post on YouTube occur).

Now it's time to welcome Cincinatti for a four-bagger. Both Marc Lawrence and the AccuScore Simulation Supercomputer think the Fish will win tonight (we'll just ignore BetUs.com).

Nolasco vs. Cueto is the plan.

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(CBSSports)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

West Coast Knuckleballs Today

Again it's 'Knuckleball vs. Anibal' as No. 49 Charlie Haeger starts for the Dodgers. He did well in spring training and his AAA catcher from last year will be catching today. Marc Lawrence has already called this game a Dodgers win because of Anibal's troubles and Haeger's spring, even though Manny and Russell won't be starting. One could have hope in the fact that the Marlins have had more recent knuckleball experience than most teams, having faced Tim Wakefield twice this spring. But as A.J. Ellis, who'll be catching for Charlie today, says, "I don't think you ever get used to [the knuckleball]."

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(CBSSports)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

KNYUCK-KNYUCK-KNYUCK: Fish win!

'Pivotal' Game Tonight?

The official organs haven't owned up to it yet, but some of us out there know how important tonight's game is. The Marlins apparently do too, as Fredi decided to go with No. 1 Josh Johnson on the mound instead of Anibal. Padilla starts for LA.

The Dodgers have won 11 of their last 14 in Miami Gardens, no matter what they have called the stadium. But the AccuScore Simulation Supercomputer played this game 10,000 times already, and gives the Fish a better-than-55% chance of winning tonight (unless Matt Kemp has a big game of course).

And it's Super Saturday. So go support the highest profit MLB team by buying the sixth cheapest seat, the second most expensive beer, and the most expensive hot dog in the majors.

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(CBSSports)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

SEASON-SALVAGED: Cantu hits the walk-off sac fly that caps off a 3-run rally in the 9th, beating the Dodgers 7-6.

Opening Night in Miami Gardens

A plane is dragging a Geico sign around and around over the area where the stadium is. Soon Scott will sing, fighter jets will fly over, Andre will toss one of the first pitches, and a ball game will commence at Sun Life Stadium, as the Marlins host the Dodgers for their first home game this year.

It's Volstad and Kuroda tonight.

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(CBSSports)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

DRAT: The jets didn't show up, Chris Volstad did pretty good, but Kuroda had the thoughts of a fallen collegue behind him and did a bit better, and then the new usual hijinks ensued - Fish lose 7-3.

Another New Marlins Blog

Try out the stories on Ninety Feet Away.

Game 3 in the Citi

Tonight it's our first real look at Nate Robinson as he starts for the Fish. Wish him a nice long outing - don't want the bullpen to get too stressed.

Jonathon Niese will start for New York.

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(CBSSports)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

TWO-FER: Marlins win 3-1.

Game 2 Tonight

First some good news: Brian Sanches' hammy only has a mild sprain.

Nolasco hopes to continue his spring-training success tonight, while John Maine starts for the Mets.

Both Anibal and Oliver will be available to pitch out of the pen tonight.

Tonight is also the Braves' second game of the year, the results of which, for the past six years, have pointed in the direction of where each of their seasons have ended up.

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(CBSSports)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

AGGH-YAYYY!: Fish win, barely. Braves win, too.

No NL East Games Today

But there's other NL, and AL games tonight - here's the scoreboards...

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(CBSSports)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

Super Sabado

The Super Saturday shows for the first half of the season (except for this weekend's show with Nelly, Kevin Rudolf and New Boyz, and the one with the Michael Jackson impersonator on May 15) will have a distinct Latin-American flavor, beginning with insurance salesman Willy Chirino on May 1. (MLB)

It's Starting Again

The Fish get the show going against the Mets in what's reported to be a glorious day in Flushing.

Clark Spencer asked some pertinent questions about today's game.

It's Josh vs. Johan in the Clash at the Citi.

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(CBSSports)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

CAN-WE-START-OVER?: Santana and 3 errors equals a loss to the Mets.

Spring Cleaning

Before the first game I tidied things up a bit around my line o' links. I've had a Tweets section for a while now, but today I moved a few sleepy blogs to the renamed Hibernating slot, shuffled the remaining ones a bit, and added some new links, including John Baker's blog, Miami Sports Generation, and a new "The Marlins Blog". Earlier I put in First Place Fish.

Baseball Begins

Tonight the RedSox and Yankees slap spheroids around in Fenway on its 99th Opening Day. As i've done the past couple of years to keep track of the games, here are today's scoreboards from six different sports news services. Pick the one you like, or the one that works.

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(CBSSports)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

NL East Future Preview - Let the Streaks Speak

The predictions for the season are being made, some by computer simulation, some through experience and instinct.

My purpose today is to lay out the historical streaks in the early part of past baseball seasons that may give an indication of success or non-success for a team's entire season, and flag those early games for the NL East.

Example: One of the more interesting of these streaks involves the Marlins, and it happens early. Since way back in the post-strike year of 1996, Marlins games played on April 10 have reflected the direction in which each season has finished.

In other words, seasons from '96 on in which the Marlins have won on April 10 have ended up as Marlins' winning years, while those years with losses on April 10 have resulted in under-.500 seasons for the Fish.

With the exception of the 2006 Joe Girardi season, in which the Marlins didn't play on April 10, that makes (so far) thirteen years in a row in which this congruence has occurred.

year    April 10 results   season w/l
1996    FLA @ SDP L 0 3      80-82
1997    FLA @ CHC W 1 0      92-70
1998    FLA @ PIT L 1 4      54-108
1999     FLA PHI L 2 5       64-98
2000    FLA @ MIL L 3 4      79-82
2001    FLA @ PHI L 6 7      76-86
2002     FLA MON L 7 9       79-83
2003     FLA NYM W 4 3       91-71
2004     FLA PHI W 5 3       83-79
2005     FLA WSN W 8 0       83-79
2006        no game          78-84
2007     FLA MIL L 2 3       71-91
2008    FLA @ WSN W 4 3      84-77
2009     FLA NYM W 5 4       87-75

Another (less-spectacular) date is April 19, where this same pattern has occurred for the Fish since 2002. For those who would rather check game numbers instead of dates, Game Number 37 has shown the same pattern since 2003 (Game 37 this year is scheduled to be the May 15th game here against the Mets).

Here now are the dates and/or game numbers for some of the longer streaks of early predictive games for the rest of the NL East:

---THE NATS/EXPOS have a longer one of these predictive streaks than the Marlins, IF you discount the 2005 season where they inconveniently went 81-81, AND the two years (2004 and 2007) when they didn't play on this date - with that in mind, the team now known as the Nationals have been playing predictive games on May 10th since 1995. Their next best streak is the 18th game of the season, where (again discounting 2005) the pattern has continued since 2001.

---THE METS have had a predictive streak going on May 19 since 2002, but within that are three years when they didn't play ('03, '05 and '08). Better is Game No. 33, which has no gaps in the streak (unless they stop playing at Game No. 32), and has also lasted since 2002.

---THE BRAVES' longest early predictive streak is on May 10, which has been going on since 2002 (with a break in 2004). They have a much earlier one of these streaks, though - the second game of the season has been foreshadowing their season's results since 2004.

---THE PHILLIES' longer streaks of the early part of the season happen later - they have one since 2002 (with a gap in '06) on May 15, and since 2005 on the 49th game of the year.

Former Fish News

Wichita Wingnuts' co-owner Nate Robertson returns to the Marlins, who sent Jay Voss to the Tigers.

Dave Dombrowski made the deal when Dontrelle reclaimed a spot in the Tigers' rotation.

Also, Lindstrom wins the Astros' closer job and Kevin Millar was cut by the Cubs.

MEANWHILE: Wood and the Hurk are sent to Nawlins. And McClung's gone.

Quickie Update

This one article pretty much covers this weekend and the week ahead.

Andrew's Out

The Marlins' players' rep is sent down to the Minors to continue his career-long search for consistency. Clay Hensley looks to be Mr. No. 5.

Knuckleball, Gyroball News

Wakefield starts against the Fish again, this time today in Ft. Myers, and now he has Dice-K following him up for a couple of innings.

Meanwhile, the threat of NL knucklers is lessened as the Mets sent R.A. Dickey to Minor League camp.

RECAP: The Fish got to Wakefield in his last inning but it wasn't enough.

Win, Win, Win, Win

To entice the 600 or so Marlins fans out there, here's a chance to win Opening Night tickets.

Wednesday's Wonders

The Marlins sent Cameron's roommate Mike Stanton down for 'seasoning', meaning he'll be back up sometime this season.

Strickland still has a shot. Nunez gave up a homer in today's Twins loss but he is still the closer.

Carroll strained his left oblique today, which could give an opening for Barden or Lamb to do some last-minute impressing.

It seems, though, to really be a part of this team, you'll either need a toy car or take up golf.

To finish up, time to participate in a moment of silent cantankerousness, to remember FishChunks fan and Samson skewer John Brattain, who passed a year ago today.

MacDougal's Gone, And Lots of Catchup

Yes, Mike was released, as was Turnbow, and Hunter was sent to AAA. (palmbeachpost)

Hunter joins Taylor, Cristhian, Scott, Jai and Scott, while Ceda went to AA and Jimenez gets tossed back to the Red Sox (which is good for Gaby). Kasey, Vinny and Danny are in Minor League camp.

Bryan is the Condor and Mike is the Worm. And Baker's running out of training time.

Samson is shocked, Shocked to discover someone may be hiring outsiders to build the stadium.

FORMER-FISH-NEWS: Wish a speedy recovery to Lenny. Matt has ended up in Texas. And Hermida's stunned by the sight of actual fans.

Puerto Rico Pussy-Footing

Maybe today, the inevitable announcement will be made, as all parties involved have a conference call to iron out whatever problems are left

RESOLUTION!!: As you probably know by now the San Juan Marlins officially debut June 28, and fittingly the game is not scheduled for live broadcast in Florida.

Another Update

The Fish give the Nats their first win this year. And Josh gave the game to the Braves. The Marlins also give Mike Lowell a look-see. On Monday the Fish beat the Twins. Hanley's back but Stanton's sore.

Stadium Shots

I was down by the stadium construction site yesterday, and we took a few shots...







MORE: The team took the press for a tour on Tuesday. (miamiherald)

Arizona Gazes Eastward, Laughs

Most Grapefruit League games, including the Marlins in Sarasota, are rained out today. (palmbeachpost)

More Stuff

The Marlins are featured on MLB Network Friday at 5pm ET. (mlb)

Ross, Baker and Turnbow may see action this weekend. (mlb)

But Tucker and Voss have been sent away. (fishbytes)

Hanley remembers his Red Sox years. (bostonherald)

Wed. April 14 at Cincinatti; Tues. April 20 at Houston; Fri. April 23 at Colorado; Tues. April 27 vs. San Diego; Sat. June 5 at Mets; Sat. June 12 at Tampa Bay; Sat June 26 vs. San Diego; Mon. June 28 vs Mets in Puerto Rico; Sat July 3 at Atlanta; Sat Aug. 28 at Atlanta; Sat. Sept. 11 at Washington; Sat. Oct. 2 vs Pittsburgh. Those are the games not being televised by (FIX) Fox Sports Florida or SunSports this year. (What does it mean when 66.6% of the blacked-out games played at home are against the Padres?) (FishStripes)

ADDENDUM: The June 5th, July 3rd, and August 28th games are scheduled as FOX network Saturday games. (awfulannouncing)

NEW-ADDENDUM: The June 12th game at Tampa will be on SunSports, but as a Rays broadcast. (RaysTVSchedule)

More Catch-Up

The Marlins got knuncked around by the Red Sox Tuesday,, whupped some Astros on Wednesday, and allowed Leo to lose today.

Knuckleball Vs. Anibal

It's Wakefield and the Red Sox against the Marlins at Jupiter today.

Three-Day Catch-Up

The Marlins beat St. Louis 6-5 on Saturday, but the Cardinals beat the Fish 7-4 on Sunday. In Sunday's game West, Miller, and MacDougal 'failed to impress', to put it nicely, and Maybin strained his groin.

The Fish split the squads today. The Nats lose to one squad by the score of 11-2, and oddly the Mets beat the other squad 11-2.

IN-OTHER-'NEWS": Hanley's growing up, Valentine says he wasn't offered Fredi's job, and Parcells checks out Stanton, who hit his first GL homer Friday.

Today's Spring Stories

Bryan Petersen made an impression. The Mets signed Kiko. Jai Miller has improved. Jorge Jimenez may surprise. Tankersley returns. Larry and/or Michael is/are good. Tourists in Miami give more money for the stadium. And the Miami Marlins curling team are in the championships.

The Fish face the Mets in PSL at 1:10 ET.

OUCH: Baker's right arm is sore.

The Real Start

The Fish start off Grapefruit League play today with a home game against a split squad of Nationals. (mlb)

WIN: Marlins beat Nats 10-4. (cnn)

Knuckleball Knews

Eri Yoshida gets to meet her inspiration - Tim Wakefield. (ESPN)

Meanwhile, the National League will have an outside chance of facing a knuckleballer this year, if R.A. Dickey somehow gets on the Mets' roster. (mlb)

In fact, Dickey's starting Thursday against the Cardinals in Port St. Lucie. (mlb)

Crack vs. Ping

Wednesday it starts all over again, as the Marlins with their wooden bats gets it going against the aluminum Hurricanes.

In other news; Turnbow's toe exploded, Luis Castillo has been teaching Bonifacio, Coghlan is always saying yes, and The Mets are thinking Kiko.

WIN-DY: The Fish blew the Hurricanes out of the building with a 19-3 win. (sun-sentinel)(mlb)(palmbeachpost)(miamiherald)


UPDATE: All Marlins are now signed. (MLB)

Question Time

Manny Navarro asks and answers five questions about this spring's crop of Marlins. (miamiherald)

Not to be outdone, Juan C. Rodriguez answers ten questions about the Marlins. (sun-sentinel)

There are no questions, though, about who Fredi wants starting for the first week of exhibition play. (palmbeachpost.)

Joe Capozzi did ask Jeff Conine some questions. (palmbeachpost)

No-Pressure-Jeffrey Talks to Press

"I expect us to make the playoffs." "We should have been one of eight (playoff teams) last year and I was disappointed at the end of the season" "If we would have won one more game each month, we would have won 93 games and we would have been in the playoffs." "Fredi is here to bring the team to the next level, and that's what we're hoping happens this year -- that little extra push that needs to happen." "I think you know my history long enough to know that I'm in this game because I want to win, and we'll do whatever it takes." (PBPost)(mlb)(sun-sentinel)(miamiherald)

Visions of White Castle

Both Pinto and Volstad are working on sliders.

Play Has Begun

Pitchers and catchers reported last week, and the media is providing coverage. There's posts on new Marlins coaches Dave Collins and Randy St. Claire. Anibal lost weight through either hiring a nutritionist or working out with John Salley. MacDougal's feeling good. Uggla and Turnbow are reliving old high-school days. ESPN came by today and chatted with John Baker. We have double the Dan Jennings. Chris Leroux's team is getting frosted.

Friday's Findings

Marlins sign Nationals closer Mike MacDougal. (mlb)

It seems official - the Mets got confirmation that they'll be playing the Fish in Puerto Rico at the end of June. (nydailynews)

Pinto Problems

Barry Jackson reports Renyel irritates the front office. (miamiherald)

Co-Dee! Co-Dee!

Mr. Ross squeezes a few more dollars out of Jeffrey. (mlb)

More FanFest Pics

As promised here are some Marlins. First Wes Helms with Glenn Geffner.



Then Rick VandenHurk.



And Dan Meyer.



Josh Johnson sits with a kid.



The Billys give some fish affection.



And now here's the Mermaids!

FanFest Pics

Well, I did end up at FanFest. Got there about a quarter to four. Here are some shots...



The last leavings of last week's Super Bowl...



...outside the stadium...



...and on the field.



Here's the scene of the field from the pressbox.



And here's what that view would look like in the new purple-seated stadium.



Mr. Organ Man was there.

Pictures of Actual Marlins in the next post.

FanFest!

I don't think I'll be making it out there today, but you get out there and enjoy going to a place for free where people just a week ago paid $3000 a ticket to get in. (Sun-sentinel)

Friday Features

The Jammers will be playing in Fenway this July - get your tickets soon. (post-journal)

Craig covers this year's promotions. (FishStripes)

The Marlins sign Mike Lamb. (sun-sentinel)(miamiherald)(palmbeachpost)

Chris Coghlan gets the Sports Club of Tampa Bay's Outstanding Professional Athlete Award tonight. (tbo)

Things Talked About

FishStripes discusses the non-roster invitees and the caravan.

Josh Johnson has lost a little weight.

The Maniac's Michael Jong wonders why Joe Frisaro dismissed a fan's suggestion about Uggla playing third.

Juan C. says Beinfest's sure that Uggla can play third, but it "isn't likely".

And 'Right Field Bleachers' gets a long interview with Seth McClung. (Short version: he's glad he's a Marlin, but he Loved being a Brewer.)

Weekend Writings

June 5, July 3, and August 28 - the dates Fox has the Marlins scheduled for Saturday TV games. (sportsjabber)

A former Marlins scout will be managing a pro baseball team on the island of Maui. (mauinews)

Who knows where Fredi would be if he could've hit the breaking ball? (americanchronicle)

Samson will bring his new rock star buddy to the Super Bowl. (palmbeachpost)

Headline: 'Super Bowl XLIV: The Least Baseballiest Championship Ever' (blogcritics)

But the Marlins honchos will be schmoozing with corporate mucky-mucks tomorrow. (mlb)

Groundhog Day Moves

The Marlins sign Seth McClung, make an offer to Russell Branyan, have lost Alfredo to the Dodgers, and avoided a return of Kevin Gregg.

Meet New Bullpen, Same as Old Bullpen

The Fish are trying to bring back Clark Kent and Kiko. (palmbeachpost)

The News From the Front

John Baker reports from Kuwait and Iraq. (miamiherald)

AND: Here's the 'Marlins Visit the Troops: Iraq 2010' blog.

Marlins Roll The Dice Again

The Fish sign Derrick Turnbow and Jose Veras to minor-league deals. (sun-sentinel)

MORE: They also sign Danny Richar, and Baseball Prospectus is not impressed. (palmbeachpost)

Thursday's Tidbits

Alfredo "worked out for four clubs last week", says Ken Rosenthal. (foxsports)

'Marlins Hood' shows displeasure at the Marlins' latest advertising slogan. (MarlinsHood)

Our favorite small-market owner just spent $22.5 million for 13.4 acres of Long Island land. (cityfile)

The Maniac examines the Hopper. (MarlinManiac)

Andre Dawson, Alex Arias, Bruce Aven, Chris Hammond, Cookie Rojas, and Orestes Destrade are expected to show up with many other former ballplayers for the DiMaggio Legends Game this Saturday afternoon at Fort Lauderdale Stadium. (MiamiHerald)

Live chat with Logan Morrison at 3pm Friday. (sun-sentinel)

Tuesday's Things

Marlins in Kuwait, will stay in military bases. (miamiherald)

Maybin in Jupiter, rooting for the Saints. (palmbeachpost)

Cody's arbitration hearing is set for two days after FanFest. (sun-sentinel)

The Marlins had interest in Rick Ankiel, says Rick Ankiel. (brownsvilleherald)

Stats and Speculations

Barry Jackson discovers that the Marlins are actually looking to acquire relief pitching.

NEW-NAME NUMBERS: In the years when the stadium has a name change ('96, '05, '06, and '09) the Marlins have a combined .506 win percentage (328-320). For all the other years the Marlins win-loss total is at 955-1083, for a .469 win percentage.

J.J's Pay Days

Josh throws the first pitch at the not-nearly-finished stadium, and signs his 4-year deal. Here's some highlights, or you can watch the full press conference. More stories from MLB, MiamiHerald, PalmBeachPost, Sun-Sentinel...

QUICK: Town Hall Meeting at 5:30 ET Today!

Beinfest and Hill attempt an over-the-phone town meeting to answer your questions, in about a half-hour from now. Here's the link.

Replay Day

Fox Sports Florida is replaying some of last year's Marlins games, one every Wednesday at noon until February 24. Today it's April 19 against the Nats, and a particularly good game for our newest arbitration candidate, Cody. (here's the full schedule)

It's Only You And Me And We Just Disagree

Cody and the Marlins will be facing the arbitrators next month. (sun-sentinel)

'Some' What?

Not 'Some' - 'Sun!',... as in the brand-spanking new name for the NFL-declared obsoletarium that the Dolphins, Hurricanes and Marlins play in. It's now Sun Life Stadium, named for a financial concern that hopefully has at least a bit more legitimacy than the one that named good ol' Enron Field in Texas.

MORE: Hey, they seem to have some money, and they're Canadian too. (Wikipedia)

Crashing Economy Helps Miami with Parking Garage

MiamiHerald

A Couple of Fishy Notes

Samson goes on the radio, says nothing, still gets cursed out.

This year's auditions for both the Manatees and Mermaids will be held Sunday at the Seminole Hard Rock, to accommodate those individuals who will be trying out for both teams.

Marlins Spend Money on a Player!

The MLB Surveillance Team can now stare at $39 million for 4 years of Josh Johnson, $16 million and a year more than what the Marlins had previously offered. (MiamiHerald)(PalmBeachPost)(MLB)(FishStripes)

2nd-Place Marlins Ordered to Spend Like Reds, Brewers, Etc.

The Players' Union and Commissioners' office jointly tells the Marlins to spend more money on more expensive players or start paying fines. Samson squeaks that the Marlins have always abided by the Basic Agreement, but will now continue to follow the Basic Agreement. Tons of fun commentary ensues....FishStripes...sun-sentinel...Tyler Duffy...Jon Paul Morosi...Joe Capozzi...Fish Bytes...Marlin Maniac...Maury Brown...Bleacher Report...David Pinto...Brewers Bar...Imperfect Game...Marlins Hood...Prince of New York...Greg Cote...

So Much For The Rumor Mill

The Reds slip under the radar and surprisingly sign Aroldis Chapman. (BleacherReport)

Far-Flung Fish

Dan Uggla won't be playing at LandShark Stadium next year...but none of the other Marlins will, either. (mlb)

It looks, though, like they will be playing at Hiram Bithorn Stadium, and some will even be going to Iraq. (Sun-sentinel)

The Hawk Has Landed

Andre Dawson becomes the first Marlins player to get into the Hall of Fame. Reactions fromFishStripes...marlins.com...Jeffrey...Andre...Marlins Hood...Joe Capozzi...Marlins Die-Hards...Dave Hyde...Marlin Maniac...Fish@Bat...Baseball Musings

News and Stuff

Make that six teams wanting Aroldis Chapman.

The Sun-Sentnel's Dave Hyde picks the 2003 championship as the biggest South Florida sports story this past decade.

The Herald's George Richards thinks the new Marlins stadium could logically sustain a visit from the NHL Winter Classic.

A Bit of New Year News

Joe Frisaro declares J.J. may stay for two years, the front office will be active in January, the Phillies are the class of the division, and people need to get their history straight.

Miami's mayor finds two subcontractors who are filling the new stadium with outsiders.

Want to live to 100? This Marlins fan did.

Merry "Chris"-mas

Have a good one out there, as we read two stories of Mr. Coghlan - one on his memories of Christmases as a kid, and the other on how the guys his late father worked with still remember that kid.

Misdirection

The Marlins try to sign a young Cuban pitcher to a long-term deal, and Josh is reportedly not angry.

Mr. Marlins Discovered

Jeff Conine may be Mr. Marlin, but I'm giving the title of "Mr. Marlins" to Fredi Gonzalez, because I know of no other person who has been so involved in so many versions of the Marlins. His Wikipedia bio shows not only that he was the first coach in the Florida Marlins organization, the manager of the Marlins' AA team in 1997, the third base coach for the Marlins in 1999 and 2000, and the Marlins manager since after the 2006 season, but his first managing job ever was with what previously had been the second incarnation of the Miami Marlins, and in 2002 he was with the Richmond Braves, which was the transplanted original Miami Marlins.

Friday's Flashes

Rickey gets a 58% raise. (fishstripes)

Jose Ceda seems healthy. (mlb)

Gookie gets caught. (mlb)

Nick Johnson's almost a Yankee. (nypost)

Eri Yoshida will be pitching in the US. (baseballmusings)

Cracked Stat Report: Baseball Verses Football

One of the many problems that is pointed out about the baseball park that for at least the next five minutes is known as LandShark Stadium is that it actually is not really a baseball park. A football team known as the Miami Dolphins has tromped all over the playing field for the latter part of every season of the Marlins' existence, and for the last two years the U. of M. Hurricanes has done even more of the same.

The question explored here is what effect, if any, this shared arrangement has had on the win/loss records of everyone involved. To examine this, we'll be using historical data from Baseball-Reference.com, and for the Dolphins from Phins.com, whose records thankfully include the pre-seasons. We'll go back through every season up to 1995, since the strike of 1994 truncated the dual-use part of the season early, and the Phins.com stats don't go back to '93.

First, does the first pre-season football home game mess up the first home Marlins game that follows it? This game can be as soon as the next day after (as in 2002) or as late as ten days later (as in 2004). The record shows that from 1995 on the Marlins have a 6-9 record in the first home baseball game after the first home pre-season football game, although in the last eight years they have evened it up to 4-4.

One would think that baseball games scheduled to be played the day after a football game would be affected by a more roughed-up condition of the field. The record shows that, so far, that negative effect is being suffered mostly by visiting teams. Since 1995 the Marlins are 8-4 in home games played on the day after a football game. It's reversed though when the Marlins start a home series 2 days after the ravages of football, as the Marlins in that situation have a 3-6 win/loss record.

Adding it all together, from 1995 to 2009 the Marlins have (by our count) a 464-409 win/loss record (.532 win percentage) in home games played before the first pre-season home football game, and a 192-151 record (.560 win percentage) in home games played afterwards (including post-season games, in which the Marlins have an 11-6 home record, which if taken away still leaves the Marlins with a .555 win percentage during football).

If you think that we will now be giving up a natural advantage once the team moves to the new digs and away from football, it should be noted that so far in the Fredi Gonzalez era the Fish sport a .522 home win percentage before football starts (94-86) but only .476 during football (30-33). (Maybe this is why Jeffrey was so ready to eject Fredi last season.)

Now how did the Dolphins do, playing off and on the dirt of the diamond? The Dolphins usually play only 1-3 regular-season games a year on baseball dirt, but I would've guessed there would still be an effect. There may be, but there appears to be a dividing line between two different eras. From 1995 to 2002 the Dolphins went 16-0 (!) in home games played during baseball (after baseball ended they were 30-18), but from 2003 to the present their win/loss record on the sandy infield is at 4-7 (after baseball 22-20). The Fins haven't won a game on top of the diamond that counts in the standings since 2006.

And just to finish it up, the Hurricanes have won both games that they have played on the baseball field.

Monday's Happenings

The Fish announce four minor-league signings. (sun-sentinel)

And here's another one. (heraldtribune)

The Marlins announce a holiday deal for tickets that cost less than parking. (blogs.trb.com/)

Andy Fox lands a coaching job with the Mariners' AA team. (oursportscentral)

Another lawsuit against the stadium loses on appeal. (courthousenews)

With Paulino's re-signing, the catching position is considered solid. (mlb)

And the Fish may have enough money for Capps. (fishpond)

Tender Is The Night

The Marlins must tender contracts to ten players by 11:59 ET tonight, or watch them sign elsewhere. (mlb)

UPDATE: Alfredo is now a free agent. And the Nats let Scott Olsen loose. (palmbeachpost)

MORE: And just like that, Scott Olsen re-signs with the Nats. (mlb)

Here's Your Hat, Matt

Lindstrom is shipped to Houston for minor league pitcher Robert Bono, minor league infielder Luis Bryan, and a player to be named. Beinfest says of his empty bullpen, "It's something that we're looking at".

UPDATE: Clark Spencer explains that the trade was made for that "player to be named", whose name is now known.

IN-OTHER-NEWS: The Pirates pick up John Raynor in the Rule 5 draft, and the Maniac discusses him at the Rum Bunter blog.

Gload Goes

Ross does the Wes-Helms Shuffle, signs with Philly. (.sun-sentinel)

Marlins are Keeping JJ

It seems the Rangers literally offered up their future to acquire Josh, but the Fish didn't budge. (i-yankees)

Chilly Indy Heating Up

Lindstrom and Pinto and Uggla, and even Anibal and Alfredo, are being talked about at the Winter Meetings.

In other news, Fredi spent his Friday not shooting deer.

Weekend Stuff

The Marlins have signed six minor-league free agents and are actively shopping Matt Lindstrom.

Today's Stuff

Billy Wagner stays in the NL East. (associatedcontent)

Now that the turkey leftovers are done, the Marlins and Hunt-Moss construction just gave out 100 Christmas trees to Little Havana residents. (kiksmedia)

Larry says "We feel pretty good about this club" but then he says "we're definitely going to be active" looking for trades at next week's Indianapolis meeting. (mlb)

Joe Frisaro gives his take on what the Marlins are looking for. (mlb)

And San francisco is "showing persistent interest" in Danny Boy. (mlb)

Samson is confident that the parking garages will be built, even though the city's taking its own sweet time in getting the money. (mlb)

For those missing live baseball, two Venezualian Winter League teams will play two regular-season games this Saturday and Sunday at the Homestead Baseball Complex. (miamiherald)

And the Miami Hurricanes will start its season Feb. 17 at home against Rutgers, and will pop in a game with the Marlins March 3. (miamiherald)

Full Moon News

To celebrate tonight's full moon I finally totalled up the win-loss record of the 2009 Marlins during the different phases of the moon, and during the times between the phases. Here it be...

      ,_______._______._______._______._______._______._______._______.
      ||  new  |       | first |       |  full |       |  last |       |
year  ||  moon |       |  qtr  |       |  moon |       |  qtr  |       |
------||-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|
2009  || 10- 6 | 10-10 |  8- 9 | 16-13 | 11- 8 | 15-10 |  9- 5 |  8-14 |
------||-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|
2004- || 43-43 | 70-59 | 41-48 | 49-69 | 46-34 | 60-58 | 40-37 | 50-62 |
 2008 ||       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
------||-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|
total || 53-49 | 80-69 | 49-57 | 65-82 | 57-42 | 75-68 | 49-42 | 58-76 |
------||-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|
win-% || .520  | .537  | .462  | .442  | .576  | .524  | .538  | .433  |
------''-------'-------'-------'-------'-------'-------'-------'-------'

In the original post I made light of the possible validity of this metric; now it's getting ever-so-slightly spooky. The totals at the end of the last six seasons show the Marlins have consistent yearly losing records in games played during the first quarter phases, and have had winning records each year during the full moons. And they weren't that great, and getting much worse, in games played between the last quarter and new moon. Of course we must be within the statistical bounds of probability here. Of course.

Things Etc.

The Marlins don't offer arbitration to Donnelly, Gload, Calero, or Nick Johnson. (mlb)

Juan C. says trading Hanley makes no sense, and that someone told him the Marlins will be raising payroll next year. (sun-sentinel)

In fact, the Marlins raised their average player salary by 52.95 percent in 2009, tops of all MLB teams. (bizofbaseball)

And the 2009 squad made some extra second-place money, too. (fishstripes)

Former Fish owner John Henry seems to have a problem with the current Fish' front office's tactics. (fanhouse)

And Cliff Eastham has a problem with calling the Marlins "the Fish". (bleacherreport)

The Hurk went 7 innings in Puerto Rico on Sunday. (mister-baseball)

As for Dan Uggla (remember him?) it looks as if the Rangers aren't interested in him after all. (mlb)