Number 29 Satchel Paige

While Paige never played for the Florida Marlins, he actually played from 1956 to 1960 on the Triple A team based out of the Orange Bowl called the Miami Marlins. They were affiliated with the Philadelphia Phillies from 1956-1958 and the Baltimore Orioles from 1959-1960. From 1956-1957 Paige pitched for the Marlins to help out Bill Veeck’s struggling Minor League team. Over that span Paige had a record of 21-14, 155 S/O, an ERA of 1.86 in 1956, and an ERA of 2.42 in 1957. Nice numbers, but the reason we should retire his number is because on August 7, 1956 57,000 people came to see him play, the biggest crowd in Minor League history. This also proved that baseball can survive in Miami. Now I know he has never played for the MLB Miami Marlins, but that has never stopped the Nationals from retiring numbers of players that have never put on a Nationals jersey.

Number 7 Iván Rodríguez

July 14, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Florida Marlins former catcher Ivan Rodriguez waves a baseball to the crowd as he is honored during a ceremony before a game between the Washington Nationals and the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Yes, Pudge only played for one season, but what a season. Before the season started he said we were going to make the playoffs. His play at the plate against the Giants in the Playoffs, his NLCS performance, and his leadership in the club house all helped his young team win its second World Series. Though the most important thing of all is his love for the fans and the love that we have for him. I went to the last game in Sun Life Stadium against the Nationals and when Pudge came up to bat the crowd started chanting his name. He called for time, stepped out of the batter box, and tipped his hat to the crowd. What class. It doesn’t stop there. After the game the Marlins had a big celebration with former players and current players and videos of the past. Pudge came out wearing a number 7 Marlins Jersey and said a few words to the crowd. What a great player. He might have been a Marlin for only one year but man did he make such a difference.

Number 18 or 19 Jeff Conine

I love Pudge and Satchel, but if anybody is going to have the honor of being the first Marlins player to have his number retired, it’s going to be Mr. Marlin himself Jeff Conine. Jeff might not have the numbers Pudge and Satchel have but when you think of the face of the Marlins Jeff is the person you think of. He was part of the 1993 Marlins, has an All-Star MVP award as a Marlin, was part of the 1997 World Series team, was part of the 2003 World Series team, retired as a Marlin, and was the first to hoist the World Series banners in Marlins Park. He is still with the organization and is a commentator for FSN. You cannot find one Marlins fan who has something bad to say about Mr. Marlin. He has been and will always be the face of this team and he deserves to be the first Marlin to have his number retired.

Now this is just my opinion. There are plenty of other Marlins who should get their numbers retired; such as Charlie Hough, Liván Hernández (when he retires), Jack McKeon, Gary Sheffield, and so much more. By retiring numbers the Marlins will show that they do have history and have had great players on their team. Beside, that new stadium would look good with some great players’ numbers around it.

Sign P Liván Hernández 1 year 750,000

August 27, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Livan Hernandez (61) celebrates a victory with catcher Jonathan Lucroy (20) against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The Brewers beat the Cubs 15-4. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

It has been stated that Liván wants to continue pitching, so why not bring him back to the team that made him famous? The Marlins don’t have many players they can call their own, but Liván is one of them. This is what the Marlins need to do; they need to call up Liván and come to an understanding with him that after this season he will retire and the Marlins will have a big Retirement tour similar to what the Braves did with Chipper Jones (now I’m not comparing Liván to Chipper just saying what the Marlins could do). Can you imagine Liván Hernández World Series MVP Night, Liván Hernández 15 S/O night, I Love You Miami night, and ending it all with Good Bye Liván Hernández night? This feel good return would drum up some business for the Marlins at a low cost.

Sign P Carl Pavano 1 year 3,000,000

As stated in my “Free Stuff” article, this will be the 10 year anniversary for the 2003 world series team. With Juan and Mike on the team, why not bring back a pitcher who was vital to that team? Carl went undefeated in the ‘03 post seasons, had a 2.35 ERA in the NLCS, and a 1.00 ERA in the World Series. If the Marlins do due something to remember the 2003 World Series, Carl, Mike, Jeff, and Juan would be great in house people to have to remind the fans of our history and to show the club that things will get better.

Sign 1B Jim Thome 2 Years 1,500,000

If you want history, go no further than Jim Thome. Jim is currently at 612 HR for his career. Wouldn’t you like to see a Marlin go for 700, putting him in history with only with 3 other players? Do I think he will get it? Only if he becomes a DH; but think of the spin that the Marlins can pull with this one. Imagine a “Jim Count Down” board in Marlins Park.  It might take a little longer than 2 years (I personally believe it would take at least 4), but when that day comes the Marlins’ name will be in the history books once again. But only if they sign Jim.

Sign OF Johnny Damon 2 Year 3,000,000

July 27, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA: Cleveland Indians left fielder Johnny Damon (33) warms up during batting practice before a game between the Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Let’s stay with history. Johnny is at 2769 hits right now. Can you imagine if he hits 3000 in Marlins Orange? With the exemption of last season and 1995, Johnny has played in over 140 games and has over 130 hits each season. No Marlin has ever reached 3000 hits while wearing a fish uniform. The build up to him doing this would be extraordinary. If they also sign Jim, there could be two countdown signs in Marlins Park. The fans will go nuts with excitement because they are going to be part of history. What if HR 700 and Hit 3000 happen the same day? We would be the talk of sports forever.

Alright, time to come back down to Earth. Is any of that a good idea? Besides the “Liván Hernández Farewell,” no. Look, the Marlins are going into a new direction and in the long run, they have to win to get the fans back. Would I like to see all that happen that I just wrote? Of course! The Marlins have a young team and with time will be a power house in MLB. If the Marlins just want to make money, by all means sign those players, milk those accomplishment for all they’re worth, and promote the heck out of them. But if you want a team that will win, you need to come out to the park and support the young talent we have now. Who knows, we could have another 2006 mixed in with a little 2003 on our hands this season.

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.”

• Catcher: Ivan Rodriguez
• First Base: Derrick Lee
• Second Base: Luis Castillo
• Short Stop: Edgar Renteria
• Third Base: Mike Lowell
• Left Field: Miguel Cabrera
• Center Field: Juan Pierre
• Right Field: Gary Sheffield
• Designated Hitter: Jeff Conine

Then two weeks ago, we completed the poll for the first two starters on this team. Here are they as they stand now:

1. Josh Beckett
2. Kevin Brown

(more…)

Aug 28, 2009; Miami, FL, USA; A Florida Marlins logo is seen near the on deck circle before a game between the San Diego Padres and the Florida Marlins at Land Shark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

• Catcher: Ivan Rodriguez
• First Base: Derrick Lee
• Second Base: Luis Castillo
• Short Stop: Edgar Renteria
• Third Base: Mike Lowell
• Left Field: Miguel Cabrera
• Center Field: Juan Pierre
• Right Field: Gary Sheffield
• Designated Hitter: Jeff Conine

Here is then how the optimized starting lineup would look:

1. Luis Castillo
2. Derrick Lee
3. Ivan Rodriguez
4. Mike Lowell
5. Gary Sheffield
6. Juan Pierre
7. Miguel Cabrera
8. Edgar Renteria
9. Pitcher/Jeff Conine

(more…)