Now that I got that out of my system, I want to tell you about my recent trip to a Spring Training Game between our Miami Marlins and the Atlanta Braves at Champion Stadium in Orlando. I has such a blast! In the end the Marlins lost 7-6, but I got to see some great baseball and hang out with some great people. Isn’t that what baseball is really all about, having fun?

Okay, I’ll be the first to admit, I have more fun when my team wins; but I know no team is ever going to go 162-0. With that being said, when we do lose I can still enjoy the majesty of the game and the company of the great people around me. Today, for example, I went to the game with my wife and a co-worker. My wife is a die hard Yankees fan and my co-worker is a die hard Braves fan, not a fun mix right? Wrong, they both love baseball! During some of the down time in the game we just started talking baseball. How are the Upton brothers going to do this year? How many times do you think Dan Uggla is going to mess up a play at 2B? What are the Yankees going to do about Curtis Granderson? How many HR is Giancarlo Stanton going to hit? Things like that. Of course, our conversations took a pause when the game continued, but then we picked right back up where we left off. It was great!

Feb 23, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; Miami Marlins players celebrate their victory over the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium. The Marlins defeated the Cardinals 8-3. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

To make things better, we weren’t the only ones talking. When I go to a game I like to crack jokes. Who doesn’t? My only rules are that they have to be tasteful and not crude. So when I see Dan Uggla misplay 4 balls in a row and then finally make a good play, I razz him a little bit. Mind you, I’m in the Braves facility surrounded by Braves fans, but they all had a good laugh and agreed with me, which then got them to start talking to us. They told us stories about the Braves of yester-years, which then got the Marlins fans that were around talking to us too. We all were laughing and joking about our teams. What other sport can have two teams’ fans talking and joking with each other during a game? Not very many.

What finally made this day amazing was that I got to thank one of my Twitter followers in person who was a big help with supporting me for the MLB Fan Cave this year. His name is Danny Morales. Let me tell you, he is a big fan! Starting from the 4th inning on we were talking about nothing except the Marlins’ past, present and future. He is a very brilliant young man who really knows his stuff. Since I live so far away from Miami, it’s always nice to meet a fellow Marlins fan and pick his brain about our team. It was a breath of fresh air to talk about the Marlins with someone in Central Florida and not have it be all negative.

 In the end, as a fan, baseball is supposed to be a form of entertainment. I pay money to go see a game and enjoy my time at the park. With the “Marlins Family” that is what is going to happen. No matter how bad we lose, we can always find solace in the fact that we will be surrounded by our baseball family. We can talk about the past, the present, and the future of our team, and we can even play bleacher coach for an inning or two. Do I want to win? Of course, but in the end as long as I have my Marlins, friends, and family around me at a game, it’s a win in my book.

July 24, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher

Mark Buehrle had a rare weak outing last night, giving up three walks in a 4-3 loss to the visiting Atlanta Braves.  Lasting only five innings, Buehrle struggled to get ahead in the count.  His frustration peaked in the third inning after issuing a walk to Freddie Freeman with the bases loaded.

In what would later prove to be a pivotal decision, Justin Ruggiano was called out at the plate on a Hanley Ramirez single. After the fact, the telecast replay showed Ruggiano safe.

While the Marlins were able to score three runs in the first two innings,  the Braves’ Tim Hudson only improved across his seven-inning appearance, and the Marlins were unable to post anything more than one base hit for the rest of the game. As an ironic footnote to his career as a Marlin, Hanley Ramirez struck out looking on a full count to log the last out of the game. Shortly after the conclusion of the game, the Marlins announced his (and Randy Choate’s) trade to the Dodgers.

This game is indicative of the fragility of the Marlins this season.  Offensive production is so poor that the team simply folds when any other component slips.  Buehrle has been having an excellent year, so a slip like this every once in a while is no reason to condemn the rotation.

A propos of nothing at all, long reliever Wade LeBlanc lost a pitch that wound up bouncing off of Dan Uggla’s ear flap and into the stands. Uggla wasn’t injured, so I guess it’s OK to let a giggle or two slip out.

Prediction: I still think that tonight’s game will go to the Marlins. Ricky Nolasco continues to pitch well, and I think that Tommy Hanson’s struggle with fastball command shows no signs of abating.

As you all have heard by now, former Marlins star Gary Sheffield told The Michael Irvin Show Tuesday, that the struggling Marlins should give some thought to trading struggling star, Hanley Ramirez. He is not the first one, as Jeff Conine suggested the same last season. Marlins special assistants and Hall of Famers Andre Dawson and Tony Perez have called out Hanley’s immature behavior in the past. Ramirez has had issues with his managers and his teammates in the past as well.

Miami Marlins third baseman Hanley Ramirez reacts during the sixth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Marlins Park. (Image: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE)

Fredi Gonzalez had to bench Hanley a few seasons ago, because Ramirez was “dogging” it on the field. Dan Uggla mocked Ramirez in front of the media because he thought Ramirez was sitting on his league leading batting average. Most recently, Logan Morrison called him out in a clubhouse meeting. This is not like it’s been media members or non-baseball people calling out Ramirez

A Marlins official was asked Wednesday if Hanley’s been better this year.

“Well, he moved to third base fine. It’s not his attitude that’s the big problem — it’s his game.”

That quote actually somewhat contradicts what Sheffield had to say about Ramirez.

“Inconsistency, lack of leadership. That’s what I see with this team. I’ve said it before and I’m going to say it again…Hanley Ramirez is a good player. I just think he thinks he’s great and he hasn’t done anything yet. When you have a monster year people start expecting this every year and he hasn’t delivered. Somebody needs to sit him down and get with this kid and say, ‘Look, you’re not a .250 hitter.’ Unless [he] gets it together I think they need to start looking at moving him and kind of  bringing in more players. He’s the one player than can bring in a lot of players.”

Sheffield’s comments came a couple of days after Hanley Ramirez initiated a players only meeting for the first time in his career. “And he said all the right things,” said one veteran player. “I was impressed.”
The difference between the past times when Ramirez has been called out and this time when Sheffield called out Hanley, well, Hanley was a star shortstop that was producing. Ramirez was arguably a top five player in all of baseball, and that was with his “negative” attitude and lazy play at times. That was an attitude that turned people off from Ramirez, as they felt he was better then everyone else.

I am still writing last season off as a fluke, as I believe that Ramirez’s shoulder was actually worse off then we were led to believe, but the struggles have continued this season.

Maybe Hanley Ramirez has started to decline when he should actually be peaking, in the prime of his career.

What is the reason behind the struggles? I cannot tell you for sure, as I do not have the opportunity to be around Ramirez or the team, but I do have a theory on his struggles this season.

Does Hanley really need to be a team leader?

Do the Marlins really need Ramirez to be a vocal leader for the team to succeed? (Image: Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE)

Last season, the New England Patriots went out and signed now Miami Dolphin wide-receiver, Chad Ochocinco. Ochocinco has been known as a diva, star wide out in the NFL. A lot of people did not believe that the relationship between Ochocinco and the Patriots would work out, as the Pats are seen as a first class organization that does not tolerate the nonsense that Chad often brings out.

As a result of that, I felt Chad played out of character last season, and in turn, that seemed to affect his game. Ochocinco’s game thrived off of his star diva attitude. When the Patriots decided he needed to be quieted down, his mouth and his game went south.

I believe the same applies with Hanley. Ramirez’s level of play has been at superstar level when he has been cocky and confident. Yes, Ramirez felt he was privileged to some plays off on defense and not run out all of the ground balls he hit. He also felt like he was too important to show up on time for team meetings or for practice. Yes, these did cause rifts with his teammates and hurt “team chemistry.”

But honestly, none of that mattered, as Ramirez was able to produce on the field. His talent was able to cover up all of his shortcomings. The Marlins were best off with Ramirez being a cocky, self-absorbed player. Team chemistry is an overrated thing in baseball anyways.

The problem that has persisted has been that the Marlins have continued to try and change Hanley Ramirez and his “attitude.” Maybe the Marlins need to let Hanley be Hanley.

If Ramirez is hitting over .300 and providing you with 25-30 home runs, is there really a need for him to step up and be the team leader? Does he even need to get along with his teammates, as long as he is getting the job done? This is what Ramirez told reporters a day after he called a players only meeting:

“I don’t like to talk too much. I joke a little bit but I don’t like to speak. But sometimes there’s a time when you have too many things in your heart and you just want to say it.”

Talented players like Ramirez do not come around often. He is arguably the best Marlin of all-time, statistically. Yet, in the eyes of Marlins fans, he is as big of a villain as Lebron James is to Cleveland fans.

Yes, it would be ideal for your star player to be a leader, but that is not necessary to win ballgames. Miguel Cabrera is still not a vocal leader with the Detroit Tigers, but you do not hear people calling him out on that.

The case for trading Ramirez can be easily made, and for the most part, fans would not be opposed. Sports is a “what have you done for me lately” type of business. If you do not produce, the fans will be on you right away. Sure, the Marlins could get some prospects out of Ramirez and replenish a farm system that is starved for top prospects.

But the problem for the Marlins right now is, Hanley’s trade value cannot be lower. Yes, a team would still buy low on him and hope that the 28-year old could figure things out and return to his former self. But the Marlins would not be attaining fair value for their player. The Marlins would not necessarily receive the type of package that they would like right now.

Prospects are also not sure things. Marlins fans can attest to that, as the Miguel Cabrera trade to the Detroit Tigers is still fresh on everybody’s minds. Cabrera has continued to blossom into one of the games best players, even with behavior that gets him into trouble with the law, time-to-time.

The Marlins return, none of the six players are with the team anymore. One of them has become a disposable bullpen arm, the other is struggling to find the Mendoza line this season.

Neither player has found much success in the Major Leagues, even though most experts thought that the Marlins received great value in that trade.

In fact, most trades for superstars do not pan out. Just ask the Seattle Mariners and the Minnesota Twins about their recent deals involving Cliff Lee and Johan Santana in the past few seasons.

When you factor that in with the Marlins recent promise to keep a decent payroll, the outside media would look at the Marlins trading Ramirez as a contradiction to that promise. The Marlins image is very fickle with the media, one wrong step, and reporters will be ripping the Marlins apart. ESPN seems to thrive on their analysts picking apart Miami teams.

The Marlins are not trading Hanley, the official said. Especially not now. Certainly not this first year at the new ballpark. Even with the teams June struggles, the team is currently 4 1/2 games out of the wild card. The Marlins have bigger issues then Hanley Ramirez and his struggles this season.

The Marlins are a team full of obvious flaws. Gaby Sanchez has still not found his way to the new ballpark, John Buck has been a major disappointment for the Fish in the first 1 1/2 years of his 3 year contract. The starting staff that carried the Marlins the first two months of the season has come crashing down to Earth.

In order for the Marlins to turn things around, they will need a lot to happen. Maybe the first thing the Marlins need to do is turn their third baseman loose. Stop holding him accountable to be the team leader and step up to guide the team when they are struggling. If they do, the results should follow. If not, then you can cut your losses and trade him away.

Either way, the Marlins 2012 playoff chances hinge of the success of Hanley Ramirez. As Logan Morrison said, “We need him to get big hits and step up and talk the talk and walk the walk.’’

The Marlins do not need to hold Hanley accountable for being the team leader, they just need him to produce on a nightly basis and lead the team on the field with his play.

The Marlins need to let “Hanley be Hanley.”

Giancarlo Stanton hits his 17th home run of the season, this one travels 456 feet. (Image: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE)

Currently, Omar Infante is the only Marlins positional player that has earned enough votes to be among the leaders at his position. That is a very pathetic showing from Marlins fans. Here is a look at the voting, as of yesterday.

Even without the fan voting, Stanton has a decent shot of making the team. It is very unlikely that Stanton’s peers and coaches around baseball will ignore his talents, like the fans have thus far. Though, if they choose to ignore him as well, we can still see him in the home run derby.

Stanton will have a chance to put his power on national display in the Home Run Derby in Kansas City on July 9. Hopefully the rest of the fans of the MLB take note, as going forward, Stanton should be a perennial starter in the game.

“We’re in there,” Stanton confirmed to Marlins beat writers before taking part in B.P today.

June 10, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder

Slips, Slides, and Slumps vs. Regression

OK, I’ll concede that the last few days have been rough.  It was an affront to my sense of order and decency that Dan Uggla drilled my home run sculpture.  He of the seemingly endless parade of errors. Tampa came over for a visit and swatted us like an annoying fly, 13-4.  Out of the last six games, we’ve dropped approximately six (0-and-6 or .000, depending on the brain hemisphere you prefer), and have gone from ½ game to five games out of first, and are knocking once again on the cellar door.

In the last game of the series with Atlanta, both teams logged nine hits. The Braves scored eight runs and the Marlins, two. It got worse.  Here’s a breakdown of the way we capitalized on base hits, as compared to Tampa Bay:

TB:

6/8: 5 runs out of 10 base hits: .500

6/9: 13 runs out of 14 base hits: .929

6/10: 4 runs out of 8 base hits: .500

MIA:

6/8: 1 run out of 7 base hits: .143

6/9: 4 runs out of 8 base hits: .500

6/10: 2 runs out of 7 base hits: .286

Their nadir is our apex, and the standings reflect it.  Our pitchers have given up 11 home runs over the past six games, and we left 47 men on base in the same period.

The strength of our pitching staff kept our heads barely above water in April.  Continued strong pitching combined with good performance by the top of our batting order gave us a record-breaking May.  As we close in on mid-June, our hitters are not figuring out opposing pitchers anywhere near as quickly as our opponents are figuring out ours.

Ozzie Guillen is starting to make some moves, bringing Gaby Sanchez back up and designating Donnie Murphy for assignment. Logan Morrison is back in left field, and time will tell if his stint at first will make him a better fielder than he was before Gaby got sent out for a reboot.

The bottom line remains:  Without improving hitting, especially at the bottom of the order and with runners on base, we are a .500 team with good pitching. Fix that, and we are division contenders. I think our pitching is better than it has been in June, but maybe not as good as it was in May.  Our hitting, with the notable exception of Giancarlo Stanton, has nowhere to go but up.

Looking ahead, we host the Red Sox for three games, and then fly to Tampa with a chance to settle the score with the Rays, and then go to Boston and Toronto before resuming National League play at home against the Cardinals. Boston’s season has been well-documented in the World Where Baseball Exists, so there’s not much point in rehashing ESPN or SI’s analysis of a ball club with locker room problems. Six games with the Red Sox is an excellent opportunity for us to make some headway in the standings.  Facing the Rays in the Trop will be, unfortunately, a rehash of the past weekend unless we add an offensive component to our game. Toronto is about on a par with us, and we’ll be playing under AL rules. Unfortunately, that silences one of our better bats in Carlos Zambrano. Still, they are a beatable team.

Prediction:

Red Sox: We win five of the six.

Rays: We take one of the three.

Blue Jays: Two of three.

My apologies for the recent lack of input from my side of the couch, but I’ve been distracted by a family issue back home and a reluctant lawnmower here.  Output should return to normal as we get deeper into June.